by Joe Facinoli | Joe’s Corner |
This one is for those of us with a bit more “experience” in life, than our younger friends. But it’s also a good thought process, for everyone.
Clint Eastwood was asked one day, by his friend Toby Keith, while the two were golfing, how is he able to stay so active, and be so involved in all his many different endeavors, most of which are quite successful, while still appearing to be so young and energetic, especially after he has now turned age 90. His response was immediate, and brilliant.
He simply said: “I just get up every morning and go out, and most importantly, …I don’t let the Old Man in.”
Keith then later wrote a hit song by that name, which became the title number for the Eastwood directed movie “The Mule”, and was featured at the end of that motion picture.
Don’t let the Old Man in.
Such a simple thought, and a powerful self-instruction. Just act young, do young, be young, do all the things you want to do, as if you were still in your prime, whenever that might have been, and as much as is physically possible.
Should be easy to make happen, right? Unfortunately for most, at least in this country, …not so much. Because what they think of as “easy”, will never give them the renewed energy which they so desire, never give them the inner strength to continue to push themselves to do the “younger” things they once loved, and still want, muchless make them feel younger than they really are.
Giving up, …is the “easy” route, for too many. It’s just the natural way, they think, while giving in to the more popular thinking of what “getting old” is all about. Doesn’t have to be that way, though, as people like Clint Eastwood prove to us every day, with their forever young energies.
Toby Keith’s words, through Eastwood’s story and attitude, give us further instructions, as well as a bit of a warning regarding the omnipresent and always feared Angel of Death, late in his wonderful song.
He cautions us, while also encouraging us, to do the right thing for ourselves, and above all, to be strong in the face of the inevitable.
Toby and Clint alert us:
“When he rides up on his horse,
And you feel that cold bitter wind,
Look out your window and smile,
Don’t let the Old Man in.”
And they further encourage us through a bit of undeniable reality, and yet, heartening inspiration:
“Don’t let the Old Man in,
I wanna live me some more,
Can’t leave it up to him,
He’s knocking on my door”
Along with one final urging:
“And I knew all of my life,
That some day it would end,
Get up and go outside,
Don’t let the Old Man in.”
It has been said of this song, as well as this thought process, that it is both: “Emotionally Resigned”, and “Quietly Triumphant”, at the same time. Very true, and that’s precisely the way we should see and live our lives, no matter how many years we’ve passed through.
Death will come to all of us, but no matter how many years we are gifted to spend on this Earth, we need to live them all to our fullest potential, for ourselves, our families, our communities, and countries, right up until the very end, and as if we had no idea, nor care, when that end would be.
“Age is just a number.” I have heard that so many times, but in fact, it’s truly nothing more than that. For it is our attitude which matters most.
Even when our bodies wear out, and they will, as long as our minds are still boosting along, and we push them to be, we can enjoy our lives, and those around us, and provide the world with everything that we are capable of giving them. As it should be.
Thanks to all the 80, 90, and 100 year olds, who inspire us every day, with their still sharp minds, and even better attitudes about their circumstances and lives in general.
While hoping that those who have too easily given up, will be inspired by them as well. And even moreso.
Don’t EVER let the Old Man in. Make it hard for the Angel of Death to do his job. Make yourselves enjoy even “that cold bitter wind”, when we “go outside”. Because living every single last day we can, here, in our best way, is certainly better than a future we can only hope we know about.
I know exactly the day on which I was born. But I will always be somewhere around 40, anyway, because those we the sweetest and most fulfilling times of my life.
And I plan to live all the years left to me, in that same, wonderful mental time frame, until that Old Man finally does his job, and let’s himself in. With absolutely no help, at all, …from me.
© Copyright, Joe Facinoli, 10-5-2022
Intelligent Response Encouraged
(But be civil, please)
joefacinoli@yahoo.com