RECENTLY, a good friend surprised me by asking unexpectedly what I thought heaven would be like.
A practising Catholic and a bit younger than me (about 60), she explained that, as you get older, you wonder about these issues.
Everyone dies and an increasing number have to face the prospect of growing old, since life expectancy increased by 27 years in the 20th century.
Life is not equal because, for every 100 women aged 85, we find only 35 men.
Testosterone wears out the males. Children now regularly have more grandparents than siblings.
Nineteen of the oldest countries in the world are in Europe, although Japanese society is very old, too.
Acknowledging that a sense of humour continues to be useful in old age, we might define the young old (65-74) as frisky, the middle old (75-84) as frail and those over 85 as fragile.
Bitterness at any stage, but especially in old age, makes us unhealthy, as well as unhappy.
As one grumpy old man explained: "At secondary school, I was voted most likely to hold a grudge and I have never forgiven them."
What we all need, when we are old, is a special hearing aid to filter out criticism and amplify praise.
I concede that such a hearing aid would be dangerous for those in leadership positions because leaders have to hear their critics and evaluate the truth in their claims. But this is another story.
Many seniors have claimed to me that old age is not for wimps, as energy levels diminish and parts wear out.
Often, the knees and hips are the first to go and then sight and hearing decline.
Serious illness usually strikes unexpectedly.
Today, however, many wonderful aids are available cheaply to encourage people to live at home as long as possible.
Company and friendship are always blessings and family, friends and church groups that regularly visit the "shut-ins" are performing important works of mercy.
Modern medicine now knows much more about ageing and also can help effectively many suffering from anxiety or depression.
Depression descends upon more women than men, but often men are slower to seek help or to recognise that they are depressed.
However, it is only in the last 15 years that gerontology courses have acknowledged how important religion and spirituality are.
Belief in a good God and in the happiness of heaven mean that prayer brings peace and strength. [rc]
Cardinal Pell, 68, is Australia's most senior Catholic cleric.
Copyright 2009 News Limited.
July 12, 2009
AUSTRALIA: Bitterness destroys the soul, says Cardinal Pell
.
SYDNEY, NSW / News.com.au / Opinion / July 12, 2009
By Cardinal George Pell, The Sunday Telegraph
RECENTLY, a good friend surprised me by asking unexpectedly what I thought heaven would be like.
A practising Catholic and a bit younger than me (about 60), she explained that, as you get older, you wonder about these issues.
Everyone dies and an increasing number have to face the prospect of growing old, since life expectancy increased by 27 years in the 20th century.
Life is not equal because, for every 100 women aged 85, we find only 35 men.
Testosterone wears out the males. Children now regularly have more grandparents than siblings.
Nineteen of the oldest countries in the world are in Europe, although Japanese society is very old, too.
Acknowledging that a sense of humour continues to be useful in old age, we might define the young old (65-74) as frisky, the middle old (75-84) as frail and those over 85 as fragile.
Bitterness at any stage, but especially in old age, makes us unhealthy, as well as unhappy.
As one grumpy old man explained: "At secondary school, I was voted most likely to hold a grudge and I have never forgiven them."
What we all need, when we are old, is a special hearing aid to filter out criticism and amplify praise.
I concede that such a hearing aid would be dangerous for those in leadership positions because leaders have to hear their critics and evaluate the truth in their claims. But this is another story.
Many seniors have claimed to me that old age is not for wimps, as energy levels diminish and parts wear out.
Often, the knees and hips are the first to go and then sight and hearing decline.
Serious illness usually strikes unexpectedly.
Today, however, many wonderful aids are available cheaply to encourage people to live at home as long as possible.
Company and friendship are always blessings and family, friends and church groups that regularly visit the "shut-ins" are performing important works of mercy.
Modern medicine now knows much more about ageing and also can help effectively many suffering from anxiety or depression.
Depression descends upon more women than men, but often men are slower to seek help or to recognise that they are depressed.
However, it is only in the last 15 years that gerontology courses have acknowledged how important religion and spirituality are.
Belief in a good God and in the happiness of heaven mean that prayer brings peace and strength. [rc]
Cardinal Pell, 68, is Australia's most senior Catholic cleric.
Copyright 2009 News Limited.
RECENTLY, a good friend surprised me by asking unexpectedly what I thought heaven would be like.
A practising Catholic and a bit younger than me (about 60), she explained that, as you get older, you wonder about these issues.
Everyone dies and an increasing number have to face the prospect of growing old, since life expectancy increased by 27 years in the 20th century.
Life is not equal because, for every 100 women aged 85, we find only 35 men.
Testosterone wears out the males. Children now regularly have more grandparents than siblings.
Nineteen of the oldest countries in the world are in Europe, although Japanese society is very old, too.
Acknowledging that a sense of humour continues to be useful in old age, we might define the young old (65-74) as frisky, the middle old (75-84) as frail and those over 85 as fragile.
Bitterness at any stage, but especially in old age, makes us unhealthy, as well as unhappy.
As one grumpy old man explained: "At secondary school, I was voted most likely to hold a grudge and I have never forgiven them."
What we all need, when we are old, is a special hearing aid to filter out criticism and amplify praise.
I concede that such a hearing aid would be dangerous for those in leadership positions because leaders have to hear their critics and evaluate the truth in their claims. But this is another story.
Many seniors have claimed to me that old age is not for wimps, as energy levels diminish and parts wear out.
Often, the knees and hips are the first to go and then sight and hearing decline.
Serious illness usually strikes unexpectedly.
Today, however, many wonderful aids are available cheaply to encourage people to live at home as long as possible.
Company and friendship are always blessings and family, friends and church groups that regularly visit the "shut-ins" are performing important works of mercy.
Modern medicine now knows much more about ageing and also can help effectively many suffering from anxiety or depression.
Depression descends upon more women than men, but often men are slower to seek help or to recognise that they are depressed.
However, it is only in the last 15 years that gerontology courses have acknowledged how important religion and spirituality are.
Belief in a good God and in the happiness of heaven mean that prayer brings peace and strength. [rc]
Cardinal Pell, 68, is Australia's most senior Catholic cleric.
Copyright 2009 News Limited.
