Recently I read an article on social media, which was regarding some unwritten rules for the SENIOR CITIZENS. After reading the same, I started thinking that this information should be available to all, whether you are a senior citizen or not. In case you are a senior citizen, you will relate to this information, and if you are still young or middle-aged, then you might have parents then you may share the same with them.
Seniors are advised to follow these Rules:
1 As far as possible do not live with your children. If you are living with them, please do not get involved in their day-to-day lives.
2 Even if you are staying with them (or staying separately), please do not get involved with your grandchildren’s education. Their parents are the best judges to handle this.
3 Love, or at least tolerate your son-in-law or daughter-in-law, as it is the question of your daughter or son’s married life, and you have no right to interfere in it unless they ask you for some advice.
4 Never take sides or give your opinion on their marriage.
5 Do not make yourself an elderly complainer. There are many seniors who have the habit of always complaining about some matter or the other.
6 Do not become an elderly person feeling sorry for yourself all the time.
7 Never get attached to your time, meaning during our time this thing was like this and that thing was like that. Please remember that time is gone.
8 Always have a plan for the future. Do not always think that now you have become old, life is getting over.
9 Do not always talk about your illness. Rest assured, nobody wants to know about the same. Others may have their own health problems.
10 During your professional life, no matter how much you earn, save a portion of the same every month.
11 Ensure that you always have your health plan (medical insurance) or you should have enough funds available for the same.
12 From the savings, you must always keep some amount separately, which should be used by your family members for performing your funeral and other death rites.
13 Do not leave any unsolved problems for your children. Problems can be related to any matter concerning your family.
14 Do not stay connected to the news or politics, after all, you are not going to solve anything anyway.
15 Only watch TV or anything on a cell phone to have fun, not to get stressed/tense because of those programs.
16 If you like, you can have a pet to keep yourself occupied.
17 Always be a clean and non-smelling old man/woman.
18 When you get up in the morning- go for a walk, do cooking if you like, do gardening, read but do not stand still for death to approach you.
19 Please enjoy your old age, many have already fallen along the way without enjoying the same.
20 Your house should be such that everyone wants to visit, and not stay away. That just depends on you.
21 Use age as a bridge to the future and never ladder to the past. For the bridge of the future, generally, you will always have company.
22 Remember, it is always to leave good memories rather than regrets.
23 Have fun. Smile and make others smile. A smile makes anyone’s day better.
24 Do not procrastinate (put off or delay considerably). There is not much time left.
25 Do not leave ‘that what pleases you’ for tomorrow, it might be too late.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
16th October 2023