Longevity
I have known of many people in the generation of my grandfathers and grandmother's that is just two generations before where the lifespan of 90 wasn't a big deal. That was an era when technology and science was in a very primitive state. Still, they managed such longevity and that too most of them healthy and fit. I have heard of people who have insisted and have actually washed their own clothes and vessels till the day of their departure.
So if not technology, science and advancements, then what could be the secret. From whatever little I have seen, heard and experienced of that generation, it was their wholeheartedness, selflessness,sympathy 🌼🌼🌼 for others and a nature to give a share of whatever little they had.
I remember many such incidents on my long-awaited vacation to my maternal grandmother's house 🏡. My grandmother had some untold rules set for herself. We used to have cows 🐄🐄🐄 previously in our household and she was the one who looked after them. She was also the one in charge of the kitchen way back when this used to be a large joint family until small units separated into nuclear families, however, still all the siblings chose to stay in the same neighborhood. She usually preferred to have a late bath in the mornings after finishing the work in the household. Breakfast 🥣🥣 would be after that only. Late bath means around 9:30 a m. or so. We all had our breakfast early. Her breakfast was kept aside as per her instructions. Now, whoever went by our house would surely drop in - one to meet us who have come from so far and second to check on my grandmother if she needed anything from the store. On one such morning, someone came in and my grandmother talks enquiring about this and that, her family, etc. During the conversation, she casually asked if that lady had her breakfast to which the reply was a no. My grandmother didn't take a moment to ask us to give her the two dosas and chutney kept aside for her. I wanted to tell (being a kid) granny what will you have then, but then something stopped me from saying so. The lady had the meal and left happily. My grandmother finishes her bath and prayers and manages with something that was available from the previous night. I have heard that in those days, things like kheer, uttapam, Vada, etc are a luxury and would be made very occasionally. Not that there was lack of anything, but they lived a life with minimum requirements leaving behind their earnings 💰💰💰for the coming generations to enjoy. So when any delicacies are made, usually the elders of the house would spread a word to the relatives close by asking them to be present in evening. This again indicates that the portion per head would be reduced but the joy was in sharing and not in eating alone. My father always told me that the joy of taste lasts only till the food reaches the distance from tongue to throat, so for this little distance, we should not give up the joy of giving.
The generations gone by lived by the principles of selflessness and simplicity. Simplicity in life style, thoughts and actions. May be this was the key 🗝️ to their longevity.
Of course, clean water, pure air and organic food was also a bonus. Everyone took care of everyone and everything around them. They lived in harmony with nature 🌴🌳🐿️🐤🐦🐶🦆. Eating, sleeping, bathing, working everything had a fixed time. There was no concept of brunch and hi -tea. Breakfast by 9 a.m., lunch by 1 p.m., and dinner latest by 7 p.m. 🕰️🕰️because the longer you wait the more oil has to be burnt to keep the lamp on. Early to bed, early to rise - not a thought but an action. Simple food that suits your native area, weather, temperature and availability of ingredients. If you grow rice in your area, then rice is your staple food. Water from well and bathing in river. Bathing was an exercise for which now we have to join classes in the name of swimming. Playing is running, hiding, jumping and skipping. No need to have exotic brown rice for fiber and nutrients because being farmers they would chose not to polish the rice as from the humble knowledge they knew polishing would just make the rice beautiful but at the cost of lost nutrients.
Want to apply henna, pluck leaves 🌿🌿🌿from the garden, grind and apply. No chemicals. No side effects. In fact, naturopathy - draws away the heat from your body. Want luscious hair- no branded oils - take some coconut oil and add various leaves to it and a herbal hair tonic is ready. Dryness? What is that? Because everyday before bath you will be applying oil in hair and body. No expensive moisturizers. Feeling bored? Where is the time - joint family, lots of cousins, elders, neighbours, gossips and stories.
That was the era - an era of love, selflessness, simplicity and space for everyone and everything.
I would sacrifice all the richest and luxuries of today if that era and people could come back. Nostalgia!!!
Take care
Regards
SRN
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