With old school friends, beside me from L to R
Simon Oh Kim Leng, Lee Oon Wah Joe, Peter Ooi, Seline Ooi. (Jan 2025)
The last few weeks have given me pause for reflection over my life. While at 62, I am considered 'young old' with 75 as the 'old' classification, I cant help but feel that my body needs more sleep to recover as well as having the right balance between the following
a) stress and anxiety
b) exercise
c) financial security
d) good health
e) family relationships
f) friends relationships
Stress and Anxiety
I need some stress and anxiety in my life. This is not to say that having no stress is ideal, or a lot of stress is bad. I need to be engaged in the world both mentally, physically and spiritually. This is the concept of 'in the present'.
Being in the present means that there will be things to be concerned about, like our families, children's well being and the circumstances which we are surrounded by. Cost of living pressures, aging issues, mental well being, and peace of mind are all what I would say would contribute to the stress and anxiety level.
Would I want to live a less stressful life ? Well, yes, but then again, if I am faced with challenges each day which necessitates me to use my wisdom, life experience and street smarts, I would say that keeps me and and my mind on my toes.
So, I choose not to take big financial risks at my age, that is the No # 1 Rule. So I can sleep easy each night.
Exercise
Tons of research has shown that vigorous exercise releases a) dopamine and b) endorphins.
These are the 'feel good' chemicals naturally released by the body, and this aids in the overall well being of the person who partakes in exercise. There are 2 components to exercise :
a) Cardiovascular - this is for the heart and legs, primarily for proper functioning of the heart, valves and the most common exercises would be running, brisk walking, swimming, hiking and (if we live in the temperate zones) cross country skiing.
b) Weight bearing exercises - Push ups, situps, load carrying using shoulder, upper and lower back and pull ups, all would be necessary as part of my weekly regimen to be ready for the third age.
c) Financial Security
a) A comfortable home, with no outstanding mortgage
b) transport - a reliable car (mine is the Mercedes E250, with COE paid till 2029).
c) Enough in Medisave and a comprehensive Integrated Health Plan for all health contingencies.
d) A comprehensive payout plan for me, in the event of any of the 35 deadly diseases. I took this plan just before I turned 60 years of age.
d) Good Health - Top Most Prized Asset
I am fortunate to be able to say, that I am in good health and go for a complete health screening check up of my blood, stool and urine. I have been doing this since I was 25 years of age.
I am now encouraging my 2 sons to do the same, and go for the same,.
My most recent blood, urine and stool test showed no major health issues. I must not be complacent. At a recent get together with friends, there were some who had
a) triple heart bypass (2 I know of)
b) diabetes (at least 5)
c) double heart attack, and heart attack.
d) stents inserted and stents within the stents.
e) Cancer (at least one succumbed to the disease last year) ; at least 2 who have told me
f) Mental issues (depression)
Health Supplements
I have been taking health supplements since I was in m/y early 40s, so a good 20 years of accumulated nutrients have been ingested. Has this been a boost to my health over these last 2 decades ?
I would say a resounding "Yes".
In another post I will highlight all the supplement tablets and softgels I have been taking on a daily basis. It has not done me any harm, in fact, it has boosted my immune system over the years. !
Family Relationships
With Andrew (to my left) and Noel
Nov 2022
A happy and united family is the key to each and every person's well being. A capable, supportive and engaging wife is my most treasured asset. Not everybody is destined to be married or in a relationship, so I can only speak for myself.
I also have a pretty good relationship with my 2 sons, 30 and 27 and treasure each conversation I hold with them, and it is a 2 way street - I have learnt to respect their way of life and they, mine.
Happier Times with my 2 Cousins in KL
Peter (passed on in Feb 2024) and Gerard
For my relatives, I pledge to be a more participating cousin for the future, I was so shocked and saddened when my first cousin Peter Abisheganaden passed away on 8 Feb 2024, just one day before the eve of Chinese New Year at the very young age of 63. Is brought me to realise that relationships are very important and keeping up with the meetups with first, immediate family, extended family and friends are so so important.
Friends Relationships
Many of my old school friends are reconnecting. We realise ever so objectively
a) Life is short
b) People forget about you, about one week after you are gone
c) How much you amass is of no concern to anybody outside of your next of kin. Even then, the next of kin, probably would want to get on with their lives sooner rather than later. The only good thing is that if you have left a great legacy in terms of sharing life experiences, coaching and right values, together with some assets.
Hence the rush to reconnect with the people from my youth. There is no agenda, with the only goal of
a) Shared Happy Co experiences of the remaining time I have left
b) Bonding with people of my generation. They are the true survivors and the outlook they have will be totally different with mine. Why ? Because each will walk his own path, each will face challenges, failures and setbacks time and again. How they react or not at all eventually moulds into their character.
I do not judge, for who am I ? Just another ordinary human being.
c) Bonding with the younger generation. They hold the future, so the AI and robotic landscape, the sky high property prices and the fascination with all things environmentally friendly is in their frame of mind.
I need to adapt and at least be accepting. This will be their world, in a few short years, (hopefully decades), my influence, mental cognizance and relevance will all be reduced to next to nothing. In the meantime, I need to adapt or be left by the side of the information and AI superhighway.
