THIS AGE OF CHUTZPAH

By Ryhaan Shah

So, you no longer have to wake up early, beat the traffic to get to work, then do the reverse in the afternoon or evening to get home. You are retired and have time now to do anything or everything you want. Some of us approach retirement with this mindset and embrace this as a time of freedom to pick up that hobby or improve that game we have been longing to pursue.
We may already have a plan to learn to play the guitar, plant a garden, improve our chess or tennis game, or take our grandchildren out on regular fishing trips.
We wake up each day with a sense of purpose and continue to feel fulfilled with our lives, perhaps more so than when we were working away at our careers. However, there are a number of retirees who drift into despair. They may begin to feel irrelevant and that they are no longer needed. If most of their sense of self-worth is linked to their careers and to providing for their families, retirement could mean loneliness, loss of confidence, and depression.
Family and friends can help by ensuring they are always included in family outings and social events. If the depression is severe, however, there may be a need for therapy and medical intervention.
I do not believe that we have a high suicide rate among older adults in Guyana, where the tradition of the extended family and caring for our elders has not entirely disappeared. However, in the United States, for example, where the elderly can be living alone and without many social connections, suicides among the elderly stand at about 22 per cent. This is high when you consider that older adults comprise 16.8% of the population.
Albert Einstein, the greatest scientific mind of the 20th century, advised, “Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the great mystery into which we were born.”
Research shows that older adults are often the happiest group of people. We have a strong sense of self because we know who we are and what truly matters to us. This self-acceptance can be liberating and can lead to greater confidence and greater satisfaction with our lives.
Many of us consider spending time with our grandchildren one of our greatest joys, as it allows us to experience the wonders of childhood without the typical pressures and daily responsibilities of parenting. This is often a special relationship for everyone involved: the grandchildren, their parents, and us.
With age comes the kind of experience that gives us a clearer view of what truly matters in our lives and life in general. Many older people enjoy a sense of independence and live life on their own terms without the need to impress others or conform to societal norms. It can make for indulgent eccentricities since we become less concerned about other people’s opinions.
“Old age is an excellent time for outrage,” said Maggie Kuhn, the American activist who founded the Panthers movement when she was forced to retire at age 65. “My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.”
She is also credited for the witticism: “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes.” She lived to age 89 and was known and admired for her undying chutzpah.
She had that kind of fighting spirit and sense of wonder about the world that keeps us young at heart. Having a longer life perspective, we often have a clear sense of history and a wider view of the world. With this broad perspective on life, we can appreciate the bigger picture and choose not to “sweat the small stuff”.
There is no question that experience brings wisdom and a greater ability to cope with life in general – the good, the bad, and the ugly. We can focus on our well-being and prioritise self-care since we often become more attuned to our health and make choices that support a more balanced and healthy life.
The joys of ageing include increased wisdom, a deeper appreciation for life’s simple moments, and more meaningful relationships with family and friends. We often have a greater sense of emotional control, less worry about others’ opinions, and more free time to pursue hobbies and passions.
With advances in modern medicine and increasingly better health care available locally, we can look forward to enjoying better health, greater independence, and a richer life experience with family, friends, and the world at large.