Assistant Professor, School of Business, Alliance University, Bangalore
Online published on 21 November, 2013.
Our second innings start when we retire from ‘active’ work life. Retirement brings with it a mixed feeling. The feeling could be that of leisure and freedom or boredom and isolation. Retirement may change our attitude towards ourselves as well as others. It may affect our identity and relationship. Some think we are no longer ‘useful.’ In the mid of last century retirement was seen as rest, by the 80’s it had become a reward, and by the 90’s leisure became the predominant choice. In the present setting the idea of ‘extended period of leisure’ is not the choice of many; people want to practice ‘active ageing’. And this is possible, thanks to healthier lifestyle and new opportunities. What criteria should be followed to decide if one is ‘young’ or ‘old’? A physically ‘old’ person can be ‘mentally’ young and vice versa. We cannot stop physical ageing, but we can stop to age mentally, and may even reverse it, and become ‘childlike’. We get to know our inner world. We begin to realize the futility of projecting ourselves with too much make-up and begin to enjoy life again. The paper shows that longevity requires a strong cohesiveness between the body, the mind, and most importantly, the spirit. The spirit, being a direct connection to God's energy, is an ever-present source of vitality. The body is a tool that enables us to interact on this physical plane of existence. The mind permits to learn and better ourselves which is a tremendous aid in connecting the spiritual and the physical sides of ourselves. The strength, power and efficiency of old age is to benefit others with the treasure of experience.
