WELL here goes... this is my first "official" column in the rebirth of "Stranger in a Strange Land." In my intro column a few weeks back, I explained the title of my column. But in case you missed it, I just wanted to say again that I didn't mean to say the Philippines is strange in any way. Rather, it is all about when one is away from home/familiar sights and sounds. Isn’t it true that you are indeed the stranger...in a land that is strange (i.e. Not familiar) to you?
So having said that, let me jump into my thoughts at the moment. Not sure when this will be published but it is being written a day before Baguio goes from enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine... so we have been under a form of lockdown for eight weeks at this point in these "Daze of Covina-19." I coined the phrase, chose the word Daze rather than Days as, indeed, isn’t that what it has felt like? One moment in mid-Feb, we are still planning events with friends, overseas travel, etc. Then, suddenly, in mid-March, in the blink of an eye, we are into districts, distance and dire predictions of doom. We are wearing all sorts of masks and visibly nervous when the person next to us gives out a muffled cough.
There has been an "issue" that has been popping up... and that is the welfare of us Seniors (I turn 67 maybe in August/why maybe explained later). So, of course, I have my views on the matter.
My thoughts on the whole "protect the seniors" issue:
First... no hard feelings. I do truly respect the "good intentions" of those who advocate it. But (there’s a but) reality check...age is just one factor. The other two are emotional wellbeing and physical wellbeing.
So one-third of that equation is truly out of my control.
I was born in 1953 and will turn 67 (perhaps) this August. Hihi.
"Perhaps..." not due to being senior but c'mon guys, no one guarantees us our next birthday or even tomorrow, eh.
But for the other two... I’m doing just fine.
Physical... semi-fit daily cyclist who has a Yoga practice with a bit of home Crossfit/Core and Cardio thrown in.
ZERO maintenance drugs.
Emotional... Happy Go Lucky Buddhist with a meditation practice and a wide circle of friends & a loving partner to keep me grounded.
In Summary...
Let's not judge a book by its cover... nor a person by their birth date.
So I would vote for the more common-sense approach... let's admit that is more a matter of lifestyle choices and good or bad habits that determine the fitness of a 65-year-old from a 35-year-old.
Now a good buddy of mine, JP in La Trinidad, has recently been advocating that politics in this era should more rightly be the time of those 60 and under. They are more up on the new technology and tools and vision to create a better society. It might surprise you as at this point I pretty much agree with JP. The syndrome of politicians trading roles and positions over the years without much fresh thought or vision has, indeed, been for the most part counterproductive.
Anyhow, a wise Baby Boomer should know when to lead and when to graciously step aside. Nothing wrong at all with new Blood and new ideas. If we did our job right then maybe they will lead us well and in many cases even better.
585 words or thereabouts