BIRTHDAYS – LIFE MILE STONES
Turned 55 years old last week. There is no stopping mother time. The first thing that struck me on my birthday was I had reached my retirement age if I were to work for a firm in the private sector.
I happened to be in Genting Highlands on my birthday and was taking my daughter to the Theme Park. The notice at the ticketing counter declares that anyone above 55 years old qualifies as a Senior Citizen. So the second thing that struck me was, I have officially become a Senior Citizen. I have always considered myself to be in middle age category. This honorific title that unexpectedly creeps up on me suddenly make me feels so old. I have joined the Ancient Generation category now :< So how do you celebrate a birthday with such an unwelcome and unhappy reminder.
Fortunately there is an upside to it as well on such a depressing day. As a Senior Citizen, the entrance ticket to the Theme Park is at half price, which means that I pay less than my 11 year old daughter. Riding the roller coaster and the high octane spinner with my daughter I did not feel a day older. Sitting in the togoban that rattles and twists and turns down the slide at a tremendous speed was such a thrill too. So it is all in the mind.
Every birthday marks a new milestone. 21 is when you turn into an adult. At 30 you feel you are no longer a young person. With the blink of an eye, you are suddenly at 40 and into middle age. At 50, psychologically you feel old. At 60, regardless of how you look or feel, you are officially an old person.
Time marches on relentlessly but age is only a figure. What is important is how you stay relevant.
12 February 2008
I happened to be in Genting Highlands on my birthday and was taking my daughter to the Theme Park. The notice at the ticketing counter declares that anyone above 55 years old qualifies as a Senior Citizen. So the second thing that struck me was, I have officially become a Senior Citizen. I have always considered myself to be in middle age category. This honorific title that unexpectedly creeps up on me suddenly make me feels so old. I have joined the Ancient Generation category now :< So how do you celebrate a birthday with such an unwelcome and unhappy reminder.
Fortunately there is an upside to it as well on such a depressing day. As a Senior Citizen, the entrance ticket to the Theme Park is at half price, which means that I pay less than my 11 year old daughter. Riding the roller coaster and the high octane spinner with my daughter I did not feel a day older. Sitting in the togoban that rattles and twists and turns down the slide at a tremendous speed was such a thrill too. So it is all in the mind.
Every birthday marks a new milestone. 21 is when you turn into an adult. At 30 you feel you are no longer a young person. With the blink of an eye, you are suddenly at 40 and into middle age. At 50, psychologically you feel old. At 60, regardless of how you look or feel, you are officially an old person.
Time marches on relentlessly but age is only a figure. What is important is how you stay relevant.
12 February 2008
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