Post by Thoithoi O'Cottage on Feb 27, 2014 5:20:39 GMT 5.5
I've a special feeling for the elderly people. Whether educated or not, they have lived a lifetime, and known their own world (from training or real life experience or both) more than the people of any younger generations. Time may have changed, things may have changed, and how the younger generations do things may be quite different from how the elderly people once did in their prime; however, while the modes differ, one basic thing remains the same, as the common denominator of our endeavors and affairs all the time--humanity: in all our endeavors, we are always concerned about our happiness, our welfare, and guard ourselves and our loved ones against miseries. So, our elders, when many of them may not be fully familiar with how we do things (be it new ones or the same they also used to do), they (as they know the substance) will have at least some important things to say about the prevailing state of affairs.
However, in most homes and societies, there tends to be a gap between the elderly generations and their children and younger generations. Both at home and in society, the younger generations tend to see the elderly people as expired tablets who have outlived their good purpose. They exist there as beloved members of our families and our society, but when it comes to how they feel, what they think about how we live, what we do and how we do things, we are not much concerned about them. There they are like non-existent.
We the younger people are mobile, active, and we go from place to place, work with people, talk with people, and this is good for our mental health as well. The elderly people do not move much. They grow weaker by the day, and with that their social interaction decreases. (But they have memories and associated emotions--the life they have lived, their youth, the people they met (and have not seen for ages)... a lot of questions...!) Remaining more or less confined within their homes, where their children do not recognize their valuable and invaluable worth, their minds take an unhealthy turn. The fun they have with their little grandchildren is a relief to them, but their life is wider than what little grandchildren only can fill. They should still have their social life, as long as their health allows them out. Our lifestyle is to dump our fathers/mothers and grandfathers/grandmothers inside the corners of our homes while they are still strong, "kindly" telling them not to work but remain looking after our children and family affairs. Even if you hate them, tell them not to love your children, your father and grandfather will love you, your children and they would love to chat with you, play with your children, and look after your family affairs. This is natural. At the same time, I think we the younger generations should recognize the valuable and invaluable worth of our fathers/mothers and grandfathers/grandmothers (educated or not, pensioner or not, whether or not they did obviously socially remarkable things). We should create more social opportunities for them than occasional shradhas, seasonal nahutpas and luhongbas, etc. Our clubs and civic organizations should also organize events for our elderly people from time to time. There should be space (be it parks or club/organization offices) for them to take rest, meet people and talk among themselves or with people. This will help them live a more satisfactory life than remaining within the four walls of their homes and waiting for the end of their life. If our elders have peace of mind and healthy emotions, our homes will be a better place to live in. The world is not just for us, the younger generations. It's for all of us--infants, children, adolescents, youths, adults, and the old. We should share the world, feel for each other, and live together. This should be possible. All of us should try practice it at our homes.
However, in most homes and societies, there tends to be a gap between the elderly generations and their children and younger generations. Both at home and in society, the younger generations tend to see the elderly people as expired tablets who have outlived their good purpose. They exist there as beloved members of our families and our society, but when it comes to how they feel, what they think about how we live, what we do and how we do things, we are not much concerned about them. There they are like non-existent.
We the younger people are mobile, active, and we go from place to place, work with people, talk with people, and this is good for our mental health as well. The elderly people do not move much. They grow weaker by the day, and with that their social interaction decreases. (But they have memories and associated emotions--the life they have lived, their youth, the people they met (and have not seen for ages)... a lot of questions...!) Remaining more or less confined within their homes, where their children do not recognize their valuable and invaluable worth, their minds take an unhealthy turn. The fun they have with their little grandchildren is a relief to them, but their life is wider than what little grandchildren only can fill. They should still have their social life, as long as their health allows them out. Our lifestyle is to dump our fathers/mothers and grandfathers/grandmothers inside the corners of our homes while they are still strong, "kindly" telling them not to work but remain looking after our children and family affairs. Even if you hate them, tell them not to love your children, your father and grandfather will love you, your children and they would love to chat with you, play with your children, and look after your family affairs. This is natural. At the same time, I think we the younger generations should recognize the valuable and invaluable worth of our fathers/mothers and grandfathers/grandmothers (educated or not, pensioner or not, whether or not they did obviously socially remarkable things). We should create more social opportunities for them than occasional shradhas, seasonal nahutpas and luhongbas, etc. Our clubs and civic organizations should also organize events for our elderly people from time to time. There should be space (be it parks or club/organization offices) for them to take rest, meet people and talk among themselves or with people. This will help them live a more satisfactory life than remaining within the four walls of their homes and waiting for the end of their life. If our elders have peace of mind and healthy emotions, our homes will be a better place to live in. The world is not just for us, the younger generations. It's for all of us--infants, children, adolescents, youths, adults, and the old. We should share the world, feel for each other, and live together. This should be possible. All of us should try practice it at our homes.