Awww…Look at You, All Old And Cute!
Humorous Inspiring Quotes: Not Letting Age Get You Down
“I have reached an age when, if someone tells me to wear socks, I don’t have to.” — Albert Einstein
Einstein captured beautifully the sentiment that many feel as they age, and that is that they no longer are hemmed in by convention, and they can dress comfortably and how they want.
Self-expression can become a more significant determinant of actions rather than self-discipline.
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” — George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw expressed the view that many of us feel as we age. We can revert to playing with our grandchildren (or other people’s grandchildren) and enjoy the pleasure of pure play and fun as the seriousness of life has passed. We can see and grasp joy in the small things, just like in childhood. Playing keeps us young, not only in body but also in mind and spirit. So whip out those board games, dress up in silly hats, push out your false teeth to scare your grandkids and don’t be afraid to wear yellow and purple!
“At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At age 40, we don’t care what they think of us. At age 60, we discover they haven’t been thinking of us at all.” Ann Landers (1918–2002)
As we age, we realize we are not the center of the universe, and other people’s lives rarely revolve around us. As a result, we are not constrained by what we think others may think of us, but we are free to pursue our passions, choices, and desires without fear of judgment as we no longer care what others say (if they even bother to say anything).
“Old age hath yet his honour and his toil.” Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809–1892)
Many of us will continue to work and be gainfully employed well into our older years. Even if we are no longer in paid employment with technology today education and learning in any field that may interest us is at our fingertips. Research shows that older people make better employees. They are more conscientious, reliable and productive. Society often values youth above age, no more so than today, but regarding honor, we often increase in value as we age! Older workers usually always are better listeners.
“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.” Robert Browning (1812–1889)
Many people fear aging, but aging can be the best time in one’s life. Successfully negotiating the aging process, and embracing being older can mean that people often feel settled in their skin, less stressed, more confident in their abilities, less afraid of others opinions, and find higher levels of happiness. Some are more financially secure which leads to opportunities to pursue interests, travel or engage in charitable works. Many elderly participate in volunteering and enjoy meeting others and finding fulfillment within their communities in ways they were unable when they had to work each day. Old age can exceed expectations for many people.
“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” Betty Friedan (1921–2006)
Betty Friedan was a founder of the feminist movement. She expressed the sentiment perfectly that aging can be a new stage of growth and opportunity. New levels of emotional strength and capacity are experienced.
“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” Satchel Paige (1906–1982)
Do we allow age (a number) and the calendar to define us or identity? Satchel Paige brings up the interesting concept that if we no longer shackle ourselves by what we believe our age should be able to do, or not do, we may find many other choices available to us we may not have considered that may be interesting.
“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” — Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, writer, interior designer, and educator. He designed over 1000 structures. He believed in design that was in harmony with its environment and humanity. He called this organic architecture. His full quote is:
Human beings can be beautiful. If they are not beautiful it is entirely their own fault. It is what they do to themselves that makes them ugly. The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.
“Don’t waste so much time worrying about your skin or your weight. Develop what you do, what you put your hands on in the world.” — Meryl Streep
What a lovely saying. Our skin and our weight do not define who we are. But, it is what we do, what we accomplish, and what our hands are put to that we are remembered by and that brings meaning, fulfillment, and satisfaction to life.
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” — Sophia Loren
A woman recognized as one of the most beautiful women in the world in her day says that being creative is what makes us attractive as it brings beauty not just to our own lives but the lives of others. She said creativity defeats age!
Here are a few humorous quips about aging from different people over the years.
- Every man desires to live long, but no man desires to be old — Jonathan Swift (paraphrased)
- Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you’ve got to start young — Theodore Roosevelt
- Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest — Larry Lorenzoni
- If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself — Anonymous
- Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act — Truman Capote
- Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been — Mark Twain
- I complain that the years fly past, but then I look in a mirror and see that very few of them actually got past — Robert Brault
- An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have: the older she gets, the more interested he is in her — Agatha Christie
- I don’t do alcohol anymore — I get the same effect just standing up fast — Anonymous
- Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many — Anonymous
- Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon — Susan Ertz
- The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age.- Lucille Ball
- You know you’re getting old when you can pinch an inch on your forehead.
- John Mendoza - I can’t wait to tell my kids I was born before the Internet.- Unknown
“Whatever a man’s age, he can reduce it several years by putting a bright-colored flower in his button-hole”.~ Mark Twain
