A Heart to Heart talk with My Heart!
One hour morning walk daily is the most regular and meticulous routine in my life ever
since I have transformed myself into a Senior Citizen! This morning while on my regular walk, I had a very “constructive conversation” with my own Heart! It is my pleasure to put it in print so that some of my fellow Senior Citizens also can take heart in the twilight of their lives!
Me Oh my Heart, tell me why are you panting while I speed up my walk?
Heart: Because I also have grown into a senior citizen like you! So naturally I also have undergone a bit of wear and tear and hence my slow pace of activity. But you must understand one thing. In my hey days, while you were brimming with energy in your youth, I have never given you any chance to talk such nonsense like panting. You were not even conscious of my existence! Now, I have my own reasons to give you this panting. This is a warning by me to slow down your pace of activity conforming to your age. All these years I have been very cooperative and supportive to you in all your activities, be it good or bad. Now, let me be a bit strict with you in the best interest of your health. In the coming years, I request you that you should show a little care and concern to me.
Me: What do you mean by care and concern?
Heart: All these years I have been tolerating and managing your roughness and adventures because I was hail and hearty those days and it was my duty to please you and dance to your tune. Now, I have to request you to be a little considerate with me to enable me to give you comfort and happiness in your rest of life. Please reciprocate the love and care I have given to you at your youth.
Me: Tell me what do you want me to do?
Heart: Eat only when you are hungry. Make your food fibrous with less of oil, fat, starch, sugar, and salt. Moderate and regular exercise daily preferably Yoga to keep you comfortable and your mental agility in good condition. Smile lavishly. I can’t tolerate your serious long face which makes me sick.
Me: Oh my Heart, Don’t worry about your sickness. If you are sick I can set you right with the help of our modern technology. I can rejuvenate you with an ANGIOPLASTY or do a BYE PASS as a last resort.
Heart: Oh, that is bull-shit! Don’t go to that extent. As you want to safeguard your freedom and independence, I am also keen in preserving my independence. Don’t deprive me of my natural power to protect you by these artificial means. Allow me to work and quit at my will. No interference please!
Me: All on a sudden if you quit you will put me in great misery.
Heart: I will never quit on short notice or all on a sudden. I will give you warnings well in advance to avoid misery to me and you. Bear it in your mind; the problem comes only when you ignore my warnings. Be aware of my superior strength to perform. I can challenge no machinery in the universe can match my skill! You land in trouble when you are conditioned with misguided information about me. Damn with those myths and have total trust in my spontaneity.
Me: My last question. At the age of 70, how is Amithabh Bachan different from us, brimming with youthful energy and enthusiasm?
Heart: That is a very good question. Amithabh Bachan is different from you in several counts. With all his multifarious activities he finds time to pamper his heart even at this age. He eats strictly balanced food only when he is hungry, where as you stuff your stomach with junk foods at odd times. Regular exercise and yoga are Bachan’s order of the day. Unlike the other celebrities alcohol is taboo for Bachan. May be he is an “Angry Young Man” in celluloid, but he never allows anger to enter him and his premises. Always calm and composed, Amithabh Bachan leaves his heart to function at its will and full spontaneity. So, naturally his heart is reposing on Amithabh Bachan his immense trust.
No wonder, Bachan is always rejuvenated!
Lalitha Narayanan, Thane(west)