PERKS OF BEING OVER 50

By Francis Kong
Posted: 27 Feb 2011 05:52 AM PST

One evening a husband and wife were engaged in a conversation.

Husband says: “Dear, do you remember Antonio Gomez? He was the student body president at our high school. He was also the captain ball of our basketball team.

I saw him today.”

Wife says: “That was 35 years ago. He was prince charming to a lot of girls I know. So many girls had a crush on him.”

Husband replied: “I know. In fact, after all these years, he has gotten so bald and so fat he didn't even recognize me.”

That’s perspective isn’t it?

Life is not what happens but how you take it.

Some people look at life and they hate it, I look at life and I enjoy it.

We only have one crack at life and we better know how to make the most of it.

Perspective is so important.

Some people go crazy as they hit their mid-life. Some people blossom as they hit their mid-life.

Somebody says, when a man is rising up the corporate ladder and he begins to attain a moderate of success, he drives a BMW. The official signature that signifies success for the YUPPIE. When the same man marries, he switches to a Volvo. He wants safety for him and the family. And when he separates from his wife, he drives a Ferrari.

Now this is an unfair categorization of people by their cars.

My brother-in-law Felix who is nearing his 50’s and who now lives in Mountain View California drives a Honda Roadster and when his church mates accused him of going through his mid-life crisis, he gave a wide grin on his face and said, “No, I am not entering my mid-life crisis, this car is simply a statement that says, “I have ARRIVED!!!”

Growing old is not a negative thing.

You need to have the right perspective to aging. Do you know that there are perks of being over 50? (Somebody who thought of this list must be a genius…never got the name though…)

Let me give you a list of them:

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

3. No one expects you to run--anywhere.

4. People call at 9 PM and ask, Did I wake you????

5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

7. Things you buy now won't wear out.

8. You can eat supper at 4 PM.

9. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size. And the most telling sign that you have grown old is this:

19. You can't even remember what I said earlier.

To all you moving into the Big 50 Range, allow me to give you an assurance.

Today’s 40’s is the new 30’s. Today’s 50’s is the new 40’s. Today’s 60’s is the new 50’s.

With exercise, proper nutrition, vitamins and all that even today’s 70’s is the new 60’s. And today’s 80’s…well…maybe they are still the same 80’s.

Grow old gracefully.

The secret of life is not to do what you like, but to like what you do.

Robert Frost says: “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on.”

A wise guy says: “People are living longer now; they have to--who can afford to die?”

But enjoy life as you get connected intimately with the Author of Life. Then you find purpose and meaning.

So the next time somebody tells you “You are growing old,” chin up, look back at the person and with full confidence say, “I am not growing old, I am turning into a classic!”

Source:http://franciskong.com/