By: Tim Bryce – BRYCE ON LIFE
It’s cool to be an oldster. You really do not appreciate it until you reach your sixties when your offspring are grown up and in the work force. People look at you differently, thinking you are past your prime and should be retired. It’s kind of like, “Okay Old Man, sit in the corner, eat your cookie, and we’ll take it from here.”
I have a problem with this as I still have a few dances left on my card.
Young people do not believe you can keep up with the pace of today, that you possess knowledge from a by-gone era that is no longer applicable. It disturbs them greatly when you demonstrate you know how to use their technology, not just as well but better than they do. The young people also think you dress funny, especially when you wear a suit and tie, and that you cannot comprehend the jargon, entertainment, or customs of today. They are particularly mystified when you say or do something politically incorrect and it doesn’t seem to bother you.
What oldsters lack in the customs, vernacular and technology of the day, they make up for in hutzpah, guile, and bravado. Their values may be different than the youngsters, but their experiences make them resourceful and a fountain of information. Even better, they have developed a sense of humor laced with wisdom. To illustrate, I have assembled a Youtube! playlist featuring the wit and wisdom of oldsters, which you can access HERE. Some of these stories are funny, some poignant, and others simply entertaining. The intent of is to give young people a glimpse into the mind of the oldsters, how they think, what they have learned, and their perspective on life. From it, you should be able to glean the mindset of oldsters, that they are not obsolete and want to prove their worth.
As for you oldsters out there, you’ll love this immensely.
These essays remind me of the story of two bulls, one old and one young, who were standing on a hill overlooking a herd of cattle. Being a bit impetuous, the young bull said to his elder, “How about we charge down the hill, snort loudly, and make love to a couple of cows?” The old bull replied, “I have a better idea; let’s quietly sneak down the back of this hill, slip around from behind, and get the whole herd.”
The message from these video clips is simple: Giving up is the ultimate tragedy. As long as we have a breath to breath, we need to demonstrate our worth, otherwise it is time to pack it in.
Mark Twain summed it up in terms of how young people perceive oldsters: “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”
Then again, Mark Twain was an oldster when he made this observation.
P.S. – Congratulations to 65 year old trainer Bob Baffer and 52 year old jockey Mike Smith on winning the Triple Crown aboard Justify.
Keep the Faith!
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P.S., Be sure to see my video, “The PRIDE Renewal Tour,” on YouTube.
Copyright © 2018 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
