I grew up in communist Poland and when I moved from Warsaw to Milan, it turned out that my peers were not so much my peers. I found myself more with the elderly, the post-war generation. People like me who didn't have everything when they were growing up but were very grateful for the little they had. So with my Italian peers, I felt old. Our physical age does not always correspond to our inner age.
Mindful aging--gotta remember to engage in that when I get old. I'm only in my 78th year now--when should I start?
Seriously, some really good stuff here, Massimo. Kind of why I decided to start a Substack blog--so I can pass on wisdom, entertain others, and, mostly, entertain myself.
Thanks again for persisting in being a teacher, and a good one.
May 8, 2023·edited May 8, 2023Liked by Massimo Pigliucci
Thank you for this gem ! I read and re-read your essay. I have to get Cicero's book. It certainly has a lot of wisdom in it. (...Was he a stoic or not after all? )
Nice piece! Always good to be reminded that what we now know as elders was well known long ago. One challenge we face is helping younger people know more than online “life.” Thanks for doing that, too!
So it is just after 3:00 am in Edmonds. It was either on the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic site where I read about the tendency of we Vintage Practitioners to wake around 3 am for the proverbial “pit stop”. Ah yes one of the joys of the aging process. What an absolutely delightful article. I will share it most definitely.
One of the things I find myself doing is going through all (not much) the things I have and weeding out what I, not to mention my heirs, really don’t need or cart around, in their lives.
Such a practical approach to life you provide. Thank you thank you my very dear friend.
You did it again Massimo……what a fantastic and very timely article. Thank you, thank you for everything you provide. 🙏🏻
I grew up in communist Poland and when I moved from Warsaw to Milan, it turned out that my peers were not so much my peers. I found myself more with the elderly, the post-war generation. People like me who didn't have everything when they were growing up but were very grateful for the little they had. So with my Italian peers, I felt old. Our physical age does not always correspond to our inner age.
Many thanks
Mindful aging--gotta remember to engage in that when I get old. I'm only in my 78th year now--when should I start?
Seriously, some really good stuff here, Massimo. Kind of why I decided to start a Substack blog--so I can pass on wisdom, entertain others, and, mostly, entertain myself.
Thanks again for persisting in being a teacher, and a good one.
Thank you for this gem ! I read and re-read your essay. I have to get Cicero's book. It certainly has a lot of wisdom in it. (...Was he a stoic or not after all? )
Nice piece! Always good to be reminded that what we now know as elders was well known long ago. One challenge we face is helping younger people know more than online “life.” Thanks for doing that, too!
Love it Massimo
So it is just after 3:00 am in Edmonds. It was either on the Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic site where I read about the tendency of we Vintage Practitioners to wake around 3 am for the proverbial “pit stop”. Ah yes one of the joys of the aging process. What an absolutely delightful article. I will share it most definitely.
One of the things I find myself doing is going through all (not much) the things I have and weeding out what I, not to mention my heirs, really don’t need or cart around, in their lives.
Such a practical approach to life you provide. Thank you thank you my very dear friend.
Carpe diem