Sixty & The Sixties

 

The two 60’s have a lot in common

There’s a lot to love about being over 60. If you are over 60, you may remember the 1960's. Of course, that may depend on how many mind-altering experiences you had.

As it turns out, the two 60’s have a lot in common. Some good, some not so good.

In the 1960’s, people began wearing sandals as no time before. They became fashionable and inspired a certain freewheelingness in the wearer. The exposure of one’s feet in polite society as opposed to on a beach was considered a bit unorthodox.

In our 60’s, my friends and I are still wearing sandals- mainly comfortable, flat ones. Of course, this likely indicates an inability to wear less comfortable shoes or even the presence of a bunion!

In the 1960’s, some of us indulged in a recreational herb intake. Now marijuana is back! In our 60’s, some indulge still. Or perhaps for the first time. It may not be recreational but medicinal and we may even have a prescription for it.

The herb, not unlike us, has been through a transformation as well. It can now be ordered off a menu. If you have a headache, pot can make it go away. If you’re feeling anxious or paranoid, this herb can take care of it.

“The Pill” was introduced in the 1960’s and made it a lot easier to have sex without worrying about pregnancy. In our 60’s, some still use a pill to make it easier to have sex but we’re still not worried about pregnancy.

In the 1960's, we enjoyed watching Jagger move like Jagger. In our 60’s we still enjoy watching Jagger move like Jagger — after getting over the shock that he’s in his 70's! Some of us can still move like Jagger — well, almost.

In the sixties, we saw The Beatles introduce meditation and the music created for their new enlightenment. We’re still listening to New Age music in our 60’s while meditating and doing yoga and finding our way to enlightenment. I have to say, from time to time, I still enjoy a good protest song.

We are still railing against fighting unwinnable wars in our 60’s just like in the sixties — except now we do it by signing online petitions and donating to causes that match our sensibilities. We still teach our grandchildren to believe in the possibility of peace because we still want so badly for it to happen.

In the sixties, we cared about the world. We thought we could change it so we marched,volunteered, sang, studied, voted, and wore flowers in our hair to show our love for the planet.

In our 60’s, we’re still doing all of those things. We may no longer be trying to change the world but we’re still trying to make a difference.

I have to say a nice flower still looks good in the hair — even if the hair is silver.