The Ultimate Price of Growing Old

 

I’ve just tidied up some of my book collection, reminiscing the days I bought them home and devoured them. However, just like any other normal sensical reader out there, there are many that I haven’t read yet.

When words started to get blurry, and I had to get my first glasses, I gradually enjoyed reading and other meticulous hobbies less. I thought that was the price of growing old. When I breathed and sprained a muscle instead of being immortal when I was young, I thought that was the price of growing old.

They are not. The ultimate price of growing old is watching my parents and loved ones do the same. My dad is no longer the strong man I know, capable of almost anything. It pains me to see him taking longer and longer to get up from the floor (he loves playing with Locky) and how his back hunch, how my mom has less and less ability to do her hobbies, but regardless of that, both are still the first one to be there whenever we need them. It’s hard to hold Locky in my arms and know that the more I prepare for the imminent day of losing him, the harder it will be.

I wrote about humans being fragile and full of flaws because of our attachments to others and the what-if options of not having them. A projection, much? I think it’s fair to say that it’s a very real fear for many forever.

Somewhere, if you are not in a good place because you are missing someone or harboring the same fear as me, I wish you peace and strength.

I'm at another editing round of my new book and will be looking for beta readers soon. As long as one person likes my book, I'll continue writing. (Oh yeah, myself included) (I'm not as strong as my younger self, but I'm more stubborn and spiteful, and those keep me going :)

BOOK REVIEW: JOANNA JAMES' JOURNAL (TRISH HENRY GREEN)

 

What I like the most about this book is the earlier few chapters. The reality is gripping, and I feel for the character. The fear of growing old, getting out of the familiar and comfort zone, and watching something she has built over decades crumbling down. It's heartbreaking to see the indifference when someone closest to her slowly becomes a stranger, especially when she has given him her best younger years.

 

The almost drama-free separation also works well, and I can see it happening between two responsible adults. I'm grateful for it because I had become the shoulder to cry on and ears for the ugly and childish similar processes in the past. There were many moments when I wondered how something beautiful turned into an empty shell of itself, sometimes crushed and withered without a trace. So, I find the book's first quarter very powerful and realistic.

 

Regrettably, everything goes in another direction from there. It feels cringey and meta when every character the MC meets loves her book. The story turns into a mundane diary entry style with many fillers, but fair enough, it's a journal, after all. I understand the nature of slow burn in this kind of story, but nevertheless, I feel a bit lost, and unfortunately, it never picks up for me again. I sincerely hope these kinds of stories happen in real life somehow, somewhere, and often, but it gets fairy-tallish, which is the path many romance stories take as the ending. From the gripping emotional and realistic character's life, it turns into Melrose place strings of events.  The book sends the message that the character manages to overcome her fear, insecurities, and the biggest turn in her life, which I applaud. Unfortunately, it's hard to get the point across when everything comes that easy, and the MC has everything cut out perfectly for her financially and romantically with every support imaginable. I get that there are still 'ups and downs,' but I really think only a tiny percentage of ordinary people can relate to all those because it turns into a fairy tale that is loved by many daytime TV viewers and becomes unrealistic. I love being wrong and wish many people had this kind of life.

 

Moving past my nitpick, I think the book is well written, there are many likable characters, and the dialogues are believable. There are many funny snippets here and there, and I also like realistic characters like the fireman and the con artist who conducts the worst writing class ever. It's easy to continue reading, and I actually finished the last 60% in one sitting.

4 out of 5

 

BOOK REVIEW: WHEN THE MIND AWAKENS (OBINNA ONWUGBENE)

 

When I was young, I read How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. To be honest, I barely remember what I read now, and I'm not sure it would work the same now that it has been almost three decades later. Still, I can safely say I learned several things from it, mainly because there are concrete ways to implement the strategies in realistic situations, not merely theories.

Personally, this book is exhausting to read. The points are repetitive, and it almost feels like, for each point, I would read multiple permutations that say the same thing, some theories also tend to repeat in another chapter. The book feels like a prolonged preaching without offering real insights or solutions. True, there are many good bits of advice here and there, but they are apparent points that barely add any skill or more profound understanding. Sometimes, the authors are a bit out of touch. These are not the actual quotes but the impressions I got. Do you feel stressed about bills? Then, pay the bills. Is there an obstacle? Overcome it. Be motivated. Surround yourself with influential people. Crank your self-esteem. Save your money. Believe in yourself. If you do these, you will succeed.

They sound good, but what do I learn? Elaborate theories. There are examples given in story format, which, in my opinion, is the more effective way to do it, but most are very basic and don't inspire much; they are also far between.

As mushy and predictable as they could sometimes be, the Chicken Soup for the Souls series actually provides many inspiring stories and ways to face realistic difficulties and challenges. They are good at opening the mind to looking at things from different perspectives.

I'm very sure the author is a very wonderful and optimistic person, and he means to help people with this book. I genuinely believe and applaud that. Unfortunately, challenges in life are not black and white. Theories are good (maybe), but I think most decently motivated people already know most of those; the challenge is how to fit them into specific circumstances, which is the area in which we need the most help. And unfortunately, it is hard to find a good fit without adjustments, and in reality, nicely polished advice doesn't apply to everyone.

This is my personal opinion though. It might fit into what others are looking for.

3 out of 5