Signs of maturity

Another year is over a new year has come.

I have not realized that I have been in the speaking and training business for so long until last September after giving a public seminar, a young pretty lady working with the HR department of a multinational company approached me and said, “Sir Francis, actually this is not my first time to get to know you.” “Oh is that right?” I said. “Yes sir.” She replied. Curious I looked at her and asked, “So when was the first time?” With her cute dimples on her face and those pretty bright eyes she said, “It was when my mom gave me your first book that I really got to know you.” “Oh that’s interesting I said and when was this?” She smiled again and said, “When I was 10 years old!” “Shut up!” I said.

Somebody says: “As you grow older you make a fool of yourself in a more dignified manner.” Now this is what I want to avoid.

There’s something about growing old these days that you and I need to know. With today’s nutrition, exercise, vitamins, antibiotics, probiotics, 50 is the new 40, 60 is the new 50 and 70 is the new 60. In many cases, I have seen people in their 80’s still very productive and still very energetic.

It’s amazing to see how things have changed over the years in the eyes of a person who has aged through it. This material I discovered from the Internet sure tells us the story:

In 1979: It was long hair

In 2009 : It’s Longing for hair

In 1979: It was KEG

In 2009: It’s ECG

In 1979: It was Acid rock

In 2009 : It’s Acid reflux 

In 1979: It was Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor

In 2009: It’s Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor

In 1979: It was Going to a new, hip joint

In 2009: It’s Receiving a new hip joint

In 1979: It was Rolling Stones

In 2009: It’s Kidney Stones 

In 1979: It was “The hell with the system!”

In 2009: It’s “Upgrade the system!”

In 1979: It was Parents begging you to get your haircut

In 2009: It’s Children begging you to get their heads shaved

In 1979: It was Passing the drivers’ test

In 2009: It’s Passing the vision test

Things have changed as one grows older. 

But it’s not aging that is the issue; it’s maturity that is. I have known people who are many years into their senior life yet they still behave immaturely. Age is surely a high price to pay for maturity.

Jonathan Swift says: “No wise man ever wished to be younger.”

Meanwhile popular comedian of the olden age George Burns said: “I must be getting absent-minded. Whenever I complain that things aren’t what they used to be, I always forget to include myself.”

It is very important to learn to grow old gracefully and to live life significantly.

At a senior citizen’s center in Florida, a group of “Seasoned Citizens” were sitting around talking about their ailments:

“My arms are so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee,” said one.

“Yes, I know. My cataracts are so bad I can’t even see my coffee,” complained another.

“I can’t turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck,” said a third, to which several nodded weakly in agreement.

“My blood pressure pills make me dizzy,” another added.

“I guess that’s the price we pay for getting old,” winced an old man as he slowly shook his head.

Then there was a short moment of silence...

“Well, it’s not that bad,” said one woman cheerfully. “Thank God we can all still drive.”

I don’t know about you but I am determined to life, my life to the fullest learning, growing and making myself productive and useful. God has been good to me all these years but I know that the more I have received from Him, the more is required of me.

Somebody says this so beautifully: “Growing old is mandatory but growing up is always optional!” 

(Francis Kong will be the lead trainer for the Dr. John Maxwell’s “Developing the Leader Within You” leadership program this January 28-29 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries contact Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. 632-6872614 or 09178511115)