How time flies! Yes, I will repeat that: time flies before our eyes and yet we do not observe it doing so. We do not see time flying past. We realise this when the body starts to buckle under the weight of a large number of years it had experienced. However, some of us are regaled to be still enjoying a working compos mentis. I classify myself to fall within the category of this latter statement, at the ripe 'old' age of 84!
Indeed, I, myself, do not feel that old notwithstanding that I am fighting serious body ailments. You see it's all in the mind. Four or five years ago, when approaching my eightieth birthday, I had the ability to bottle inspiration at its own inception which proved especially useful during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Putting pen to paper is much easier today than in former days when paper, carbon paper and the familiar typewriter were the tools to transcribe the thoughts that were nestled in the mind. In the early 1980s, having foreseen that the digital era was about to crashland on us, I underwent a very interesting course so I could obtain an Oxford University General Certificate of Education in Computer Studies. My success in that venture came to nothing when I migrated to Australia in 1984 because I realised that I needed more than that certificate in order to proceed ahead with a good and merited employment in that socially and educationally advanced country.
Returning to Malta in 1987 I forgot all about computers and gave my all in the security profession as well as human resources. At age 50 plus I enrolled myself as a mature student at our University of Malta for an evening course in Labour Studies, Humanities Faculty.
This goes to prove that keeping our minds working, keeps our life ticking. Forget about the body's failings. It is all in the mind.
Once your mind is working properly you can achieve so many things that you previously thought were not within your reach. Give it a try and not just sit down and watch television all day. A busy mind makes your day all that simpler and passes away faster. That is why my introduction to this opinion piece referred to time.
In my school days I adored doing comprehension tests. For those who are not familiar with these tests: it was a written essay of so many words and the objective was to write a smaller version which included its main gist. This exercise is good for journalists where the limited space they are allowed to report upon is vital.
Looking forward to the next venture is tantamount to extending one's life-cycle. Do not allow it to stop. Do something. Malta's Commission for Older Persons provides advice to those seeking ways to forging ahead to keep their future sane. Under the guidance of this commission, ably run by the Commissioner Dr Mary Vella MD, MMCFD, this commission instils priorities to stay safe, healthy and independent and to lead lives that have value, meaning and purpose.
Seven years ago I was knocked down by a car. The resultant X-rays, ultra-sound and CT scans found no damage to my bones. However, I was told that I was suffering from two different maladies of which I had no inkling about them. Subsequently I righted what was wrong. This goes to show that misfortunes can turn into fortunes.
My adage that 'one should never give up' defines one's ulterior motive to live life to the full. This does not mean any perforce excesses but merely leads the way to a happier (longer) life.