The vast majority of people growing old have not spent their lives learning; while enchanting to look at the 60-70+ year olds that are undoubtedly exceptional (think Warren Buffet or the older COBOL dev you think is cool), the reality is they're in the extreme minority.
The author thinks everyone is like him (or us commenting for that matter) and just think of the possibilities in 30-40 years!
Most people are just not that impressive and I wouldn't falsely assume that by just having spent time on the Earth while it spun around the sun over 60 times they're automatically a pillar of wisdom.
I used to be disappointed when encountering elderly people that were petty and shortsighted and self involved. Eventually I realized that simply getting through the bulk of your life is not necessarily associated with learning and growth.
Then, I saw that reaching old age without wisdom and equanimity produces a suffering and ugly person whose last years will do nothing but spread misery all around.
It’s an under appreciated reason to always try to better oneself: to avoid the carnage that will result in old age, should one fail to do so.
I think a lot of that comes down to taking care of one’s own health, the whole life long. Maybe a bit zany comparison, but: That 60’s old timer car that’s still in good shape and can drive - it’s seen a lot of care and likely no accidents (a result of being careful).
The vast majority of people growing old have not spent their lives learning; while enchanting to look at the 60-70+ year olds that are undoubtedly exceptional (think Warren Buffet or the older COBOL dev you think is cool), the reality is they're in the extreme minority.
The author thinks everyone is like him (or us commenting for that matter) and just think of the possibilities in 30-40 years!
Most people are just not that impressive and I wouldn't falsely assume that by just having spent time on the Earth while it spun around the sun over 60 times they're automatically a pillar of wisdom.