The Agony of the Aged

I am in the mid- eighties. The lessons from the Whatsapp University where I am registered contain many forwards, videos and audios extolling the virtues of developing a detached view of life and matters.  Spirituality, as opposed to indulgence in worldly pursuits, is suggested as the mantra for daring the inevitable extinction of life.  For the body, some minimal physical activity like walking and for the mind, some form of meditation is recommended. I have tried but failed. 

  Let me begin with my attempt to walk 30 minutes a day for at least   5 days a week.  My problem is choosing the 5 days.  Should they be successive 5 days or odd/even or random five days?  Should weekends Saturdays and Sundays and other holidays be excluded?   Should they be in the mornings or evenings or some days in the morning and other days in the evening?  Of course, I have duly invested in buying the appropriate footwear, shorts, T-shirts, caps, and even a walking stick but the choice problem is looming so large that the walks have yet to begin.

 Next, about the minimum aerobic exercises for keeping the body trim and the BMI within limits. . Here too I am not able to start because the question of whether to do them before or after the morning ablutions has yet to be reconciled.  The only thing I am able to practice regularly is the Savasana suggested to do in the end. Many a day, it extends to almost 15 minutes against the recommended 3 minutes.

Controlling the diet to keep away cholesterol, BP, diabetes, and the inevitable obesity by avoiding the Five Whites, i.e. salt, sugar, butter, milk, and maida, is easier said than done.  While sugar has been discontinued in my coffee and tea,   I cannot eat sugar/saccharin-less cake, pastry, jalebi or rosogolla.

In our youth, there was no internet and digital compulsion.  Railway tickets were obtained across the counter after waiting for hours and for journeys when berths were available.  All payments were on a cash basis and overdue settlement was interest-free. No EMI on credit card entailing exorbitant interest charges.    Online purchases were unheard of. Therefore, there was no fear of disclosing OTP or passwords to unauthorized persons. Memorizing the Aadhaar and PAN card numbers did not arise... The balances in my Bank Savings Accounts were safe. The Bank Cashier was a friend though he made one wait while he sipped tea or chatted with his colleague. No ATMs to expose your Balance of mind and money.   Fraudsters are on the prowl.  One cannot pin them down for stealing one’s PIN.   The online customer care number,  though accessible 24/7, is vexatious enough to offer unwanted options except the chance to speak to some person for airing a problem other than those included in the programmed menu of options.

All in all, I am in a fix not able to go spiritual, keep my body and mind healthy,  protect even my meager bank balance or cope with the challenges of the internet and digital technology.  Will they or I pass before long.?

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