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Sixty years old? Images of quiet contemplation and a slow journey to non-existence come to mind.

The age of retirement is reckoned as a major crisis in life, one that many don’t look forward to. It is considered a time when one becomes incapable of any productive activity. But is this a realistic perception? Is sixty years the time to quit, to say good-bye to an active and fruitful life? Or does life have more in store? Besides, what about creativity and inventiveness? Does the flair decline at sixty? What do those who have crossed this age have to say?

Shyamla Surendran, classical dancer, who just celebrated her 60th birthday says: “Creativity does not decrease at sixty. On the contrary, I find myself overflowing with new and imaginative ideas. This is a unique time when you enjoy mental calm. It helps make your mind fertile and receptive to fresh ideas.

It is never a time to withdraw from life. On the contrary, with the right attitude and a wealth of experience behind you, one can achieve many things.”

What happens when one advances to the mid and late 60s? A worrying factor is whether there will be a drastic drop in creativity.

Senior advocate Govind Bharathan says: “I’m nearing70 and my creativity is at its peak! This is the time, when free from family obligations and job pressures one is at peace with oneself.

This tranquillity makes your imagination and creativity bloom. Also, freed from the passions and pulls of youth, spiritual awareness becomes more pronounced giving you deeper insights into life and making your mind open to fresh and innovative ideas.” Sixty years, for many, is a time when one strikes a balance, and life becomes meaningful. It is a time to take a deeper look into oneself. Yet, creativity apart, this age is still perceived by many as a period when one grows inefficient and incompetent, unable to learn or grasp new things. It is considered a time best not to venture into new or unknown fields or vocations.

But all this is sometimes proved wrong. Urmila Vijayan, a grandmother in her late 60s, who started learning Classical music a few months ago, says: “You are free to explore all that life has to offer. I had always been interested in learning music, but family obligations prevented me. Now that I am free, I’ve started taking music lessons, and enjoy every minute of it.

"Learning a new raga is thrilling and I’m fascinated by the depth and intensity of music. Besides music, I also attended painting classes some years ago and have painted many landscapes and wall hangings.”

Sixty years is certainly no time to abandon your desires or interests. Rather, it can be an ideal time to pursue long cherished passions, new hobbies and pastimes. With the right approach it can be the best time to follow your dreams and listen to your heartbeat. For, life is a continuous learning process.

For testimony and inspiration, go back to history, which is replete with accomplishments and triumphs that would boost sagging egos. Louis Pasteur, for instance, administered his first anti-rabies injection at 62. Lillian Carter, mother of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter joined the Peace Corps to work as a nurse in India at age 68. Besides Nobel Prize winners in all fields are mostly veterans.

So, 60 years is not the beginning of the end, but a renewal or another beginning. What is unsettling more than anything else is the thought of turning 60.

But what about the physical changes that are inevitable with advancing years? Don’t our brain cells deteriorate, diminish and bring about memory loss and clumsiness?

Dr. Diljit Bharathan, a psychiatrist says: “Ageing is inevitable and its symptoms such as absentmindedness and forgetfulness can appear for many even before they turn 60. But, this does not affect our creativity, mental acumen, shrewdness or discerning abilities as long as we keep our minds engaged and stimulated with things we enjoy doing.

"As the body is benefited by physical exercise, the mind too, if motivated, can delay the ageing process considerably. Yoga and meditation are the best ways to keep bo dy and mind rejuvenated.” So don’t give up on life if you are 60 or older. It is not a time to withdraw into a cocoon and renounce life. Rather, it is a stage where you reassess your lifestyle. So get set and go. You are sure to go places.

HEMJIT BHARATHAN

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