From septuagenarian to octogenarian (Par Two)

While I agree with most of the general points discussed in my previous blog, my outlook to the transition from septuagenarian to octogenarian years is different in the way it adds to these steps. First, I remain acutely aware that the time left for me is disappearing quickly and becomes increasingly precious. Therefore I cannot waste it unproductively. 

This doesn’t mean that I plan to return to work, but each of my actions, even the ones seemingly unproductive, like meditating, sleeping well, or deep thinking are extremely valuable to me. This forces me to get many things done and by treating the use of my time as so precious, it turns into a skilled game from which I get mentally rewarded from it like all players do. 

Then, there is my view of the inexorable physical decline that is beyond my control and just a function of aging. While I don’t like this evolution I’m learning to accept it and transmute it into something positive. 

As a result, I recently decided to turn it on its head and aim for placing the rest of my life on a trajectory in “crescendo” until everything stops, so I’m not disappearing vanquished, but up into a rewarding kind of glory. Why? Because I see that remaining time like a chance to repair all that’s wrong or not so nice in myself. 

From turning fear into love, to learning skills that I still could use, from being a much better person to the people I come in contact with, either daily or occasionally. I keep busy filling the “negative holes” in my life with positive traits and still trying to get better at so many things that are leaving room for improvement. 

Expending this effort is not really hard, because I’ve long seen any obstacle as a hurdle challenging me to overcome it, and in the process, get better and learn something from these efforts that are a continuation of my competitive make-up. All this keeps me enormously busy and constantly behind the eight ball in a stimulating way. 

In conclusion, this outlook—gained over the years through mindfulness and disciplined meditation—keeps me going, making me wish that I will die one day filled with happiness and as healthy as possible for my age, physically, mentally and cognitively. So now, you’ve got the full program!