The secret to remaining young at heart is a matter of being able to “fall in love again and again… forgive as well as forget… keep from growing sour, surly, bitter and cynical.” — Henry Miller.
I am one of the fortunate few who has remained in love for over fifty years, day in, day out, although I’m not sure Suzy would say that I have kept from “growing sour, surly, bitter, and cynical.” Perhaps the key to the latter is remembering to “forgive as well as forget.”
Simon de Beauvoir wrote that in “old age we should wish still to have passions enough to prevent us turning in on ourselves.” I don’t have his eloquence, but I do believe that one key to a full life is to have passions, to enjoy certain aspects of life, and to search as we get older for new interests, new activities, and new passions.
I started writing novels in my sixtes, and it has brought me intense pleasure. Reading Miller and de Beauvoir reminds me to find other things I love to do. I need to kindle new passions and continue those that bring me immense pleasure.
Although this Pew is titled “Old Age,” falling in love and igniting passions should not be limited to the elderly. One of the things I always try to remember to do with my grandchildren is to ask them what do they love doing, what do they enjoy about school, what do they like reading. My inquiries are not so subtle hints to get them to think about what brings them pleasure, besides Halloween candy.
What do you enjoy, do you have passions?
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