The Wisdom Of Age: What We Can Learn From The Elderly

Often, the saying goes that age is just a number, but this is not a cliché. It is an exception. Age is not just a number if you had chosen the best way to age experiencing life at its fullest and embracing it with all its vices and virtues. At present, we are running constantly and do not have time to seek elderly wisdom without realizing how insightful that can be. The words coming out from the mouths of our parents or grandparents are valuable, and we only understand them after we have reached their age or assume the responsibilities of parenthood.

Their experiences, mistakes, learning, and realizations can provide ample sources of wisdom more than the books if we choose to listen to them carefully. We often forget that they have lived and gained experiences and ignore their advice. Until you face grave danger, ignorance is a bliss. It is only during dangerous situations we look up to the elders in the family for their valuable advice. Instead of this behavior, if we sit with them for a couple of hours discussing the beauties and the challenges of life and pay heed to what they say, we will gain knowledge and a deeper understanding of life.

Interviewing old people, or listening to their interviews can be interesting because they have many stories, anecdotes, and advice. An 86-year-old will have several stories to share. Some might have even faced the greatest tragedies on this planet, whereas others have struggled to transform their lives along with the advancement of technology. Every time they come up with an anecdote, you will have something to learn or just sit back enjoy the story and understand the emotion behind it. Connecting with your roots can be fun sometimes.

You will be able to learn the power of positivity and inner strength, especially from the people who have faced events like the Holocaust and the 1947 India partition and made it alive. They have the simplest and best advice on survival. Also, they will tell you to respect others, be happy with what you get, and be peaceful and tolerant. Tolerance is one lesson that the youth of today needs to learn. With so much hatred and intolerance everywhere, people are feeling lonely and getting disconnected from their family and friends. Family is the best healer, and remaining connected with them is easy when you let go of the ego and selfishness.

We can also learn the value of sacrifice from our older generation. It gives mental peace and restores balance within us. In India and the eastern societies, older people are treated as an asset for their advice and wisdom. Their wisdom passes through generations, and they are more attached to the older generation. On the contrary, older people are not given much value in Western countries because they do not actively contribute to society’s progress. However, detachment from the root has caused problems in their society.