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(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CinemaCon) |
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‘Don’t Let the Old Man In’ |
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By Roger Simon |
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That wonder of wonders, Clint Eastwood, is still making films that are better than almost everybody’s, at age 93. A few years ago, when he was on the eve of his 88th birthday, he was playing golf with Toby Keith when the country singer asked him, “How do you remain so young and active?” Clint replied, “I don’t let the old man in.” Mr. Keith took those words and wrote a hit song out of them; the video features the great actor/director. Few if any of us can be Clint Eastwood. But approaching my 80th birthday on Nov. 22—the 60th anniversary of the assassination of JFK, I know well, since I was 20 the day it happened—the question of aging is certainly on my mind and Mr. Eastwood’s advice couldn't seem truer. He isn’t alone in his “age is just a number” approach to life. Sophocles wrote “Oedipus at Colonus” at 90, while Anna Mary Robertson "Grandma" Moses didn’t start painting until she was 76 and continued until her death at 101. And then there’s our 80-year-old current president, whose staff frequently cuts his mic before he can make another gaffe, as happened just the other day in Vietnam. Most of us realize that nature, God, karma, or however we want to describe it has a lot to do with how we age. [Expletive] happens. Friends, relatives, and acquaintances, sometimes surprising ones, become ill out of nowhere and are never themselves again or worse. Still, some—actually a significant amount—of our fate is in our own hands. In these times, with the future of our Republic hanging in the balance, it behooves us more than ever to keep active in mind and body and not let the old man or woman in. Like it or not, we are all soldiers in a war for the soul of our country. Not participating to the best of your abilities can end up being the equivalent of acquiescence. Sometimes, I read in comments sections—even at The Epoch Times—a disturbing mixture of cynicism and despair. The other day, this occurred several times in response to my article “On Impeachment, What Goes Around Comes Around.” Some were skeptical that the Republican investigation of Biden’s activities was anything but eyewash, and, in fact, would always be eyewash. I get it. But would we be better without such an investigation? I doubt it. Again, it’s up to us to support and enhance such initiatives. If God, as some think, already has a plan for us, we must do our parts nevertheless. The good news is there’s at least a bit of Clint Eastwood in everybody, somewhere, if we decide to access it. I was (mostly) fortunate to be born and/or bred Type A, so have always worked hard almost automatically to keep the old man out. Of the famous duo—diet and exercise—that are known as our best bets for longevity, I am at least good at the latter, having redoubled my efforts in that regard. |
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Inspired by time’s winged chariot drawing near, I now do 100 pushups (usually in three sets) first thing when I awaken. Every morning, this is a battle as the old man whispers in my ear, “Take it easy, you don’t have to do it; relax, have a cup of coffee and a Danish or three. You deserve it.” Yet, of late, I have been able to fight him off. I also play tennis two or three times a week. Tennis (“chess at 90 miles an hour” as Robin Wiliams dubbed it; I don’t play quite that fast, but I try) has been named the best form of exercise to promote longevity, in studies from Denmark and the UK. The Danish study says it adds a remarkable 9 1/2 years to your life expectancy. I remind myself of that, hoping it’s true, every time I succumb and pull over to the Golden Arches for a quarter-pounder with cheese. What goes around comes around, as I noted on another subject. I say all this not to brag, but to cheer myself on. I have to keep going because there’s nothing I dread more than retirement. To me, it equals death. Others are able to enjoy it more. I could say that I envy them, but that wouldn’t be true. I love what I do. So I feel exceptionally grateful that The Epoch Times has given me this platform for these weekly missives. I don’t want to stop. It’s a privilege that keeps me young more than anything. But before I close this off, I’d like to say something about a related subject that’s supposed to be a big no-no: fat-shaming. We’re not supposed to do it, our moral guardians on social media have informed us, ad infinitum. I’m not sure that’s always true. Of course, if there’s someone in line near you at the supermarket who is clinically obese but has several gallons of Haagen-Dazs and a couple of cheesecakes in his or her cart, you shouldn’t turn around and criticize them or tell them to go spend six weeks at a fat farm and shape up. That’s none of your business and plain rude. This person also may have some form of chemical imbalance, treated or untreated (although in this era of Ozempic and similar drugs, that's less likely), so you also have no business butting in. I also (somewhat) buy the argument that entertainers such as Lizzo can parade their flab for all, putatively to discourage prejudice (though Lizzo herself has been more than a little hypocritical in the treatment of her employees). But if it’s a government official or candidate, I feel differently. They are or are attempting to be our leaders, in words, actions, and by example. Something is wrong when the governor or ex-governor of a state is clinically obese, even, in at least one case, after bariatric surgery. It isn't excessive to regard such people as menaces to public health for the examples they set. They need not be fat-shamed. It probably wouldn’t be heard anyway. But they shouldn't be voted into office or their criticisms of others in any way countenanced by the public. |
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Roger L. Simon is an award-winning novelist, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, co-founder of PJMedia, and now, columnist for The Epoch Times. His latest book “American Refugees” will be published by Encounter on 10/31. “Roger Simon is among the many refugees fleeing blue state neoliberalism, and he’s written the best account of our generation’s greatest migration.”—Tucker Carlson. From the Inbox: Steve O: (Re: Staying Upbeat in Troubled Times) “To which I would add: You’re born, live, then die. You can’t do, think or be in two places simultaneously. Every second wasted with congenitally angry, frustrated, unhappy people is a second lost to one’s short life on earth. Don’t let them drag you down into the hole they’re in. Épater le bourgeois is their motto. AAhhh, I feel much better.” From New Brunswick: “Thank you, Roger. I have felt all of the despairing emotions that have been generated by these turbulent times. I have done all I can think of to do to turn the world back to good. I have walked away my horror and disbelief. I have started to pray again. I have cried and become bitter and satirical because nothing is left inside but ashes of the values and virtues taught as the grandchild of a legal immigrant. My grandparents and parents were deeply patriotic and cherished freedom and capitalism. They wanted a better life for themselves and their children. They made it happen on a small box of belongings and with hopes, dreams, and hard work that I'm sure led to their early deaths. They were good people. Honest people. They were deeply loved. They loved the flag and all it stood for as a commitment against totalitarianism, communism, and the Stasi and Nazi horrors. Full circle we have come now. They (my idealistic grandparents) are gone and the history of our horrors as a growing nation is being erased by naive and ignorant youth that knew none of its perils. Today, I will walk. Today, I will keep abreast of the evil that is fomenting in our Congress, Senate, military-industrial complex, the media, the offices of the elite, and the world forums. Today, I will try my best to be a good citizen. To never hurt another. Today, I will hope that others may do this as well and effect change that gives meaning to the word "civilization.'” |
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