Continuing with my thoughts on old age, I think it is very important to have a sense of humour in the twilight years. For, in old age it is inevitable for comparisons to arise between one’s youth and later years. And these comparisons can never be pleasant. They will inevitably evoke a sense of loss of prowess and physical vitality. They will also bring on a sense of being neglected by friends and family. This is natural. But I think having a sense of humour can help one accept the circumstances of old age better.
Humour or seeing the lighter side of things is not only good for the spirit but can also serve as an effective pain-killer in old age. For, old age can be painful with different bodily complications for senior citizens. We can only manage these afflictions. But medicines alone aren’t enough. One needs spiritual energy to maintain mental equanimity and accept the circumstances. And this is where a sense of humour can come to one’s rescue.
Now, a sense of humour isn’t something that can be turned on one day. It needs to be cultivated over a period of time. If one wants a sense of humour in the autumn of his life, he needs to see the lighter side of things in his youth. Besides, I firmly believe that taking life too seriously is at the root of all major problems in the world today. To be happy one needs to laugh. It’s that simple. We cannot change our lives beyond a point. To get over disappointments we need humour. In that sense, laughing it off is also the route to contentment.
Plus, I am pretty sure that there’s solid science behind humour and well-being of a person. While it’s natural for a man in his prime to be happy, I also think that the more we laugh the more our mental and physical states improve. And this is particularly important for old people. So, my advice to all would be to cultivate a sense of humour. Don’t let worries bog you down all of the time. There are certain things we can control, and there are certain things we can’t. There’s no point in fretting about them. Let’s enjoy what we have and be thankful. Let’s laugh our hearts out and make merry, even if our bodies grow old and weary. For in the long run, we are all dead.
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