On contemplating retirement, it's important to note that I've heard all throughout my life that we are to retire at sixty-five. However, once you reach such an epoch, the question that dawns - now what? As a financial advisor, I would suggest gravitating toward a purpose-filled life where whatever you lay your hands on is done with passion. Old age, albeit associated with slowing down, is rife with opportunities. This concept is not new, but rather goes way back to 44 BC. During this time, Cicero determined to relish these possibilities when Caesar crossed the Rubicon.
Cicero Marcus Tullius, a remarkable Roman orator, and statesman authored a book "how to grow old" delving into the wisdom that aging can provide us, particularly as we transition into the latter portion of our lives. It's interesting to note that this concept hails from around 44 BC, yet still holds profound relevance today.
We find that Greek authors prior to Cicero embodied differing perspectives on the closing phase of life. Some held elders in high esteem, considering them as enlightened torchbearers of wisdom. An example can be seen in Homer's depiction of King Nestor in "The Illiad and The Odyssey." In contrast, there were others who painted a less flattering picture, often characterizing the aged as chronic grumblers, not Tadding meaningful value to society.
A significant voice in this anthology of different viewpoints is that of the sixth-century BC Greek poet Sappho of Lesbos. Her description of aging resonates the strongest for many of us. In a fragment of a recently uncovered poem, she laments the ebbing of her youth, reflecting, "My skin, once soft, is wrinkled now, and my hair, once black, has turned white. My heart has become heavy, and my knees once danced nimbly like fawns cannot carry me." This beautiful and heart-wrenching expression of what it is to age underpins the inescapability of this phase of life. She confronts the inevitability and anguishes over these changes yet acknowledges there's no alternative. No human can escape old age, and the only escape is through death, which forms an integral part of life.
Thus, old age stands as a stage full of contrasting experiences - it carries the burden of bodily changes and emotional flux but also bears the gift of wisdom and a deeper understanding of life. It is a period to be neither dreaded nor belittled, but rather embraced as a meaningful and integral segment of our existence.
Disclosure:
The text provides a comprehensive reflection on human nature and its impacts, covering its flaws and strengths. It discusses greed as a human flaw that can lead to conflict and tension, but it also emphasizes successes due to our empathy and cooperation. The capacity for compassion and cooperation has enabled societal formation and progress, resulting in significant achievements like establishing complex societal systems. The text also highlights various scientific and technological advances, acknowledging our curiosity and ingenuity. By moving from the past to the present and looking at the future, the text promotes the exploration of diverse worldviews, encouraging readers to understand our shared history and be driven to contribute to a better future. The dichotomy of human nature, capable of errors and accomplishments, is highlighted, promoting introspection and learning from the past to optimize prospects.