A daily reminder

"Huh? Certainly not" was my answer to my daughter's question whether I was afraid of getting old. Other than the monthly facial therapy, I do not spend much money trying to retard the aging process, not even on food supplements. I am certainly no ageist, so I thought. Well, not until I applied for the senior citizen concessionary card.

One can apply for this card online through the Transit Link website. After you have input your particulars, scan your IC and upload your digital photo, and key "next", a preview of the concessionary card complete with your name, IC No. and photo appears. The words "Senior Citizen" printed boldly at the bottom of the card stared starkly into my face. "Gosh I am now a Senior Citizen" I exclaimed and started laughing. My daughter who was nearby remarked that my laughter seemed nervous. It was more of unpreparedness than nervousness, I guess.

A couple of days later after my annual bone density scan, the doctor suggested medication to stagnate the deterioration in my bone density. He reminded me of my age and its associated risks. Looks like  crossing over to the age with a '6' prefix is quite significant in the eyes of many.

True to form nervousness did arise after reading an extract from "At Home in the Universe" forwarded by a friend. Describing the concept of Karma the text suggests that 'the thoughts, feelings and deeds of one life- our relationships to other people, events and surroundings in this life -determine the talents, dispositions, places, and whom and what we meet in the next'. It dawns on me that if it is true, I have (upon reaching 60) precious little time to rectify any unskillful habits of thoughts and feelings plaguing my entire life so far; just so that they would not be carried forward to the next. Do I want to plague my next life with negativity and anxieties for example? If I desire a happier disposition then I have to start cultivating a healthier frame of mind with urgency. It reminds me to take care of whatever remains of ME and whatever I wish and admire in a person, I should start working on it.

In the photo memoir which my daughter presented me as a birthday gift was a picture of me sorting out the little figurines I used for sandplay therapy with the caption "It's never too late to change course or go after a dream". This shall be my daily reminder.