Youthisnotatimeoflife; itisastateofmind; itisnotamatterofrosycheeks, redlipsandsuppleknees; itisamatterofthewill, aqualityoftheimagination, avigoroftheemotions; itisthefreshnessofthedeepspringsoflife.
Youthmeansatemperamentalpredominanceofcourageovertimidity, oftheappetiteforadventureovertheloveofease. Thisoftenexistsinamanof 60 morethanaboyof 20. Nobodygrowsoldmerelybyanumberofyears. Wegrowoldbydesertingourideals.
Yearsmaywrinkletheskin, buttogiveupenthusiasmwrinklesthesoul. Worry, fear, self-distrustbowstheheartandturnsthespiritbacktodust.
Whether 60 or 16, thereisineveryhumanbeing’sheartthelureofwonders, theunfailingappetiteforwhat’snextandthejoyofthegameofliving. Inthecenterofyourheartandmyheart, thereisawirelessstation; solongasitreceivesmessagesofbeauty, hope, cheer,courageandpowerfrommanandfromtheinfinite, solongasyouareyoung.
Whenyouraerialsaredown, andyourspiritiscoveredwithsnowsofcynicismandtheiceofpessimism, thenyou’vegrownold, evenat 20; butaslongasyouraerialsareup, tocatchwavesofoptimism, there’shopeyoumaydieyoungat 80.