Aging in Martial Arts IV

Another short terse post on aging. In most ancient cultures the older folks are revered for their longevity. They are also revered for their experiences and knowledge of life and what life throws at all of us. The cultures I speak of tend to look to the older generation for guidance and leadership because of these and other traits of those who live to the winter years. Especially so because to live that long in ancient times was a rarity. 

Why don't we in the west believe this? Why do we consider our older generation to be a bother and a nuisance? Why do we lose our patience with the older generation as if they are more a bother than a benefit? Why don't we seek out their counsel if for no other reason than to provide us a perspective we as younger humans have not experienced yet? 

I like to refer to the over 100 judo-ka woman, name I can't recall, who still comes to the dojo to observe and on occasion teach judo.  Even at her age and lack of physical ability she is still getting up on occasion and getting on the floor to pass along her knowledge and experiences to younger judo-ka. Why is it we see only this one instance of respect and admiration for those who came before us?

There are many things that change when we reach our winter years but the one hardest to bear is the ignorance and disregard and lack of respect those who follow us pay toward those who have come before. 

This comes to mind to me today as I hear in the halls at work that many think it would best serve the work if they hired newer, younger and controllable young people to replace the experienced, knowledgable and sometimes wiser older work force. Recently a large law suit was successful where about one hundred or so layoffs were awarded a win because they were given notice and all of them were fifty or older. They even called the day of layoff as "grey day." 

Respect our elders, give them their due for they earned it and remember that what they experienced and learned may not be how we do it or want to do it but that knowledge can contribute to a smarter and well informed decision by the younger generation. 

Yes, when I was that young I also tended toward ignoring older folks like me ;-) It doesn't make it right, fair or beneficial to me at that age and consider what I could have accomplished with use of the older guys experience and knowledge!