Turning 65: Reflections on Mortality
November 16, 2014
My body turned 65 last week.
Now that its birthday has passed,
so have my morbid thoughts.
"We are the only animal that knows its future demise and oblivion. It's a fate we meet alone with considerable dignity and courage. We have this destiny in common, and should give each other a big hug and pat on the back."
by Henry Makow Ph.D.
1. My body turned 65 on Wednesday. When we are young, mortality is a nebulous concept. But as the end comes into view, and we see people dying at our age, mortality looms large in our thoughts. We cannot appreciate the meaning of life without considering its finite character.
2. My biggest regret in life is not discovering sooner that society is structured like a satanic cult. The rank and file do not know the real agenda: a Luciferian world police state, i.e. "satanic possession." (See "Humanity is Satanically Possessed.") I regret that I sought wisdom and direction where none can be found, from society's oracles ("art", mass media and education) instead of trusting my own intuition and reason.
3. The biggest deception was the programming of men to think romantic love and sex have a mystical value, (i.e. an occult surrogate religion.) Men need to love God not women. The shibboleth that men need to satisfy a woman "to become a man" or "be completed" resulted in a tremendous waste of energy. I pursued women I didn't even like. No real man ever gives any woman power of approval.
4. Sometimes my life feels like a movie that has gone on too long. But usually I anticipate a productive future. Health (energy) is the real gold. Look at Steve Jobs who died with billions of dollars in Apple shares. He would have given them all away just for health.
5. We are the only animal that knows its future demise and oblivion. It's a fate we meet alone with considerable dignity and courage. We have this destiny in common and should give each other a big hug and pat on the back.
6. We are souls trapped in the bodies of monkeys. We cohabit with a monkey. That monkey is our window into this dimension. When this body dies, that window closes. I wish to experience the death of my body dispassionately. Ultimately, "we" (our bodies) will be burned or buried like trash. We need to establish a spiritual identity that outlasts the body. One way may be to "die to the world" before our bodies do.
7. A good way to think of death is as an act of consideration. We are making room for the next generation, like giving up our table at a crowded restaurant for the next diners. We have dined and we are leaving, thank you.
8. Ironically, society pities "Seniors." The secret is that Seniors pity the young, many of whom are caught in a web of delusion. I have never been so confident of my identity and ability as I am now. Yet at 65, I am not employable. Luckily, I don't need or want a job. Except for only 2-3 years, I have always been self-employed.
Why does society spurn the old? Because they remind us of our own mortality. And because they are such a grotesque and pitiful contrast to Adonis young.
9. We begin life with grandiose expectations only to experience a gradual decline until finally we can meet death with complete equanimity. It doesn't have to be like this. We can have lives full of increasing challenge and joy if we can detach from the satanic cult that is modern society. Nor should we give up on society - knowing that a new generation is beginning their life with the expectations we once had. "Seniors" need to help the young, and do our best to leave the world in a better shape.
10. God created man to bear witness to Him. God wishes to know Himself through his Creation worshiping (knowing) Him. Perfection. Bliss, Love. Truth. Beauty. Justice. As individuals and as a species, we were put here to witness to our Creator.
On a lighter note:
Advice to the Young. I have only two words for you son: "Real Estate."
and "NEVER open a restaurant."
First Comment from Wade:
I remember turning 65...It was an event I had no intention of celebrating, so when I turned 65, I was on an Alaska cruise where no one could get to me or throw me a party...which would have been my worst nightmare.
I turned 70 last summer. Turning 70 was for me, like stepping off a steep hill...The only direction possible seemed to be down, and in reality at some point that is, of course, a fact of life. As we age the years become more significant. I really did not feel much difference between being 40 or being 50. At 65 one begins to realize things are changing, and not for the better.
I recently was able to snap out of my doldrums. I have ridden a motorcycle since coming home from the military at age 21. I always wanted a brand new, top of the line, Harley...so I bought one three weeks ago. My wife and I went on a glorious ride yesterday...taking in nature and all the fall colors. She actually enjoys riding more than I do and I love it.
I see a lot of people who turn 70 and then just decide that old age is here and they need to act their age. I understand their attitude, but I think I will pass on going down that road. I recently gave up all alcohol. I am trying to eat much more sensibly and lose some weight. I am starting a regular exercise program. I continue to work full time in my own business that I started 46 years ago. I might retire at age 75, but honestly Henry I do not expect the world, as we know it now, to still be around five years from now. So my attitude is, enjoy the moment, and make every day count as much as I can.
Your analysis of why we are here and what we are created for is right on Henry. If Jesus tarries, we are all eventually going down, and that is a fact of life. However we don't have to lay down and give up. Let's go down swinging.
Ken Adachi said (November 19, 2014):
Life is what you make it. Your mental attitude makes a big difference in how much you are engaged in life and having fun right up to the last breath should be the goal. It's very common to start thinking about the end as we get to this age range, everyone does, but dwelling on the continuing fulfillment and joy of doing everyday things in just living life --and keeping busy-- (it's not a "fight" before dying) can keep you going for a long, long time.
Look at the politicians who stay in office forever, it seems, just so they have a "job" to do and a responsibility to fulfill in order to "keep going." Daniel Inouye, for example, from Hawaii was going to go for his 7th term I think when he died in office at what, age 90 or something?
Kirk Douglas, who starred in Lust for Life, is still kicking and I think he's around 98 years old or close to it. Think of the next 20 or 25 years as your upcoming Golden and "best" years to bang out those great critiques and articles.
Naturally, you have to be more vigilant and take greater efforts to keep your body from going downhill when you get older, but it's doable if you invest the time and effort to find up what needs to be done to keep your energy and agility. Enjoy the game and the challenge to see how far you can go.