5 Common Myths Indian Senior Citizens Need to Break

As mentioned in the previous post, on the 1^st of October I had a chance to meet two groups of Senior Citizens in Kerala. I conducted two sessions for them on the theme ‘Ageing gracefully, ageing meaningfully – where am I?’

One of the sessions dealt with the sub-theme, ‘Five common myths for us to break’. Let me share with you these myths. I would like to know from you which of these is often a reality for you. 

1.       My time is over. What am I useful for hereafter!

This is a negative thought. At no stage in our life should we say that our time is over, because at every stage three are things that we can do in our own unique ways. There is no wasteland, there is only wasted land. A good farmer will know which plant is good for which soil. I am a teacher who completed my tenure with my university in 2007. But I’m not yet ‘retired’. The university can show me the door, but they cannot ‘retire’ me.

Now I’m busy reading, writing, publishing and leading workshops. In fact, I’m busier now than when I was working for the university and even have the advantage that I do not have to sign any attendance register! I can work whenever I want to work. When I can’t read, write or conduct workshops, I’ve half a dozen other things to do!

2.       What is there for me to learn at this age?

There is an old adage, ‘you cannot teach an old dog new tricks’. Wrong thinking! The old dog will learn new tricks if he is convinced of the need to learn. Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Learn as if you are going to live forever, live as if you are going to die tomorrow’. Indeed, the word ‘learn’ is the key. The American psychologist and one of the founders of the humanistic approach to psychology, Carl Rogers says ‘to learn is to change’.

The teacher who teaches new tricks should be an effective teacher. We, senior citizens have a lot to learn. I asked a group of 250 senior citizens, how many of them knew to send an SMS. Only seven of them lifted their hands. I asked them how many of you can save a number on your mobile, only three knew it. How many can insert a music CD into a computer and listen to your favourite songs? Again, only three!

3.       I have resigned. Nothing in life interests me anymore.

This is a dangerous myth. At no stage in our life should we ever resign. What keeps our life going and makes it meaningful are our passions. No passion, no life. Passion is like the fire that ignites us. There are thousands of things around us to set us on fire. I, at 68, am interested in farming, travelling, organizing, writing poetry, ironing clothes, washing plates and many other things. I do them passionately, what about you?

4.       My children are my everything

What a pity! Most Indian senior citizens have no life of their own. They sacrifice themselves on the altar of their family all through their life. I quoted the famous Lebanese writer Khalil Gibran to my group. “Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself”.

5.       I have given so long! Let me now sit down and take

Goodness! What a selfish myth. All our religions teach us that it is in giving that we get. We can give our time, prayers, guidance, expertise and many other things. I closed with a quote from

Stephen Grellet: ‘I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again’.

At the sessions, I asked which of these myths they needed to break urgently. Many responded, the second and the fourth were the most common. What are yours?