This is my hundredth article. I myself feel surprised that I have managed to write so many articles on just one subject through my mission Never Say Retired, with the basic idea to empower seniors to remain active, engaged and valued.
More than a year ago, a friend once asked me how I would find new topics every week if I wrote only about senior citizens. In truth, it is the encouragement and suggestions from friends that have helped me reach this milestone, and I hope to continue writing for as long as possible.
Friends who appreciate the Never Say Retired mission now contribute greatly to the subjects I take up. I regularly receive dozens of messages—sometimes videos, sometimes short write-ups—that people share with me from their groups because they relate to the theme of seniors.
When I reflect today on the 99 articles that I have written, I feel that if one has the time and readers willing to receive them, an article could easily be written every single day. This hundredth article itself symbolizes persistence, dedication and commitment.
Over time, I have written on many themes. On some topics I have written more than once because of the interest they generated. Many subjects drew enthusiastic responses—for example: seniors who remain mentally active stay happier; social engagement prevents loneliness; having a purpose in life keeps our energy alive; and small daily habits can make a big difference in later years.
While writing this hundredth article, I am reminded of an article I wrote in February 2025 titled “Seniors, Be Disciplined to Hit a Century.” That thought seems even more appropriate today. Therefore, I dedicate this hundredth article to my friends and encourage them to live in such a way that they too can reach this magical number.
A few days ago I watched a short video reel of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. In the clip he mentioned that on his birthday, 17 September, a leader called to wish him and said that he had now turned 75. Shri Modi smilingly replied, “Twenty-five years are still left.”
He explained that he does not count the years that have passed, but rather the years that remain. Instead of spending time counting what has gone by, we should focus on how meaningfully we can live the years that still lie ahead. What a positive way of thinking! Perhaps this attitude is also the secret behind his energy and his tireless work for the nation.
In Sanatan Dharma and the Vedas, the ideal human lifespan is considered to be 100 years (Shatayu). Many Vedic and Upanishadic prayers express the wish that a person may live a full and healthy hundred years.
For example, the Upanishads say:
Kurvann eveha karmāṇi jijīviṣet śatam samāḥ.
One should wish to live for a hundred years while performing one’s duties.
Similarly, the Atharva Veda contains a beautiful prayer:
Pashyema sharadah shatam, jeevema sharadah shatam…
May we see a hundred autumns, live a hundred years, grow in wisdom and continue to flourish for a hundred years.
Every senior can move toward a meaningful and healthy hundred years through small, disciplined steps. Age is not a signal to withdraw from life—it is an invitation to live it with greater wisdom and experience.
It is your affection and blessings that have brought me to this milestone. I thank you all sincerely. I am confident that your support will continue in the journey ahead, and together we will keep working to bring new light into the lives of seniors and help make their golden years happier, healthier and more active.
Author
The author is the founder of the Never Say Retire mission. In order to achieve this goal, he also runs this website and his Facebook group Never Say Retire Forum has Hundreds and Thousands of members today.
