An American icon of Country and Western music, Toby Keith, passed away from stomach cancer at 62. He was one of history's most incredible natural Country and Western talents. In 2018, Toby wrote the song "Don't Let the Old Man In," following a conversation on a golf outing with Clint Eastwood about living life to its fullest, regardless of age.

Clint invited Toby for a day of golf in Carmel, California. At age 88 (today, 94), Clint talked about his next movie venture. In a conversation, Toby asked Clint, "What keeps you going?" Part of Clint's response was "Don't let the Old Man In," a phrase that Clint used to express his belief in living life to its fullest, regardless of age. This phrase inspired Toby to write the song of the same name, which serves as a powerful anthem for embracing age and remaining active and relevant in society and the workforce. The completed song was presented in the Eastwood movie The Mule, further amplifying its message.

The lyrics are great:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc5AWImplfE

Don't let the older man in. I want to leave this alone. I can't leave it up to him. He's knocking on my door.

And I knew all of my life that someday it would end. You can just get up and go outside. Don't let the older man in

Many moons I have lived My body's weathered and worn Ask yourself how you would be If you didn't know the day you were born.

Try to love your wife And stay close to your friends. Toast each sundown with wine. Don't let the old man in

Many moons I have lived My body's weathered and worn Ask yourself how you would be If you didn't know the day you were born.

When he rides up on his horse, And you feel that cold, bitter wind, Look out your window and smile. Don't let the old man in

Look out your window and smile. Don't let the old man in

Aging comes with natural physical and mental diminished capacity. Diminishment arrives for dozens of reasons, often brought about by bad habits and attitudes.

Some consider the aging process natural, some accept it begrudgingly, and some reject it partially or wholly. Advancing age does not have to correspond to societal norms of assumptions and expectations when people advance in years. There are dozens of reasons why older people can reject all the expectations and standards that come with age and go about their life adventures zealously. For instance, they can travel the world, start a new business, or learn a new skill, demonstrating that age is not a barrier to living a fulfilling and adventurous life.

The number of older people in the U.S. population has grown over the past five decades and is expected to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that employment of workers over 65 has grown 117% over the past 20 years and that employment of workers over age 75 has increased by 117%. This growth is a testament to the invaluable skills and experience that older workers bring to the workplace, making them an integral and respected part of the team.

What should older folks do to prepare themselves to stand out above the crowd, remain relevant in their personal lives, and meet the high demand for employment or independent contract work? Here are a few observations about age, continued success, and the pursuit of happiness:Above all, maintain a positive attitude. This could mean finding joy in everyday activities and focusing on the present and future rather than dwelling on the past.

Associate with others who have a positive attitude.

• Work hard to remain physically and mentally active, alert, and busy. This involves regular exercise, engaging in hobbies stimulating the mind, and even taking on new challenges like learning a new language or skill. These activities can help maintain physical health, cognitive function, and a sense of purpose.
• Chart your physical activity daily. Set goals and stick with them. Install a walking phone application. Use a cane, hiking stick, or whatever it takes.
• Embrace your uniqueness and live your life on your terms. This is your journey; your unique experiences and perspectives make you valuable and exciting. Don't be afraid to stand out and be yourself. This empowerment and confidence will help you navigate the challenges of aging with grace and resilience.
• You have much to give, learn, and look forward to.

Live for today and tomorrow.

• Rid yourself of friends (acquaintances) who only focus on old memories of garbage in their lives. People with perpetual stories of negativity can become cancer in our lives. Digging up old bones is unhealthy.
• Eliminate those around you who are not supportive and do not treat you with dignity and respect. You have the power to choose who you surround yourself with. Choose those who uplift and inspire you.
• Reflecting on yesterday(times past) is dangerous and unproductive. We don't need torment and torture. Torment suggests persecution or the repeated infliction of suffering or annoyance, while torture adds to the implication of causing unbearable pain and assists in the degeneration of our mental state.
• Make every effort to assist others and bring value to their lives. Focus on them and their wants and needs. They will respect you for that.
• How can you help advance their business enterprise and make them more financially prosperous in other forms?
• Rely on friends and family to be your support group. You are their support group. Remember, you are not alone. Your friends and family are there for you, ready to provide the support and care you need. This reassurance will help you feel secure and cared for as you navigate the journey of aging.
• Keep friendships close and be open to allowing new relationships in your life.
• Make others feel significant by complementing them.
• Sharpen your skills toolkit and continue your education. This could involve learning how to use a computer, taking online courses, attending workshops or seminars, or volunteering in roles that allow you to learn new skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
• Embrace a nonconformist, unconventional, and unique attitude. Going with the flow of the crowd (crowd or groupthink) can lead to mediocrity and irrelevance. Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. By embracing your uniqueness, you can live on your terms and find true fulfillment rather than being swept along by societal norms and expectations.
• Read or watch the news, but discount 90% of it as noise.
• Societal problems are now someone else's problems, not yours. Your focus is today and tomorrow, not ten or fifty years out.
• Life is not about material possessions but the people you hold dear.
• Do not become an old, isolated curmudgeon. Life could get very lonely.

The outside world:

• The outside world creates the norms and expectations, not us as individuals.
• Conventional societal norms and expectations do not concern what we think or do but what they (our culture and distant adversaries) create or manufacture (expectations).
• Summarily reject all societal norms and expectations that come with age. Don't let outside norms dictate your life. These norms might include expectations about retirement, physical appearance, or social roles, but it's important to remember that these expectations do not define you.

Summarily reject all societal efforts to isolate people where age is a defining characteristic that results in alienation and rejection.

• Reject the conceptions. Go home and become transparent because society no longer wants nor needs you. You have become obsolete, unproductive, irrelevant, and no longer wanted or needed. You have become a burden. Go quietly into the shadows, where the only sounds are from your rocking chair and the television in the background.

In the workplace, older folks have tremendous experience with life and its expectations:

• They bring knowledge, wisdom, and tenacity.
• They bring skills and experience.
• They have a strong work ethic.
• They provide customers with consistency and personal attention.
• They stay at jobs longer and take fewer days off.
• They are more reliable than younger workers.
• They can overcome the perceived technology gap.
• They will prove that multigenerational workforces are better by assisting younger workers with maturity and wisdom.
• They appreciate company goals as well as individual goals.
• They have experience with the sensitivities of coworkers and management.
• They tend to be much more results-oriented than the younger generations.
• Wisdom comes with age.
• They have seen it all and are an excellent choice to work with if given the chance.

Many corporations, including Microsoft, Macy's, Marriott, Home Depot, and thousands more employers around the country, have figured out that they get far more bang for the buck with older workers. They show up on time, don't have excuses, rarely call in with hangovers or illnesses, don't need time off for kids, don't play the game of quiet quitting, and don't need all the myriad other things that come with young people.

Older workers fully understand the concept of getting results for their employers. They will not engage in fake work activity, such as a great resignation or a significant reshuffle, or use a mouse jiggler to pretend to work and exploit their employers. Older workers tend to appreciate having a job, whether working for someone else or as an independent contractor in their chosen field.

Younger workers are prone to look at themselves as the center and focus of the job (it's about me; I am the center of the universe) rather than the employer, the customers, getting results, expectations of profits, and company goals.

Younger people should acknowledge that older people have positive attitudes about work and life; the attitude can be infectious and spill over. Younger people should ask serious questions and listen intently. If they ask serious questions, young people may find that their parents and grandparents have hidden treasures of wisdom to share. Parents and grandparents may possess vast knowledge of the world, an understanding of values and culture, and wisdom. They are anxious to share and be accessible for the taking.