One of the advantages of being older is having greater wisdom. It isn’t always a guaranteed attribute a person accrues with age but it would be rather strange if it didn’t occur as well. I’d like to think I haven’t totally missed out on that score.
At this end of life, it becomes more evident that “less is more”. As people think of winding down and slowly letting go of their hold on the world, so the desire for material things diminishes. We realise that there is no need to accumulate stuff. A lot of it becomes a burden. In the pursuit of peace and contentment, we understand that having fewer possessions is synonymous with fewer worries. At least that’s my belief and nowadays I try to get rid of objects that serve me no true purpose. It leaves less to worry about and the sense of loss is subsequently also reduced.
I’ve always advocated a simpler life where if I can manage to pay my bills and live modestly but comfortably, then that suits me fine. Alhamdulillah, I am there now and have been for a while. No doubt, like all people, I’ve lived through some desperate times but have managed to pull through which is why I’ve learnt to ride the waves that come my way rather than be drowned by them.
I don’t covet to be part of the latest trend or object of material desire. I have accepted that there are some things in life that will always be beyond my reach and perhaps it’s better that way. Having them in my hands might just be the ruin of me in terms of my spiritual health. Instead of focussing my attention on those things, I now cherish meaningful moments I have with family and friends. The impact of those experiences is much deeper and longer-lasting. When a collection of photos appears on my phone, I smile as I relive those times with the people cloest to me. They are priceless! No material possession could ever compete with that kind of happiness.
My trip to Malaga earlier this year is a case in point. I had secretly vowed that one day I would take my sons on a trip somewhere to create memories for ourselves. It was just as I had hoped for…and more, Alhamdulillah. Each and every time I look back at the photos, I remember that we all had a fantastic time together. From the amazing Spanish churros dipped into steaming hot chocolate to our excitement at having completed the Caminito del Ray excursion, all were indescribably blissful moments to be treasured.
Then there are the many times I have met with my own sisters for breakfast, coffee or lunch be it at one of our homes or outside. Every occasion was wonderful and I know we all derived great pleasure in one another’s company. Again, perhaps it’s because we are all at the latter end of life and value these things more than before. Whatever the reason, it’s blindingly obvious that I would choose this life than to be lonely and yet have every material whim catered for.
And to be clear, it’s not that I do not succumb to material desires every now and then. That would be a disingenuous claim. Of course, I have wanted things and have followed those wishes through. However, I would consider myself neither extravagant nor miserly. I subscribe to the middle path which is the Sunnah (prophetic teachings) anyway. I don’t feign poverty nor a luxurious life. I believe this attitude has allowed me to live within my means and never overstretch nor deliberately inhibit myself. More importantly, it has freed up my mind to accommodate the memory of countless experiences, big and small, with the people who mean the most to me and without whom my life would have been void of any happiness.
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