How Young Are You?

Their determination is formidable;

Their endurance seems inexhaustible;

Their continuity impresses the frailty;

Their will embarrasses the idled;

Their unyielding spirits defeat effects of time;

All these that embody in just a few, very fortunate few.

Too many of us their determination defeated by ailments;

Their endurance surrendered at the foot of complacency;

 Their continuity succumbed to tiring mundanity;

Their will fainted by onerous duties;

Their spirit worn out by troubled society;

All these that clung stubbornly to a multitude of us, very unfortunate many.

Yet in the presence of many varied adversities, these few triumphed over such adverse difficulties to demonstrate we do not have to stop, and if we did, we still can pick up, persevere and emulate their triumph. Here, these few exceptions ranging a sexagenarian to a centenarian, age sixties to one century; and having vanquished over 103 miles swim or 41 hours in the oceanic Gulf of Mexico at 62 years old in 2012, defied the cruel gravity imposed by fleeting years to become the oldest yoga teacher at 94 today, and, finally, dismayed the world finishing the gruesome marathon run in 8 hours 11 minutes at 100 years old in 2011 – notably the first centenarian for this; these feats are literally impossible for vast majority of all ages.

Let us not be fooled by their just physical prowess, as the author felt a compulsion, to expose their impeccable mentality and unbroken spirit is above all that drove them to excel in their feats. Looking through their prisms of wisdom, patience, experience and collected virtues, they can persevere and continue to persevere; marking them fine examples of strength and will, wisdom and enlightenment. They serve as an exemplar to inform and remind the world, nonagenarian or the faster sprinter on earth, our minds’ mentality not necessary in a merciless way lessened by aging.

Fauja Singh, who turned 101 years old on 1^st April, 1911, stated he will hang up his running shoes after Hong Kong marathon on 24^th February, 2013, but will continue his passion for running. Readers please feel free to find out more interesting facts of Fauja Singh in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauja_Singh

Tao Ponchon-Lynch, who was an actress, screenplay writer and documentary producer in 1940s to 1970s, has quite an illustrious life until today at 94 years young – quoted in her blog – has no plans to slow down in her successful career as a yoga teacher. Yogic readers may find out more about her in http://www.taoporchon-lynch.com/

Diana Nyad, who has set an untouched distance record until today in 1979 by swimming 102 miles from Bahamas to Florida without a swimsuit and a protective shark cage; an enduring record, both male or female, today in addition to many others amazing feats. For readers with passion for swimming, readers will indeed find inspirations in her blog as http://www.diananyad.com/swim

“To others sexagenarian to centenarian whose impeccable mentality and unbroken spirit spur on their lives with meaningfulness and quality, the author salutes.”