Say this quote in a magazine I was reading on native issues in Alaska. Thought it quite thought provoking.
From Tlingit spiritual leader and Elder statesman Walter Soboleff who passed away on May 22 at the age of 102. He spoke often about the biggest lesson he learned as a young child early on which was to ‘‘Take care of the old person you are going to become".
What do you think it actually means?
Maybe think ahead to the time when you will be old, and don’t just think of the present. That would then lead you to make choices that will probably make your life better when you are old: do your best to stay healthy, save money, etc.
I think it means that the life you live when you are younger, the things you learn, the wisdom you gain, the true friends you collect, the places you experience, will form you into the person you will be when you are old.
I think it’s an admonition to live in a way that creates the kind of life and memories that must make the final years of one’s life satisfying.
[quote=“Tomas”]I think it means that the life you live when you are younger, the things you learn, the wisdom you gain, the true friends you collect, the places you experience, will form you into the person you will be when you are old.
I think it’s an admonition to live in a way that creates the kind of life and memories that must make the final years of one’s life satisfying.[/quote]
It might also mean what would the 80-yo you slap you (the past and current you) upside the head for and pissing him off to no end or disappointing him or giving him some disease and blaming you for it. or maybe he’s in prison because of you, you selfish bastard.
Could also mean that you’re to show respect for the elders in your community: assuming you survive, one day, that’ll be you. But I prefer interpreting it to mean (more conscious) character shaping with a view to the future. Not necessarily with a focus on memory.
I think it means, take care of yourself NOW. Spiritually and otherwise.
Be healthy, stay active, edumacate yourself, sock money away for the future, don’t piss away your life.
Stock up on adult diapers? I always thought the natives in the North’s retirement plan was one last walk out into the snow-kind of like rural Taiwanese people taking that evening stroll across the highway and into traffic…
Take care of your parents. 
I’d like to be like Granny Peng, then. She just celebrated 100 years old with a pig roast -piggie raised by her, poor thing.
[quote=“Mucha Man”]Say this quote in a magazine I was reading on native issues in Alaska. Thought it quite thought provoking.
From Tlingit spiritual leader and Elder statesman Walter Soboleff who passed away on May 22 at the age of 102. He spoke often about the biggest lesson he learned as a young child early on which was to ‘‘Take care of the old person you are going to become".
What do you think it actually means?[/quote]
I don’t know but I like it.
It means Fox has to come up with some equivalent minority figures in China who lived past 102 years of age. That’s what it means. 
it’s all about retirement planning.
“Anybody want to buy a good superannuation policy?”
It means Fox has to come up with some equivalent minority figures in China who lived past 102 years of age. That’s what it means. [/quote]
And was an oracle of original wisdom.
[quote=“Mucha Man”]Say this quote in a magazine I was reading on native issues in Alaska. Thought it quite thought provoking.
From Tlingit spiritual leader and Elder statesman Walter Soboleff who passed away on May 22 at the age of 102. He spoke often about the biggest lesson he learned as a young child early on which was to ‘‘Take care of the old person you are going to become".
What do you think it actually means?[/quote]
easy on the liquor and pills
You have to be careful or you will put yourself in a home.
There is nothing to take care of.
Whether you die alone or surrounded by family members, it is Death which greets every single soul on this planet in the end.
My favorite joke when I was in varsite was this:
The doctor asks his patient
Do you smoke?
No
Do you drink?
No
Do you have wild sex?
No
Why?
I want to grow old.
So the doctor says “For what?”
Then one day a mate of mine said when I told the joke…For quality life. You want to be able to play with your grandchildren and great grand children if you are blessed to live that long.
I said"Party pooper" but now that I have my own kids, I hope I can do that and I hope the shit I’ve done doesn’t ruin the ability to one day fetch my grandkids (in many years time) and change their diapers, take them to play in the park and watch them grow up.
I did all of those things and I’m still far fitter than most people of my own age I know.
More to come!
another 50 years of getting stoned, drunk, shitfaced, wired, and generally bent out of shape. Woohoo! Life is the journey, not the destination.
I read a book recently which explained “why there is no pleasing of the old person we are going to become.”
quote: don’t do anything to embarrass future-old-man and stash some so that old man doesn’t have to go around for food 