They Just Don't Make Them---Like They Use To?
I stopped for lunch at a near by restaurant yesterday and could not help over-hearing the conversation at the next table. It was a party of three women and one man. The youngest one looked to be in her mid-twenty's the others middle-aged. They were all well dressed, the women had on what looked like designer labels would be attached to the inside seam. The man had on a well tailored suit. The conversation went something along these lines.
"I understand that you are looking for another apartment. What was wrong with the one you have now?" She asked the younger woman.
"Oh, there is nothing wrong with my apartment, I just want to find one nearer to my psychiatrists,"
"Yes, I seem to remember you seemed to think that you needed one when you first started college and you ---are still seeing them, four years later?
"Yes, all my dorm sisters and I still meet regularly and discuss our progress."
On this statement of pride I dropped my fork and had to ask the waiter for another one. It was also when I heard the sounds of something rattling in plastic containers that I sat there with new fork raised part way to my mouth and watched these four people like on cue, shake out their individual pills and line them up beside their water glass. They held up each one and gave in detail what their specialist said it was for, each trying to interrupt the other with their blue, pink or yellow pill that did that and more.
Now! please don't get me wrong, because there are many folks out there that do need certain medications. Yet, that being said, I do wonder when every time you turn on the TV, every other commercial loudly states that if you have this symptom which they give a long list of suggestions, that most people would normally have.---then you should see your doctor and ask if this drug is right for you. Of course when you repeat all these symptoms to the doctor he prescribes the drug.
When did we become a herd of sheep, just following the bell that was ringing on the lead sheep---(TV) etc. Many complain that the no longer feel young and they have all these aches and pains. Rather than striving to feel young, or no simple everyday aches, just start using your own brain, yes the one that you were given. No! we don't need to follow that sound of that bell to pull us through the ups and down stages of everyday life.
• Growing Old:
When I was young and a complete fool, not knowing any better, I thought I was wise, but as I grew in years I gained experience, and learned from my many mistakes. This is not something to be fearful of, but something to look forward to. Attitude is everything---It has been my drug of choice and no specialist had to write that subscription down on a little white piece of paper.
When we use our minds in a positive way we grow flexible and healthy, not feeble. The maxim "Use it or lose it" may be trite, but it is a truism. I suggest following the regiment of constant learning. We do not stop learning because we grow old; we grow old because we stop learning.
Yes of course it is true that as we age our body deteriorates? So--there are advantages and disadvantages in all stages of life. Yes, my grandchildren can all out run me, but---I can out think them. No! I will not moan about some of those little aches and pains of arthritis, or will I take some numb killing drug---I'll just suck-it-up and keep on trucking for I know I'm one of the lucky ones.
I know that I can never enjoy all that I wanted to in one life time, so why waste time complaining and being fearful of growing old. For those of you that are approaching middle age, stop griping about it---you'll grow out of it!
For those of you that positively insist on have that dose of medication---I subscribe that you take two large tablespoons full of laughter every two hours. Now if you are still not convince that maturing is a positive experience, just stop and look around at those that are denied the privilege of growing old.
• I'll take a glass of old wine with a splash of laughter---please.
