Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.
Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of sixty more than a body of twenty. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.
Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.
Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being's heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like appetite of what's next, and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the Infinite, so long are you young.
When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at twenty, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch the waves of optimism, there is hope you may live young even at eighty.
Samuel Ullman
These days, remaining youth is a great challenge even for youths. But, by keep reading the essay of Samuel Ullman on 'Youth' one can get charged. Unlikely as it may sound, this essay written more than 100 years ago is the underpinning of Japanese productivity and the basis of many businessman's life philosophies. Many Japanese carry creased copies in their wallents. I also carry one copy for over 20+ years now.
This is a wonderful piece. You are spot on when you say it inspires every time one reads it.
ReplyDeleteSuch true words. You and Mom are prime examples of how adaptability is such a factor to sustain youth in our minds. You have transitioned along generations so smoothly and everytime adopting the changes. Another important thing is your open mind to learning, that has shaped the way you think across issues that have changed perspectives over time. You both are exceptional human beings. Great people set examples by their living, and you both are right up there! Today as I see and interact more and more with people of your generation, I realise that being you is not easy, and not many are out there even close to a shadow of the quality of human beings that you both are! I must say, God blesses everyone with youth in their lifetime, but to carry that ahead throughout our lifetime needs perseverance, and that's what you both have shown the world. Love you both and thank you GOD for blessing us with parents who are forever young at heart.
Thanks for your compliments. Have a nice day.
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