As I’m almost always at the gym by 6:30 or 7:00 at the very latest, most of my fellow gym-goers are senior citizens. I generally delight in the older crowd, and always look to their wisdom for guidance and advice.
This morning, an older gentleman was grunting over some weights. Exhausted, he dropped the dumbbells at his sides, turned to me and said, “Don’t get old.”
Bewildered, I didn’t know what to say. Like a deer in headlights, I stared wide-eyed and with my mouth slightly agape – as though I was searching for words but unable to find them. How could this be? Growing old was my plan. And in an instant, this sage of a senior citizen had struck it down.
The alternative to growing old is dying young – and I’m much too busy a man for that. I have far too much left to do.
Chronological age, of course, is one thing. Biological age is another. Perhaps he wasn’t speaking so much about the passage of time as he was the importance of staying healthy, active and full of love. The tick of the clock is inevitable. But staying young at heart and physiologically sound is not. It reminds me of a quote by Samuel Ullman: “Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”
So, I have a question for you: How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? Let me know in the comments below.
January 11, 2011 at 7:46 am
I have just successfully navigated the 34th anniversiary of my 39th birthday. Now that’s enough of that. I don’t intend to have another birthday untill the year 2048. I will be 111. I am planing fireworks, just like Bilbo Baggins. Money can’t buy Time. R
January 11, 2011 at 8:13 am
I am younger now than I was a decade ago. In 2007, I decided to do a Himalayan pilgrimage with my yoga studio. After six months of training at the gym–at the age of 57–I found myself standing in awe at 14,000 feet. I have a yoga and spiritual practice I do every morning; I am in the gym with my trainer twice a week. I am healthier–in mind, body, and spirit–than ever in my life. At 61, I am proud to be my age. Share the wisdom or your age with those following, and you will always be young.
January 11, 2011 at 8:16 am
In my country, we have a saying,”Old are the mountains and the seas” when referring to one’s own age. I do strongly believe that. My biological age doesn’t even reflect on my internal age. I am young at heart and enjoy life to its fullest everyday. In fact when those who do not know me ask for my age and I tell them, their reaction is usually, “Really? I would not have guess. You look about 10 years younger.” I smile. I am not afraid of looking “physically old.” But I do worry about allowing myself to feel old. Yet, my active life, my sense of humor, and the fact that I know I could die ANY second, have made me enjoyed life to the fullest. And that, to me, makes me younger every day.
January 11, 2011 at 9:47 am
my answer would be about 55 yrs old or is that young?aches and pains-pain in shoulder-legs-various body parts etc etc.one way to combat age-is to workout regularly.although i cant stop ageing -exercise helps.its cold and snowy here in the midwest-taking in a walk before the snow helps.if its a manageble snow cover-you can still walk-but be careful of the icy patches.but Davey-youre still young with lots of energy-youre in shape-you will age gracefully and live a long life-dont sweat the details-just yet.
January 11, 2011 at 10:11 am
At 57 years of age, I still feel 23. I swim a mile every day and just opened a new business that I am very excited about. I am an artist. And my boyfriend is 23.
January 11, 2011 at 10:49 am
Wow, you go David!!
Thanks for sharing that. I’m a life coach and executive coach teetering on the idea of leaving my corporate coaching job to open my own practice and hearing stories – even brief ones – like that keeps me focused and helps me realize that if you can do it, if Davey can do it, if anyone can do it, so can I! Not to mention I’m 35 and dating 20-year-olds 
January 11, 2011 at 11:48 am
Wow, I can’t believe how many old fogies (trolls, lechers?) me included, are following Davey. Thank gawd for the young blood to keep us in perspective.
January 11, 2011 at 11:53 am
id be somewhere in my Mid-twenties
Im indenpent, strong willed and live a very active life style no so worried about relationships as much as I am building a life
January 11, 2011 at 11:55 am
Lol at sixteen I had a job at 16 and was on high honor roll but guess how much that means now at 19 no job and in college lol the good ole days
January 11, 2011 at 3:29 pm
You too will grow old, Davey. I wonder if you will be so cheery about it.
January 11, 2011 at 4:13 pm
How we grow old–cheery or not–is a choice. I anticipate Davey will grow old cheerily.
January 11, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Getting ready for one myself so I’d like to wish you a belated Happy Anniversary – please drop me an email so I can attend the fireworks!
January 11, 2011 at 4:40 pm
The challenge is whether or not people allow society to dictate how they should feel about aging. I’m a gay Baby Boomer who has learned that there will never be a shortage of folks who think 30 is almost old, 40 is old and 50 is ancient. That’s a very stressful way for them to go through life and although they may be pretty, they’re rarely interesting.
January 11, 2011 at 4:46 pm
I am 67 . Just had a heart transplant a year ago. I had a brand new engine out in an old chassis. I am working out hard to catch this old body up to my new heart. I think I would be 40
January 11, 2011 at 8:18 pm
I’m growing older but keeping my promise to myself that I will never get old! While there are unavoidable biological changes that come with age, there are also many things we can do to keep healthy and fit. We live in a time when you can look good almost forever – I’m thankful for that – so was Liz Taylor – LOL
January 11, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Just prepare yourself for your twenties. learn as much as you can from older wiser people and set yourself up for happiness by doing the things in life that are worthwile. Those things are free – love is one. Those who are shallow always regret it later.
January 11, 2011 at 8:53 pm
In four months I’ll be 54, today I went sledding. I have no idea what age I am, and don’t want to know.
January 13, 2011 at 1:22 am
I know exactly what the guy meant. It’s great to keep living, but it would be that much better if the years didn’t take their inevitable physical and mental toll. Needless to say, that ain’t happening- it’s just harmless fantasizing.
January 13, 2011 at 4:26 am
I will admit I am 52. But I have always been a child. I cry at the end of Willy Wonka and ither movies. I find some of the actors on Disney or Nickelodeon very good looking. But they are half my age. I don’t want to get with them but seeing them with someone their own age.
I am SO naive. I have never been with. . . well, I can’t say the “V” word even at 52. The world is filled with such beauty and closeness that I will NEVER feel. But I love it all the same.
If being with close someone makes your life important all I can say is I AM important maybe not in an intimate way but it is imy life. Screw the rest rif you. (Okay, I may like to do that too,) but this is my life. So be it.
January 16, 2011 at 4:47 am
I think I’d be 6 or 7 years old. I enjoy life and having fun, learning is a big thing too! I also like to explore and helping people.
The world is an amazing place; it’s a cold, dark, and evil place. Not because a higher power made it that way, but because the people have.
And the reason why people have made it bad is because they have been treated poorly and I believe that treating other people better then yourself will help out the world… even if it is in a little way.
December 10, 2011 at 10:20 pm
If I didn’t know how old I was I think I would be around 40, the way I look at 55. Being in the music industry and being gay has everything to do with why I feel the way and look the way I do. Never raised a family and love what I do for a living. I think that has everything to do with why I feel and look 40 at 55.
Steven