Old is Gold

Of course, there are some who simply age and don’t grow. They don’t learn from their lives and cannot offer anything back to the society. But, for the majority who enter old age, it is a graceful transition. What they say is not only tried and tested but also what they have already lived. They may often sound rude because they don’t care about getting recognition or anything else in return any more. They no longer pretend and play games. They speak their minds like children do. But, what they say is, in no way, ‘childish’. They have a lot to return to the society. It will be a grave mistake to let this pool of wisdom die un-utilised.

Will Durant says, “(Alas!) If youth had wisdom of the old and the old had energy of the youth, then the world would have been a heaven.” A car needs both the ‘accelerator’ and the ‘brake’ for its safe journey. Similarly, society needs both the ‘youth’ (providing energy) and the ‘old’ (providing wisdom) for its peace and progress. We can certainly bridge the generation gap if youth respects and seeks ‘wisdom’ from the old and the old believes in the ‘energy’ of the ‘youth’.

My humble advice to the children and adult is to not miss any opportunity of learning from the older generations whether at home or at work. What you learn from them is not theoretical; it is down-right applicable to your own lives. It is a bit like the relay race in which the older generation passes on the baton of experience to the younger generation in keeping the race for progress going.