Article No. 29
3-13-01
BEING SUCCESSFUL WHILE GETTING OLD
At 54, many would consider me old. Am I that old? Is being young or being old , more a matter of state of mind than of physical condition?
It’s funny but I feel really old when I am depressed and weighted down by so many problems. I feel young and, yes, vigorous, when everything’s going great and every piece in my plans is falling into place just the way I wanted it to. Feeling young follows the mood of the moment.
When you are getting on in years you tend to look back for past memories. You try to recall pleasant incidents and happy moments. They serve to strengthen and prepare you for the uncertain future. They are like a bank from where you draw interest on savings in building up for the interminable future.
It is believed that being past the middle age, you have either pretty much accomplished what you have set out to do in your life or else you must admit you did not amount much in this wretched world.
So what is, therefore, a life of success from the vantage point of one who has ripened in age and, perhaps, in wisdom?
Some say becoming wealthy especially when your parents wallowed in poverty is a definite measure of success. But some also say it is not what you have amassed in the banks or the quantity of material possessions you have that measure success.
But perhaps material considerations give us only one aspect of success. To succeed is to achieve, it is true. But are you happy in your state of material wealth? Many things come into play. Success should connote happiness and satisfaction. Personal and social relationships, your state of health, your value in the community are considerations that limit the boundaries of your success..
If you are not healthy, what is so much wealth! Better give it to the poor and die a glorious death. At least they will remember you as a generous man.
If you are wealthy but you are cantankerous and have much ill-will against your fellowmen, it is so much success wasted for you have achieved only for yourself.
Perhaps, a truly successful man is not what is in his pocket but how much he has shared of his blessings with others.
As the Ateneo motto states it, you are truly somebody when you are a “man for all seasons “ or a “man for others”.
When you grow old you are satisfied with your life because you have been charitable and loving to your wife, to your children and to your fellowmen.
Is this not a creditable standard from which to measure success?
As one saint said, just do the best that you can according to the best of your ability and God will look upon you with favor.
