Come Live With Me Till 90

The abiding influence in my life, which I believe firmly has led to my long life span, is my belief in the existence of God. Faith and religion are two most important survival invocations in the minds of mankind. Martin Luther said” Faith must trample under foot all reason, sense and understanding”. In life sharing one’s wealth time and expertise with the needy, the poor, the disadvantaged would lead to great spiritual enlightenment and mental satisfaction promoting a long life span. Rockefeller was told by his almoner Frederick Gates if he did not give his money to charity “it will crush you and your grandchildren”

       Mind and its alacrity have the most powerful influence in shaping the life of human beings. If it dims it dims the light in life. On entering retirement a mind set must be developed that advancing years are not going to cramp your life style. Like every part of the body it is most important for older people to exercise the brain to improve cognitive abilities, memory, reasoning and speed thinking. Early results of research conducted in US indicate that mental stimulation can go a long way as protection against Alzheimer disease and dementia. MetLife is pushing brain health by providing brain fitness software to millions of old customers.

       India is home to the world’s largest concentration of the poor. The rich and the super rich continue to spend their lives in a rarefied monetary atmosphere. 300 million live below the line of poverty. Can poverty be made history?  Nobel Laureate Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh in his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize at Stockholm in December 2006 said this mission is possible “we will create a poverty museum in 2030”.

        Treat 60 as the way to the new 80. Do not entertain negative thoughts that age and death are going to consume you. At this landmark the curtain does not fall. There is no need to foolishly try and over stretch fading physical powers. Age is no friend to the over reaching.  

       Physical fitness which is currently and correctly the buzz word is very important for longevity. A daily brisk walk of 4 to 5 km. is an absolute must. Walking as an exercise to reduce weight is misleading. Swimming is not a weight losing exercise. Contrary to accepted belief a work out in gymnasium is not weight reducing though it will tone the body, add muscle and make you feel better. Jogging, if medically allowed, may be helpful in reducing weight. Why waste money on gymnasium, exercise bikes, tread mills and other related equipment when your own home is an “Alladin’s cave of DIY exercise equipment.” Scientists have discovered that life span can be extended if one does not shirk household chores. If you keep physically fit and your diet is healthy and balanced, there is no need to take vitamins unless they are medically prescribed particularly in old age to supplement vital deficiencies and give strength and vigour. Cosmetic surgery has boomed in recent years becoming a huge industry pandering particularly to the vanity of women. The downside of facial surgery can be traumatic. Be sure there is no short cut to restore youth and certainly not promote longevity. Ageing like mortality is ever present in our lives, admitting of no arguments, until ongoing researches breach the frontiers of life. Attempts are being made in the laboratory to postpone death.

       Fast food outlets have become the curse of life leading to mass obesity with severe health hazards. There are more fat than hungry people in the world today. In 2005 there were 1.6 billion overweight adults in the world which number is estimated to increase to 2.3 billion by 2015. Obesity leads to high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis, respiratory problems, osteoporosis. Obesity is reckoned to be the second most important cause of death after tobacco. I would say beware of structured diet schemes. The world is awash with different dietary methods adopted by millions with goodness knows what results. My theory of keeping weight and BMI in check is simple and effective from personal experience and is very agreeable. Avoid greasy preparations. Impose on yourself no dietary restrictions except, and this is very important, get up from the table when you are feeling 25% hungry. It will do wonders to your weight control.

       “Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation the other eight are unimportant” Henry Miller. It is the primordial instinct of mankind and important for longevity. Enjoyment of sex is not the exclusive preserve of youth. If you are in your 60s do not feel despondent that you have ceased to be potent. Sexual passion is a priceless invisible mystique. Do not make female nudity common place. Once the mystique is lost no matter what you do can never bring it back. The iron curtain of sexual desire and passion is irretrievably drawn. The dreaded stark bedroom boredom has set in. The happiest romantic period in a person’s life are the days of courting which should be nourished and prolonged as long as possible.

       Weight loss seekers must know that drink is calorie rich. Alcohol is the best appetite stimulant. What a destructive combination of alcohol and food are in slimming efforts. Apart from the dreaded weight gai