I want to begin by dedicating this blog post to my Dad. He is such an incredible example of everything this chapter discusses. I'm blessed to have a Dad that continues to be marveled and excited about the world around him; Never stopping, always learning, and using all of the talent he has been given.
Although our bodies may change in appearance and age throughout the years, Murphy starts this chapter by stating an important fact, "your subconscious mind never grows old. It is part of the universal mind of God, which was never born, and it will never die."
Many times people fall into a mindset of "old age." They retire from their jobs, think that their purpose in this world is over, and very quickly start to deteriorate. They may not look well physically as their bodies struggle to function, and their mental sharpness becomes dull and withered.
Throughout this chapter Murphy suggests that the mind is what keeps you young. That you should never fear old age because it can actually be the, "beginning of a glorious, fruitful, active, and most productive life pattern, better than you have ever experienced."
When some people hit retirement age, they seem to just give up. They can become depressed and feel as though getting old is a tragedy. However, Murphy says that old age should be "welcomed joyfully and gladly as each phase of human life is a step forward on the path, which has no end. Man has powers, which transcend his bodily powers. He has sense, which transcend his five physical senses."
In the next paragraph Murphy discusses how many people are afraid of death because they are skeptical about what follows once they leave the physical world. He uses electricity as an example. A woman once asked Thomas Edison, "What is electricity?" He replied, "Electricity is. Use it." We use electricity constantly in our daily lives. It is a power that we cannot fully comprehend but we understand the principle of it and can therefore use it beneficially. There are so many things in science today that we do not fully comprehend, and yet it is accepted as fact. "We cannot see life. However, we know we are alive. Life is, and we are here to express it in all its beauty and glory."
Murphy points out that if you believe that the cycle of life ends with death, then of course you will live your life frustrated, afraid, and depressed once old age comes. "What men call death is but a journey to a new city in another dimension of Life." Do not accept that once you hit 60, 70, 80, or 90 that you are facing the end.
The next paragraph is titled, "You are as Young as You Think You Are". It begins with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, "We do not count a man's years until he has nothing else to count."
One of the things that I have noticed while watching my Dad over the years, is that he has never once said, "Ok that's it. I'm retired. Time to kick back and relax." Absolutely not. Instead, he has an attitude of, "what's next?" Even though he is technically retired, he has actually just begun a whole new career as a documentarian. He has self-taught himself how to make movies and use the appropriate programs by doing research on the internet and constantly challenging his mind to learn something new. He spends hours watching tutorials on Youtube and then trying them out first hand. "I don't know how to do that" does not seem to be a sentence in his vocabulary. Instead, he is challenged to learn and figure it out.
Often times, when I am working with colleagues that are slightly older than myself the topic of technology comes up. Usually I hear something along the lines of, "Oh you're young. You were raised with that stuff. Of course you understand it. I'll never be able to use that." I can't help but shake my head when I hear this because those folks have just completely built a steel mental block. They have deemed themselves old, at 45, and by speaking those words, manifested exactly where they will stay. They just closed the door to ever acquiring that particular skill. If you decided you want to learn something or trying something new, there is nothing in your way. Certainly not your age.
When you tap into the power of your subconscious mind you can overcome any obstacle you may face. In previous blogs we discussed this in the forms of being happy or successful. However, here, it is about having that zest for life and moving on to whatever comes next, rather than giving up and declaring yourself finished.
Murphy uses several real life examples of older adults who still continue to practice their talents on a daily basis. He talks about an 84 year old surgeon who operates every morning, visits patients in the afternoon, and writes for scientific journals in the evening. This gentleman told Murphy once, "It's true what you said, 'Man is as strong as he thinks he is, and as valuable as he thinks he is."
If you are no longer working or utilizing your talents, what has happened to your value? No matter your age, you can always be a blessing to others and contribute to this world in one way or another.
You decide when you become "old". Some people are old at 30 while others are young at 80. Murphy also discusses how our view on older adults should shift. In our society we value younger adults and many times employers wont hire anyone over the age of 45. However, typically older adults are more experienced as well as emotionally/spiritually mature. That is, of course, if those adults are still willing to adapt with the world around them as it changes.
I want to end this blog with my favorite paragraph from this chapter. I don't think that anyone could word it better than Murphy himself. He says..
"If you are 65 or 95 years of age, realize you have much to give. You can help stabilize, advise, and direct the younger generation. You can give the benefit of your knowledge, your experience, and your wisdom. You can always look ahead for at all times you are gazing into infinite life. You will find that you can never cease to unveil the glories and wonders of life. Try to learn something new every moment of the day, and you will find your mind will always be young."
Other important notes from this chapter:
*Patience, kindness, love, good will, joy, happiness, wisdom, and understanding are qualities, which never grow old. Cultivate them and express them, and remain young in mind and body.
*Some research physicians say that the neurotic fear of the effects of time may well be the cause of premature aging.
*The most productive years of your life can be from 65 to 95.
*You cannot see your mind, but you know you have a mind. You cannot see your spirit, but you know that the spirit of the game, the artist, the spirit of the musician, and the spirit of the speaker is real. Likewise, the spirit of goodness, truth, and beauty moving in your mind and heart are real. You cannot see life, but you know you are alive.
*You are as young as you think you are. You are as strong as you think you are. You are as useful as you think you are. You are as young as your thoughts.
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