Enjoying the later years and living a happy life is a common desire for the elderly. To achieve this goal, it is necessary for society to provide support, for families to provide care, and for the elderly themselves to be cautious in their self-care. Ancient Chinese medical experts have repeatedly emphasized the combination of cultivating virtue and nurturing health. "Cultivating virtue and nurturing health are inseparable." Gao Lian also emphasized that "if a gentleman understands and practices self-cultivation, he will achieve both cultivating virtue and nurturing health."
Why must nurturing health be combined with cultivating virtue? This is because good moral cultivation is beneficial to longevity and good health.
As early as the Spring and Autumn period in ancient China, Confucius advocated the idea of "the benevolent live long," believing that "great virtue must lead to longevity." If one does not value moral cultivation and only relies on medical techniques and drugs, it is absolutely impossible to achieve longevity. Ge Hong, a health expert in the Jin Dynasty, once said, "If one does not cultivate moral conduct but only focuses on medical techniques, they will not achieve longevity." Sun Simiao, a renowned doctor in the Tang Dynasty, also emphasized that without paying attention to moral cultivation, even if one consumes elixirs and potions, it will be of no help for longevity. Sun Zhihong, a famous doctor in the Ming Dynasty, further pointed out that without emphasizing moral cultivation, one cannot achieve longevity or blessings. Therefore, if one wants to focus on nurturing health, they must first focus on cultivating virtue.
The ancients' emphasis on the importance of cultivating virtue in nurturing health is indeed insightful. To pay attention to mental health in old age, one must first focus on self-cultivation, especially in dealing with gains and losses.
When a person reaches old age, they may feel the loss of youth, the loss of vigorous energy, the decline of physical and mental abilities, the departure from work and career, and the loneliness of social interactions and the passing of loved ones. The experience of loss is so apparent when the elderly look back on their lives. It is not strange to feel a sense of loss, but if it becomes too intense and one cannot escape from it, leading to a state of "feeling empty in all matters" or even becoming easily angered due to "a hundred things going wrong," it can affect one's physical and mental health. Some elderly individuals also harbor regrets over the loss of fame, status, and material wealth, constantly worrying and having an unsettled mind, which can be even more harmful.
Therefore, the elderly must have a correct attitude towards "loss" and be good at self-guidance and self-relief. Youth fades away and old age arrives; it is a natural process of metabolism, so why bother with it? After a lifetime of hard work and contributions, when one reaches old age and retires to enjoy their remaining years, they can peacefully accept it. Why worry? After years of troubles and difficulties, it is rare to have tranquility. Isn't it a great opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet now? The moon waxes and wanes, and people experience joys and sorrows, separations and reunions. When loved ones have passed away, what good does it do to grieve? Fame and status are like fleeting clouds, and money is an external possession. Why cling to them?
Furthermore, when one reflects, the happiness of life lies in dedication. By dedicating one's youth, energy, and talents to society, they can transform into the happiness of others. Personal "loss" has already become the "gain" of the masses. What harm is there? What loss is there? Looking back on one's life, if it has not been wasted and idle, if one has made contributions and can look back without regrets, isn't that the greatest happiness in life?
As long as a person maintains noble character and a broad mind, they will naturally not suffer from anxiety over gains and losses. Even in old age, they will continue to think about dedication, which will bring them joy and extend their life. Comrade Zhu De can be considered an exemplary model in this regard. As comrades who worked alongside him for many years have said, "Comrade Zhu De devoted his whole life to the revolutionary cause, persevering like a farmer tilling the land, except that he was cultivating and transforming mountains and rivers, sowing the seeds of happiness. He had ideals and pursued them throughout his life, without selfishness or personal worries. Therefore, he was able to remain optimistic, healthy, and live a long life."
