Septolescent.

Septolescent — Growing Older, But Never Growing Out of Curiosity!

Have you heard the word Septolescent?

It is a delightful, informal expression that brings together two stages of life: the seventies and adolescence. It describes people who may have crossed seventy but have not lost the curiosity, enthusiasm and eagerness to explore that we usually associate with young people.

We often speak of childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age as different stages of life. Each has its own characteristics. But must growing older mean that we stop discovering, learning and dreaming?

Absolutely not!

A septolescent is someone who refuses to believe that age is a reason to put life on hold. There may be a few more wrinkles, some silver in the hair, perhaps slower movements and a little more time needed to climb the stairs. But the mind is still asking questions, the heart is still finding reasons to rejoice, and the spirit is still looking forward to tomorrow.

The joy of remaining curious

Remember how, as children, we asked endless questions?

Why is the sky blue? How does a bird know where to fly? Why does the moon change its shape? How does a seed become a mighty tree?

As we grow older, responsibilities often take over. Education, employment, family, children and countless commitments occupy our attention. Somewhere along the way, we may forget the pleasure of learning simply because something interests us.

A septolescent rediscovers that pleasure.

It could be learning a new language, understanding how a satellite works, reading about an unfamiliar civilisation, exploring the wonders of the human body, learning to use a new gadget or discovering the story behind an ordinary flower.

There is no examination to pass and no certificate to collect. The reward is the happiness of understanding something new.

Age is not the end of new beginnings

Who says that new projects belong only to the young?

A person in their seventies or eighties can begin writing, painting, gardening, travelling, teaching, studying or even taking up something they had never imagined doing earlier.

The advantage of growing older is that we carry experience with us. We have seen successes and disappointments, relationships and separations, changing times and changing generations.

We have stories to share and lessons to pass on.

But we must also remain willing to learn from the younger generation. They understand a world of technology and possibilities that may be unfamiliar to us. When generations exchange their knowledge, everyone benefits.

A grandparent learning something from a grandchild is just as beautiful as a grandchild learning a traditional skill from a grandparent.

Keep the body moving and the mind awake

Growing older does bring changes. We must respect the body, give it adequate rest, eat sensibly and remain physically active according to our abilities.

Walking, simple exercises, reading, conversations, music, prayer and spending time in nature can all bring richness to everyday life.

We need not compete with our younger selves. The goal is not to run as fast as we once did, but to keep moving forward in whatever way we can.

And let us not underestimate the value of laughter. A cheerful disposition makes ordinary days brighter.

The secret is to have something to look forward to

A new book waiting to be read, a flower about to bloom, a festival approaching, a grandchild visiting, a temple to visit, an article to write, or a question whose answer we have yet to discover.

These little expectations give our days freshness.

We should not spend our later years merely counting the years behind us. There is still so much to appreciate, understand and experience.

Perhaps the most wonderful quality of a septolescent is not that they try to behave like teenagers, but that they retain the openness of a learner.

They have the wisdom of experience without losing the wonder of discovery.

Growing older is a privilege

Not everyone gets the opportunity to see seven or eight decades of life. Each additional year is a gift, carrying memories, relationships, opportunities and the possibility of doing something worthwhile.

We cannot turn the clock backwards, nor do we need to.

Let us grow older gracefully, think positively, remain interested in the world around us, share what we know and continue learning what we do not.

Let us never become so old in our thinking that we stop being young in our curiosity.

After all, life does not stop teaching us when we grow older. It is we who must never stop being students.

So, here is to all the septolescents!

May our hair turn silver, our experience deepen, our steps remain steady and our curiosity remain evergreen.

We may be seventy-plus, but our enthusiasm has no expiry date!