Dear members
I was reading the Straits Times this past weekend, the article “Are you past your prime at 50?” sparks off some interesting thoughts. Many of you reading this article is probably not far from that mark, well, I am not 😉
Paraphrasing the article, one of the reasons, we as a society, is getting “old” faster than we should, is because many of us are leading too fast paced lives, putting in long hours because we are eager to get ahead. In the relentless pursuit for success and well being, we have lost a little of the human touch, like valuing seniority and life experiences. Replacing slightly older workforce all in the name of renewal.
I am near 50, slight more than half-time, assuming I live until I’m 80 (and that’s a big assumption because I’ve learned that the only thing you can expect in life is the unexpected). I am half way home – half way through a journey I call my life. I have become more philosophical these days. I am less willing to waste my time, less willing to listen to negative people, less willing to miss an opportunity to be loving, trying hard to get closer to my dreams, or have some genuine fun.
The notion that at 50, is your life half empty or half full? I would like to think the latter. To lead a fulfilled life, and not feel you are ever too old to make a difference or to contribute, we should all live life with a profound clarity and reflective honesty. Ask yourself these questions (which I am borrowing from a great philosopher):
Did you dream richly?
Did I live fully?
Did I learn to let go?
Did I love well?
Did I tread lightly on the earth and leave it a better than I found it?
If we can answer these questions well, it will help you live with more authenticity, passion and joy. So live your potential now. Does not matter if you are 15 or 50. Though I think the 15 years old would have a tougher time answering these questions 😉 So, go out there and live your life to the fullest today. The Chinese has a apt saying: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. But the second best time is today”. Time to pick up gardening 😉
