Dividend Youth Pays For Aging

The elderly population in my culture isn’t doing well. Many of them must be out there fighting life with the young. Many are asked, “What were you doing when you were young? Why didn’t you plan your life better? Didn’t you think you would get old? Or maybe you didn’t believe you would live this long?”

Many people didn’t believe they would live to be their current age.

Many elderly must be on the street hustling and fighting life in their old age.

Others demand to know from the males, “You gal and sex out all of your money. You didn’t support your children, and the little they have must be given to their children, so you must still fight life in your retirement years.”

Jamaica is a developing country, where nothing is given to us. We must find our own ways to live with what life hands us.

“You spent all of your money looking good while partying, ignoring your responsibilities as a mother to your children. You didn’t raise your children, so now they are helping those who were there for them, leaving mama out there fighting life and aging, while Dementia, arthritis, and other lifestyle diseases eased in,” was said for the females.

My world is real and cruel, where karma never forgets your address and is no longer something you can outrun. One where life’s payback unfolds quickly in real time for the aware ones to witness and learn from.

Some demands, “You shouldn’t be out here fighting to survive at your age. You should be home enjoying aging.”

This one cracked me up. Who enjoys aging with menopause, andropause, arthritis, dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression, and everything else that accompanies aging.

My knowledge of life reminds me of sensible humans who knew and understood life’s phases, and planned for their old age. Many don’t know if they will be alive, but in case they are, they have something.

I can count a few people on one of my hands who planned for their future. Many of the health issues that accompany humans as they age are often caused by their lifestyle in their youth. Yes, how we lived when we were young, pays us back when we are old.

Youth is like an investment. What’s put into it is earned interest. When aging begins, the dividend is due and paid by life, your actions, choices, and decisions. Annelise Lords

Many humans take advantage of their youth, and pain, depression, unhappiness, and more pay them back — the opposite for the ones who don’t.

Start living a healthy lifestyle now while you’re young; the payoff will be better health, a better life, and a longer life. Happiness and your ability to positively influence your generation, adding something beautiful and amazing to the world, are in the mix.

Youth pays us back as we age. The dividend can heal or harm. It can help or hinder. What does your dividend do? — Annelise Lords

If your heart could speak, what would it say?

Transitioning into aging with a healthy body and mind is the best gift we can give to ourselves. Annelise Lords

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.