Of late, I would say, after the age of seventy-five, I feel that it is wise to be silent and noncommittal to several happenings around. 

Seventy-five years is quite a long time in one’s life. 

True, one would have crossed over several successes and failures in life and the field or area they have worked. It is but natural. Time, human behaviour, and values don’t stand still. They too change or become flexible if not stubborn. In the same way, likes and dislikes also apply, whether to food items, sartorial preferences, a personality, a novel or book, or a place. Though the items I have mentioned remain the same, our taste and likes or preferences would have shifted either for a better one according to us, not necessarily to others. 

It is, indeed, the order of that day. 

I myself feel these. Though I liked the writings of one author greatly at one point in time, but now for strange reasons I don’t. A particular dish would have been my favourite when young or middle-age, now I have shifted to something else. The colleague who had been a great confidante when in service may no longer be the one, as our paths have parted and each one has travelled quite long distances in these routes. 

The reasons are many. Just not one. Ageing changes the mindset. Makes us temperamental; creates impatience; patience invariably gets beaten. Forgetfulness and slips of words become part of our speech and actions. 

Who or on what should one throw the blame? Ageing. 

In my life, I have seen very few ageing gracefully and in a lovable manner. They are exceptions and not rules. From the appearance, changes keep happening, making one mature or restless until the final rest comes. 

My advice, or to put it humbly suggestion to all those who are in their late forties and fifties, try to make your life as satisfactory and happy as possible instead of postponing things for the future. 

Since it is not guaranteed. 

Being prudent, patient or being practical is the best choice for everyone.