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The majority of old people sound like a broken record, complaining about how they get no respect, how they don't feel valued.
It's sad, but most old people of today aren't valued but its their own fault, it's because they have nothing valueable to offer.
I do not expects old people to keep up with the latest trends, to know the latest technology, to be hip with the latest entertainment, to keep up with the pace of globalization, to do physically demanding tasks, to even be able to work a job, to even be able to take care of themselves.
But what I do expect from old people is that when they had the ability to do these things, that they lived their life to the fullest, faced adversity, and ultimately came out of this experience with a level of ACCEPTANCE.
Some things went right, somethings went wrong, but ultimately they learned to accept themselves for who they are and found that all the external stuff is not important. They learned to be happy with life on life's terms. And having found themselves, they have a sense of SERENITY.
I expect old people to have something that young people do not yet have, the ability to LIVE LIFE ONE DAY AT A TIME. And that is a wisdom that I can appreciate in old people. That is an energy that I want to be around. I want to be around wise old people who because they can accept themselves for who they are, can accept me for who I am.
I don't need someone telling me what to do or how to do it. I don't need advise. But what I do need is someone who can accept me and encourage me. Someone who believes that I have the tools within me to figure it all out.
But the old people I come in contact with are bitter. They are complaining. And the very fact that they have so much anger, so much discontent, tells me that they have not found acceptance. That they have not found serenity. That in their 60+ years of life they have not mastered it.
It makes me feel that instead of facing their adversity, they instead numbed themselves with alcohol, television, unhealthy relationships, drugs, etc. And as a result they did not grow. They stayed adult children. And now in their old age they have no more wisdom than an 18 year old.
Sorry to be harsh, but its' their own damn fault that they have no value. And it is not too late for anyone to start facing the negative within them instead of spraying it all over the place.
It makes me feel that instead of facing their adversity, they instead numbed themselves with alcohol, television, unhealthy relationships, drugs, etc. And as a result they did not grow. They stayed adult children. And now in their old age they have no more wisdom than an 18 year old.
Guess what ... old people are exactly the same people they were when they were younger. Their bodies are just older. '
That's what young people don't understand. Nothing magical happens as you age. You either evolve or you don't. And Surprise!!! When YOU get old, you're gonna be basically the same person you are now. So if you feel like you can stand up to your own super harsh standards, then congrats.
The irony is that your post does not sound like something that came from a serene mind lol.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyCow011
Sorry to be harsh, but its' their own damn fault that they have no value. And it is not too late for anyone to start facing the negative within them instead of spraying it all over the place.
You tank any argument you MAY have had when you make a ridiculous generalization like "old people have NO value."
Guess what ... old people are exactly the same people they were when they were younger. Their bodies are just older. '
That's what young people don't understand. Nothing magical happens as you age. You either evolve or you don't. And Surprise!!! When YOU get old, you're gonna be basically the same person you are now. So if you feel like you can stand up to your own super harsh standards, then congrats.
The irony is that your post does not sound like something that came from a serene mind lol.
You tank any argument you MAY have had when you make a ridiculous generalization like "old people have NO value."
This!
OP you are very harsh when the one thing to remember is that we are all just people.
Let's support and build each other not put each other down.
I agree that you sounded harsh, perhaps more so you're feeling bitter yourself. You don't know what some people met with life that changed them from sweet happy souls to valueless bitter old souls.
Come back here when you're 60yo, who knows what kind of old people you might be?
I am 73. I was not offended by the original post because it has a large grain of truth in it despite painting with an overly broad brush (over-generalizing). We are all individuals, and so these kinds of discussions are always problematic.
Actually, these "generation war" threads are rather common on City-Data. Amusingly, at the top of the Economics Forum is a sticky stating that generation wars are not allowed. Carry on, everybody!
OP, You sound very angry with some particular person or persons. Don't know how old you are, so maybe the anger is directed toward a parent or grandparent. I know many older Americans who are not as you describe. I will tell you, however, that as we age and our bodies break down and we contract cancer or other serious diseases, we are not as cheerful as you would have us be.
Perhaps you should approach whomever it is you are angry with and ask them about their lives. Perhaps they are dealing with some hard facts. If someone is not treating you well, then maybe you need to explain to them how you feel in a calm, thoughtful way.
I am 73. I was not offended by the original post because it has a large grain of truth in it despite painting with an overly broad brush (over-generalizing). We are all individuals, and so these kinds of discussions are always problematic.
Actually, these "generation war" threads are rather common on City-Data. Amusingly, at the top of the Economics Forum is a sticky stating that generation wars are not allowed. Carry on, everybody!
Speak for yourself with the grain of truth. Have you seen the whinging and complaining on fb from people of all ages? Most of the "old" people, whatever old actually is, I know don't spend their life complaining but are very active , and engaged with learning, and involved in the community /volunteering etc. maybe some people need to mix with people of all ages and stop judging "old" people or " millennials" by their own experience or what they read.
Speak for yourself with the grain of truth. Have you seen the whinging and complaining on fb from people of all ages? Most of the "old" people, whatever old actually is, I know don't spend their life complaining but are very active , and engaged with learning, and involved in the community /volunteering etc. maybe some people need to mix with people of all ages and stop judging "old" people or " millennials" by their own experience or what they read.
Birds of a feather flock together. People like you and I probably just don't hang out with negative people. I already stated that we are all individuals, yet you seem to be taking me to task by stating the same thing in different words.
I have been reading and posting in the City-Data Retirement Forum for over six years, and my "large grain of truth" is based partly on the number of bitter, mean-spirited people posting there. It is also based on my observations of older relatives.
Methinks thou dost protest too much.
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