Forever young has nothing to do with delaying or avoiding aging. That’s for the delusional and for the advertisers.
Anyone over 65 knows that delaying aging is impossible. But we can stay fresh and spirited in our mental attitude and outlook on life — even while our bodies age. Today, I’m feeling empowered by Bob Dylan’s song, “Forever Young.”
Written as a sort of prayer for his eldest son Jesse, born in 1966, “Forever Young” expresses a father’s hope that Jesse grow up to be righteous, to be true, to be strong and stay forever young. Of course, Dylan was also singing spiritually and metaphorically in this song. He was singing of love for his son and, I believe, universal love.
Out of respect for his copyright, I won’t quote his lyrics in this article. I’ve linked to the lyrics here, and the song here. If you listen to the song, read some of the comment threads to understand the effect this song has on people. Here is one of them.
This song feels like it wasn’t even written. Like it’s just been in the fabric of reality since the beginning.
Commenter on YouTube
“Forever Young” is not so much a song as it’s a prayer. If you listen carefully to it, it will make you cry. You’ll realize Dylan is a spiritual songwriter. This song can apply to anyone depending on where they are in life.
Now that I’m 80 (and Dylan is 83), I take this song as a message of hope to elders: Don’t give up. Don’t let life’s roadblocks and detours get you down. Keep on walking, even if you’re using a walker. Reconnect with the young person inside you who never dies or runs out of gas.
I’m not sure Dylan meant it universally, but I think that’s how most people react to the song. It’s one of his most popular. It’s the message of love and positivity we need in these difficult times.
May We Stay Forever Young
If we are weak, may we call on that ageless Self inside and draw strength from it. And if we’re in good health, may we help other older people who are weak and losing hope, by truly seeing them, listening to them, and helping them in any way we can.
All of us will grow older and die. We may need home care or nursing home care. Some of us will need hospice care. Some of us will lose our memories and the ability to function in life. But most of us will be cogent and aware of what’s happening to us at the end.
We should all carry this old-age mantra with us everywhere we go. May we be happy, may we be joyous and live in safety — and may we stay forever young.
We older folks should first love ourselves, and then expand to love our senior neighbors and friends.
Courage
May we be courageous, stand upright and be strong — at least strong in heart and mind. There is so much change coming in our lives, and we don’t like change, and we want to resist it, but we must find the courage to embrace it with a young and flexible mind.
We all have a young and flexible mind — it’s just cluttered up with all our worry and fear. And a body tense with fear will become brittle and break. I’ve learned to keep my mind flexible with meditation. It’s a simple practice of letting go of my thoughts one at a time. Meditation has become helpful in my old age.
Please find a way to quiet your mind. Whether it’s walking, lap swimming, gardening, or making art. Do something that fully occupies your mind and gives you a brief respite from life’s storms.
Letting Go
We need to find the courage to let go of the things we love when the time comes. There is nothing we will not have to give up eventually, and it takes courage to freely let go of these things without getting angry. We don’t want to become angry old men and women. Can we leave the world with a smile?
That’s my goal.
Courage is different when we’re old. It’s not the chest-thumping courage of thick charbroiled Porterhouse steaks and martinis. It’s the wise, meek-shall-inherit-the-earth kind of courage that flies under the radar and calms the heart.
I have given up running, and running off my mouth. I’ve given up hiking over rocky terrain for fear of falling and not being able to get up. At least my iPhone will call 911 if I fall on the trail and can’t get up.
But my iPhone can’t call a do-over if I say something stupid. I’ve got to give up unkind speech to help others — not just myself. I’ve mostly given up anger, although anger still flickers now and then. As my mind has quieted down through meditation, my anger has become as subdued as a neutered tomcat.
I’m giving up alcohol and chasing after trendy restaurants. I’m not giving them up so much, but naturally losing my taste for them. My meditation and writing have replaced them.
I’ll eventually have to give up driving. I already drive much less than I used to. There is no specific age when one should give up driving. I’ll know when the time has come — my wife will tell me.
I’ve drastically cut my news consumption. But I won’t eliminate it entirely. I want to know what’s going on, stressful as it is. But I want to consume news, not be consumed by it.
Letting go in old age may be scary, but it’s necessary.
It may have been years since you heard Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young.” I hope you’ll listen to it again and read the lyrics as a poem. Dylan was saying to his son, This is what I wish for you—now and when you’re an old man.
“Forever Young” makes me cry and cheers me up. Sometimes great artists hit a universal nerve and say just the right thing to sum life up. As the YouTube commenter said, “This song feels like it wasn’t even written. Like it’s just been in the fabric of reality since the beginning.”
“Forever Young” is my message to myself, and my hope for everyone.
Gary
March 2025
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