Biological age and psychological age

There is a saying going around. "Age is just a number".

Really?

It is true, as we grow older, the signs of old age will truly show. There is no denying about that.

We all say "what can we do".

I would say, "well, a lot".

As Buddhists, all our elders and monks tell us that we cannot escape "old age, pain and death". How true this is.

But think for a moment, if we accept this fact or not, what will happen will happen. No one can deny that.

However there is one thing we can all do for sure. Now I am talking about people who are 50 years and older. We have no time to lose. That is why we need to make sure that "every day is a miracle". We need to make sure that we do not waste the time that we have on this earth.

Some Buddhists say, "try to get Kutho, or Pyinnya, or at least some material wealth every day".

As we grow older, we can certainly get Kutho - which in English means "good karma" or Pyinnya (Knowledge or Wisdom) every day without even having to spend a dime or a nickle.

To be "young at heart" is a state of mind. You are happy if your mind is in a happy frame of mind. When I was young, our scout master taught us that " a scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties". How true.

We may be over 50, or over 60 or whatever. If we feel young, that is what matters.

One day I was doing shopping at Whole Foods and spent a few minutes looking at the beautiful birthday cards, a cards that we send to wish good wishes like for those who are in the hospital or those who are passing through difficult times.

One little card struck me. It said:

"Age is mind over matter, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter".

"How true", I said to myself, smiled and walked away to continue my shopping.