Current issues, feedback & complaints on public services in Malaysia
I REFER to “Senior S’poreans who never cease to amaze” (The Star, Jan 21). I endorse what the writer said, that senior citizens should “continue to contribute to society and the nation”.
We should find a place for them and “make them role models to others and let them feel proud of themselves”.
Many senior citizens, however, do not have a positive mindset regarding age.
That old age limits one’s capabilities and abilities physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and socially is a myth. You are as young as you think.
Many incredible feats are being performed by people advanced in years. Great composers , artists and others produced their greatest works in their old age. In other fields – science and politics among these – many of those renowned for their great achievements were advanced in years.
Behaving like young people, active and alive, rejuvenates and energises old folks, instead of the stereotype – grouchy, disgruntled, demanding and clinging, plodding along with walking sticks or in wheelchairs.
There are senior citizens who think age is a mere number. They are ever optimistic, have hopes, aspirations, plans; and they take an active interest in life. Thus, life has meaning for them. They don’t become irrelevant and sink into oblivion.
It is quite dismaying to hear some elderly folks say: “Oh, I am old, so I should not do anything.” Their non-involvement in life causes degeneration of the body, mind and spirit and also brings about boredom and, possibly, early demise.
Therefore, the golden years are to be treasured and enjoyed and not to be feared. It is an age of freedom, rich in knowledge, wisdom and experience.
Elderly folks can contribute much to society and the nation if they have a positive outlook on life and live a healthy lifestyle.
TAN LEE HUAN,
Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
Source: The Star – January 23, 2008
One response to “Senior citizens still have much to offer”
Leave a reply
What is TwoSen?
TwoSen is updated daily with letters written to newspapers in Malaysia.
We publish all the letters here giving you a single source to keep track of current issues, feedback and complaints on public services. We do not alter the content of the letters, but do allow comments to facilitate positive discussions.
 |
 |
Peter Yew
January 24th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I could not agree more! And thank you TwoSen for this collection of current event letters to the editors. I am coming to 60 and I believe that what we seniors cannot offer by way of our physical abilities or presence we can offer by way of advice, wisdom, foresight and of course our experience. Many seniors want to just fade away because they feel they are like used paperbags destined to be discarded. The younger generation may be too impatient or arrogant to believe that seniors can offer them something useful in life, and in the process repeat history by reinventing mistakes that we have learned to avoid. Fortunately there are seniors who want to continue to contribute. To them I say that the world has been enriched because you did not believe that retirement is being sent into the pastures like old horses are. Even old horses are being put to good use nowadays so why shouldn’t older people? We can learn a thing or two from the west where seniors still help in charity works or earn a small income to get by and pass their time.
So here I am, giving my two sens. To put substance to what I just said, please visit http://www.pbs.org.my to understand the work I am involved in.