Staying Young
Hanging out with young people makes us young at heart.
In a world where the concept of aging can often be accompanied by fear and resistance, staying young at heart stands as a powerful antidote to the passing of time. While the natural process of growing older is inevitable, the choice to embrace a youthful mindset can be a transformative and life-enriching one.
Staying young is not solely about the absence of wrinkles or gray hair; it's about maintaining the vitality and curiosity that make life an ongoing adventure. It's a reminder that the passage of years need not dull our zest for life or stifle our capacity for wonder. In fact, it can be a time to tap into newfound wisdom while cherishing the joy of lifelong learning.
The significance of staying young can be summarized in a few key principles:
Embracing Change: Staying young means recognizing that change is a natural and essential part of life. It involves adapting to new circumstances with resilience and enthusiasm, instead of resisting or fearing the unknown.
Pursuing Passions: A youthful spirit is one that continues to chase dreams and passions, regardless of age. It's about finding joy in creative expression, exploration, and the pursuit of goals.
Cultivating Relationships: Staying young involves nurturing meaningful relationships and cherishing the connections that bring love, joy, and support into our lives. It's about maintaining a sense of playfulness and shared adventures.
Staying Active: Physical activity is a vital component of staying young. It helps maintain strength, flexibility, and energy, allowing for a more active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Open-Mindedness: A youthful mindset is marked by an open-minded approach to the world. It means being receptive to new ideas, different perspectives, and a willingness to learn from every experience.
Living in the Present: Staying young encourages living in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or constantly worrying about the future. It means finding joy and contentment in the here and now.
Cultivating a Sense of Humor: Laughter and a sense of humor are powerful tools for staying young. They lighten the heart and help us navigate life's ups and downs with grace.
Maintaining Resilience: A youthful spirit can weather the storms of life with resilience. It involves bouncing back from setbacks, learning from failures, and moving forward with hope and optimism.
In essence, staying young is a state of mind—a philosophy that keeps us vital, inspired, and engaged in the world around us. It's a commitment to celebrating the journey of life, not just the destination. In doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also inspire those around us to embrace the beauty of each passing year with grace and enthusiasm.
Surround yourself with young and exuberant friends. This is something I need to work on. A diversity of people to be around with and this will keep myself at the top of the game. Improve your connection with the young people.
When I was in Barcelona, I lived with my next door neighbor, a woman who was 102. who was 102 year-old woman in Barcelona, I noticed that she preferred having around with young people. When you are at this age, didn’t want to be around old people. As we age, we just have to resist and one thing I learned is to be with the young. I’m so fortunate that I get to have this opportunity. One thing I learned is that you’ve got with them to be young.
I met Xenia and Sina during their one-semester schooling in Càdiz. Xenia and I would play tennis during her stay there and she would beat me all the time with her heavy topspin balls landing the height of my shoulder and for me, that’s hard to handle. I had to visualize to his those high balls and keep up to her game. Then, we parted ways for our own summer destination — them doing their tour around Spain and me, going to a farm. Surprisingly, they came to visit me when I was in Maro, Nerja in southern Spain. There, we went kayaking together and hung out together for the whole day. The following summer of 2022, I planned to visit them and want to explore the Black Forest area. Luckily, Xenia lives in Baden Baden. They came to pick me up in Stuttgart and showed me around there to get familiar with the city, then took me to Baden Baden and hiked in the Black Forest. They took time off and hung out together — breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. Well, that including checking out the famous Casino in Baden Baden. Casino isn’t my own thing. Saying yes, even to things that we aren’t used to doing can make you see the other side of it again.
I certainly feel that hanging out with young people keeps me on my toes. While hiking, we played vocabulary games. Learning to level with them makes me young again. I also do things in return. I got friends older than me and got them to play table tennis with them and travel with them. I’m well aware of the importance on both parties. It’s a win-win situation.
According to an article in New York Times dating January 19, 2023. Spending time with younger people can also benefit your brain, said Vonetta Dotson, a professor of psychology and gerontology at Georgia State University and author of “Keep Your Wits About You: The Science of Brain Maintenance as You Age.”
There is research to suggest that as you age, especially if you’re starting to experience some cognitive decline, socializing with younger people who are mentally sharp can provide the type of stimulation that helps boost cognitive functioning, she explained.