Aging Gracefully: Four Things That Are Making 60 My Best Decade Yet
Issue #247
Last week I celebrated my 60th birthday.
It was unlike any birthday I ever had.
Around 35 of my closest family travelled to Nathdwara. Govats Radhakisanji Maharaj was with us. We had the blessing of six darshans of Srinathji through the day. In the evening, we spent time at Srinathjis gaushala feeding the cows.
The whole day felt satisfying. Complete.
As I stood in the temple queue, my granddaughter held my hand and looked up at me. “Dadu, your birthday is the best birthday.”
She had not seen a birthday celebration without cutting a cake.
It also made me think about my 50th birthday.
That celebration was also in Mewar. Udaipur. The person celebrating was not.
There was music, alcohol. Many friends from that phase of life were there. Quite a few of those people didn’t even wish me this year.
Relationships have seasons. Some stay. Many don’t. That is life.
The contrast between my 50th and my 60th taught me something. Aging is also about discovering what matters and what doesn’t.
And it is real, whatever story we tell ourselves.
I notice it in many moments. Remembering names takes longer. My hairline has started receding. I notice wrinkles. Reading now needs larger fonts and better lights. Recovery from exercise needs more time.
These changes happen slowly. Gradually they become the new normal.
But turning sixty has also shown me that aging is not only about loss. It offers gifts that youth rarely can.
These four have made the biggest difference for me.
1. Humility
In my younger years, I wanted to achieve.
Today, I find more joy in listening than speaking.
I have also realised that very little of what I have achieved belongs to me alone. Every success has been shaped by parents, teachers, mentors, friends, family, timing and His grace.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking less about yourself.
2. Acceptance
There are things I cannot do today that I could do twenty years ago. There are people I miss. There are dreams that no longer matter.
Acceptance is seeing reality and not fighting it.
When we stop fighting what is, we free our energy for what can still be.
Acceptance has made me grateful for what remains instead of mourning what has gone.
3. Beginner’s Mind
One of the best decisions I made last year was to start learning the piano.
I make mistakes every day. Progress is slow. But I love every minute of it.
Children learn because they are not afraid of looking foolish. Somewhere while growing, adults lose that freedom.
A beginner’s mind gives it back. It reminds me that learning keeps us young even when our bodies grow older.
4. Creative Pursuits
I have stopped measuring creativity by results.
I write because writing helps me think. I paint because it slows my mind. I play the piano because it brings me joy.
Creation keeps us connected to life. It reminds us that we can still build, express and contribute.
We don’t stop creating because we grow old. We grow old much faster when we stop creating.
As I look back at sixty years, I don’t wish for younger skin, faster recovery or thicker hair.
I wish to stay humble enough to learn.
Wise enough to accept.
Curious enough to begin again.
And creative enough to keep making something that outlives me.
Perhaps that is what aging gracefully really means.
Not trying to stay young. But continuing to grow.
100 Day Challenge Returns
100DaysToMyBest with me and 999 others!
The 100 Day Day Challenge is back.
Show up. Move. Log In. Inspire.
Walk | Run | Yoga | Swim | Strength Train | Aerobics | Zumba | Sports | Any exercise you love
One decision. One commitment. To Self. A lifetime of impact.
For more details and registration, visit https://100daystomybest.com/
Participation fee of Rs. 649 goes as contribution to Earth Focus Foundation (www.earthfocus.in), to uplift lives of tribals living around Kanha Tiger Reserve. Every registered participant receives a Wellbi t-shirt .
Build your health. Help build life of others.
🗓️ 15 Aug – 22 Nov
⏳ Registrations open 8 Aug
Limited to 1,000 registrations only!!
What’s stopping you from taking up the challenge? #100DaysToMyBest
Who Are You Without Your Job Title?
A few years ago, at the first Communion the facilitator began with an icebreaker.
“Introduce yourself, but don’t use your profession.”
Doctors couldn’t say they were doctors. Entrepreneurs couldn’t say they ran businesses. Chartered Accountants couldn’t say they practised.
When my turn came, I realised I had the same problem.
For years, I had introduced myself as CMD, LNM Auto. My introduction always described what I did, but it never occurred to me that it never described who I was.
From childhood, we are asked one question: “What do you want to become?”
Doctor. Engineer. Lawyer. Entrepreneur.
Rarely does anyone ask: “Who do you want to become?”
The first question builds a career. The second builds a life.
A few months later, while listening to a discourse, I heard Guruji say: “Jo batani pade, woh uplabdhi nahi hai.”
If you have to tell people about it, it isn’t a real achievement.
I opened my social media profile and looked at my bio. It was full of labels. Author. Entrepreneur. Photographer.
I deleted them. Nothing changed in my life. In fact I felt lighter as suddenly the burden to live to that portfolio vanished.
Our profession is important. It deserves our best effort.
But it should never become the only answer to the question, “Who are you?”
One day, every title will disappear.
Your character won’t.
Check Your Mirrors
If you met someone new today…
How would you introduce yourself without mentioning your profession or achievements?
If you like this newsletter you have a zero cost way to support it by sharing with your friends and family and giving a shout out on your social media platform. On Twitterand Facebook or if you have received it as a forward please Subscribe.. Please leave your feedback and suggestions. You can mail me at me@sandeepmall.com or tweet to@SandeepMall using #goodvibeswithSandeep.
Meet you on the Thirty Second Sunday (32/52) of 2026. Take care