Play Old Die Young

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” – George Bernard Shaw

Aging isn’t about decline—it’s about how you choose to live. Age is just a count of your trips around the sun. The real question is: Are you making those trips worthwhile? Are you driving through life like a finely tuned classic, or are you sputtering along, barely making it up the hills?

We need to flip the script and look at aging as the accumulation of wisdom, the ultimate performance upgrade. Wisdom is knowledge tested by experience. And experience? It’s the best teacher—if you’re willing to learn.

Imagine life as a video game. Someone at Level 8 has encountered obstacles, shortcuts, and hidden power-ups that a Level 3 player hasn’t seen yet. And a Level 3 player might bring fresh approaches that help a seasoned player.

Yet, we live in a world where ageism persists—where many assume youth means energy, while age means irrelevance. That’s a mistake. I’ve had more fun being a kid with an 80-year-old than with some 20-year-olds. Why? Because youth is a mindset. You can be 80 with the playful spirit of 20—just with six decades of wisdom under the hood.

Here’s a question for you: Would you rather be a 1985 Yugo GV—the "Mona Lisa of bad cars"—or a 1967 Shelby Mustang ("Eleanor") or Pontiac GTO—timeless, powerful, and still turning heads?

Your body may accumulate miles, but how you maintain it determines whether those are joyful miles or breakdowns on the side of the road. It’s not about trying to avoid aging—it’s about maximizing your smiles per mile during the journey.

We must honor the road behind as much as the one ahead. Respecting our elders isn’t about acknowledging them from a distance; it’s about actively engaging with them as living history. Their lessons are roadmaps filled with wisdom—guiding the best routes and the potholes to avoid. But respect goes both ways—veteran travelers should value the fresh perspectives of those just starting out. When wisdom and curiosity collide, they spark the fire of epic innovation.

Act Today:

• Find someone older than you and ask them about their most valuable life lesson. You might discover a shortcut that saves you years. Some of my closest friends are 10+ years older. You might be surprised who you connect with best.

• Play more. Dance, laugh, build something, challenge yourself. Keep your engine running—the ride is far from over. Just ease into the fun. Wisdom from Nuri the Engineer. :-)

Life isn’t about how many years you rack up—it’s about how well you take the corners, how much wind you let rush through your hair (or over your bald head), and how many times you hit the gas, shine that uncontrollable grin, and truly live.

So, what’s it going to be? A forgotten rust bucket—or a golden legend on the road? The choice is yours.

© Nuri Dimler 2025