As DR PUSHPA CHATURVEDI turns 80 today, she shares her secret of staying forever young and joyful
It is said that you’re only as old as you feel. Well, I am only eighty, feeling very pretty, and I am in love with the ‘feeling good me‘!
A Prayer of Thanks
Every morning I say a prayer of thanks for getting to a new day. Today as I celebrate with my family, 80 years of a simple satisfied life of so many experiences, so many memories, I humbly go down on my knees, bow my head and thank God for all that he has blessed me with.
I feel I am one of the most fortunate and blessed individuals,who is healthy, enjoys long walks and solitude, gets inspired by nature and finds peace in its beauty and serenity.
Happiness In Little Things
I find happiness in little things, and feel love filling my whole being. Kindness and compassion have become a part of life. I feel content within and sleep well; all thanks to Gods grace and benevolence.
Live With a Positive Attitude
Some age-related health problems will always be there due to so many years of wear and tear. It’s a question of learning to take them normally in one’s stride, accepting the limitations and trying to deal with them without complaining. Around 80 per cent of health issues as we age are related to our mental attitude. Hence, living with a positive attitude and accepting life as it unfolds is a must to stay healthy.
As we become more aware of our limitations and realise nothing is permanent in life, we tend to become more humble, develop more patience, accept people and life more easily, without any feeling of superiority or inferiority, leaving status and salary far behind us, which seems to have by now totally lost its meaning.
Live In the Here and Now
Living in the here and now reflects on the cheerfulness of life. As we go on adding years, we need to play a dynamic role in looking after our own holistic health and development. Steer the rudder of your own life and take advantage of your unique potentials and personality bestowed upon you, to stay busy and create your own happiness and peace.
Become Your Own Best Friend
Become your own best friend. No one else is responsible for how you think and carry yourself in this ocean of life, it’s only you who is responsible for yourself, to be able to live a longer fruitful life and still stay younger in thoughts and actions.
Sharing below my poetic thoughts on my 80th Birthday
In Love With Life At Eighty
Today as I embrace eighty,
I am in love with the ‘feeling good’ me!
Stepping steadily into eighty one,
Another wonderful vintage year has begun!
Memories are full of love and laughter
comforting silences and silent stirs
dreamy nights, silly fights, awesome delights
magical twilights and some sombre nights!
A few things we all must remember
Age is an attitude, and not a number
Live life king size till you breathe,
Don’t ever stifle or choke underneath.
Age is all about the quality of your mind
Never leave hopes and dreams behind
Keep on soundly planning ahead
Let not your youthful passion feel dead.
When life is cold and you stop being bold
Then you are really getting terribly old
Keep your ambition fires burning bright
Age is never a bar to do new things in life
Listen to your simple childlike heart
Never let the inner child in you part.
Let people say whatever they think
It’s your life, so wink and stay pretty pink.
Pray, play, laugh, prance, dance your best,
Don’t lose your smile, just keep your jest
When love is all that fills your whole being
Then adding years to life feels redeeming.
Learn to say “I’m fine” with a pleasant grin,
No point in complaining about the shape you are in.
For when end of time will knock at the door
Neither you nor me will ever come to know.
Keep singing gratitude as life flows on
Joy and sorrow are like moving pawns
Accept what you can’t change in life
Peace and happiness will then survive
No matter how many years pass by
No matter how many birthdays fly
Live life with a positive zealous mind
Age and its numbers will be left far behind.
Dr Pushpa Chaturvedi, a paediatrician with over 50 years’ experience, is an educationist and researcher, with over 100 research publications, mainly on social paediatrics in renowned medical journals. Ex-Professor and Head of Department of Paediatrics, MGIMS Sevagram, Wardha, she is a thinker, writer, poet, artist and a spiritual blogger with over 500 blogs to her credit. Dr Chaturvedi is also a keen traveller, music and nature lover.
Dear Madam, You have always been such an inspiration, a role model. Thanks for guiding us all. Geeta Gupta Kurhade (Your 65 year old student from 1976 Batch of Sewagram)
Thank you so much Geeta 😗
Wishing you a very happy birthday dear ma’am…May God bless you with all the good health, plenty of happiness and abundant peace in your journey ahead 🌹 Your joyful nature and desire to learn new things at any point of time, has always been inspiring to all of us . A great academician, a caring mother, nature and technology lover..and what not 🙏…Words are not enough to describe your personality… कोटी कोटी नमन 🙏🙏🙏
Dr. Priti Zade (Joshi) : 1996 Batch, MGIMS .
Thank you Preeti
Indeed you are a full fledged blooming tree Pushpa jee. Love and gratitude is your flavor. Kindness & compassion are the nature of your flowers. Steadfast acceptance of now is your strength.
This blog narrates your life and explains about qualities and means you like and practice most. Through every word, i discovered your enigmatic smile.
Your philosophy of life I am sure shall inspire many and I am an active follower of yours. Since the day I knew you were in my city’s Medical College, a sense ofyness enveloped my thoughts of you. I knew you are a decade and one year older than me, but I loved your blogs, paintings and poems. As an elder sister you were always kind to me and many more .
Before a month or so Amitabh Bachchan too celebrated his 80th birthday. Both of you have much long to go. Both of you enlighten many lives.
I want to assure you Pushpa jee! You are a very special life for me.
May Mahaprabhu always bless you. Stay cheerful healthy and happy for the rest of your life.
Manas Das
When friends , well-wishers and younger brothers like you ..all in one are in my life , goodness and positivity comes automatically. Our special bond of Cuttack is another great way to stay connected and blessed .Just loved reading your lovely words of appreciating the imperfect me who is happy in her imperfections ..though I strive everyday to better myself .Thanks a lot for the lovely dialogue and good wishes.🙏