I love the passion and power that language can infuse into the human heart. As I continue my journey through the twilight of my life, I find myself writing words that come right from my soul, similar to what an artist does while painting his mind upon a canvas.

Superb writing locks down my attention. The other day, while researching on the internet, I came upon these words about the topic of old age written by author, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde:

“There’s a silent beauty in growing older — wisdom deepens, memories multiply, and yet, within us often lives the same curious, untamed spirit of youth. The world may expect us to ‘act our age,’ but our hearts still dream, still long, still laugh like we’re twenty. Age is just a number. The soul doesn’t count candles — it counts moments that make us feel alive. Never stop living with a young heart.”

I was mesmerized by Wilde’s brilliant perspective about aging, and just like a great movie you want to see over and over again, I kept reading his words over again and came away with a sense of brotherhood with unidentified senior citizens who might be thinking they are still 30 years old like I do.

From the website BuzzFeed come these anonymous words from those who have lived six decades or more:

“My dad died at age 46, and I felt so sorry for him. Now, at age 81, I have had the best life ever and can relax knowing I’ve done it all and am too old to die young.”

“On the cusp of 80, I still enjoy life very much. I travel as much as I can afford to. On the trains, I always speak to young people and love them. I get on great with them. Not all young people dislike older people. Some of them are fascinated with the stories we tell. I love seeing young people experiment with colored hair and weird clothes. This is their time. I had my time in the ’60s with beehive hair, mini-skirts, and 6-inch heels.”

“I’m 78, and the best thing is that I don’t have to filter my thoughts as they tumble out of my mouth. I can just give compliments without being flirtatious, state my opinion without worrying about offending, grasp a hand in friendship, or even give a hug if inclined. I don’t always have to wear makeup or dress uncomfortably. I can just be ME!”

“I found true love at 78 — looking to live another 10 years and die with a smile on my face.”

“My money goes further with fewer people to buy things for. I talk to everyone and treat everyone nicely, even people experiencing homelessness, if they cross my path. I’m not afraid to start conversations; people like the wisdom I share. People will sometimes give up seats on buses and open doors for me. I never had this nice treatment as a young woman, unfortunately.”

These are older people who make the most out of everyday life, a much more difficult challenge for younger adults caught up in the rate race.

According to a recent American Time Use Survey, each day the average employed person spends 7.8 hours sleeping, 8.8 hours working, 1.8 hours doing household activities, one hour eating and drinking, 1.2 hours caring for others and 1.5 hours doing other things.

That leaves 2.6 hours for doing what they want to do.

If life expectancy is averaged to 78 years and you sleep eight hours a day, that means you will be sleeping about 26 years. Life expectancy while we are awake is now down to 52 years. If you spend about 29 years working and about seven years doing chores and eating, then from the time you begin an adult-aged responsible lifestyle until the day you die, your actual lifespan that belongs to your free will is about 16 years.

Our free will guarantees us not one more day. I don’t calculate the years I might have left, it’s about the minutes and moments that I try to cherish. To be present in the now is to enjoy each moment fully.

American writer Walt Whitman said, “Happiness, not in another place, but this place, … not for another hour, but this hour.”

Actress Meryl Streep shared these thoughts about getting older:

“Aging is not for the faint of heart. One day, you wake up and realize — youth has quietly slipped away. But it didn’t leave alone. It took with it your insecurities, your rush to please, your fear of not being enough.

“And in its place? It left you with something stronger: A slower pace, but a steadier step. The wisdom to say goodbye without fear. The grace to cherish those who choose to stay, the power to be you, unapologetically.

“Aging isn’t about losing — it’s about letting go.

“It’s about learning to accept, to release, and to truly see:

“That beauty was never just in the mirror, … it lived in every story, scar, and silent strength we carried within.

“Aging is a gift. Wear it with dignity.”

Author L.R. Knost offers an all-inclusive definition of our human existence:

“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and the awful, it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing. Hold on through the awful and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living a heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s all breath-takingly beautiful.”

Wilde said, “age is just a number” and “the soul doesn’t count candles.”

Seize the day! Play golf. Go fishing. Dance in your living room. Sing to the music you loved when you were younger. Watch a favorite movie that you haven’t seen in years.

We are blessed to be alive. Live this day with gratitude.

Email Rich Strack at richiesadie11@gmail.com