I won't let the old man in!
This is the answer that the admired and nonagenarian actor Clint Eastwood gave to the country singer Toby Keith, when he asked him what was his secret to remain active and brilliant at his age.
When I get up every day I don't let the old man in. My secret has been the same since 1959: keep busy. I never let the old man in the house. I've had to drag him out because the guy was already comfortably ensconced, giving me a hard time at all hours, leaving me no room for anything but nostalgia. We have to stay active, alive, happy, strong, capable.
It's in us, in our intelligence, attitude and mentality. We are young people with independence. We must learn to fight not to let "the old man in".
That old man who waits for us, stationed and tired at the side of the road, to discourage us.
I do not let in the old spirit, the critical, hostile, envious one, that being that searches our past to knot us with complaints and remote anguish, and revived traumas or waves of pain.
We must turn our backs on the murmuring old man, full of anger and complaints, of lack of courage, who denies himself that old age can be creative, determined, full of light and protection.
Growing old can be pleasant and even fun, if you know how to spend your time, if you are satisfied with what you have achieved and if you keep the illusion, adds Clint Eastwood, a legend who has been nominated for ten Oscars, winning four of them. All of them after crossing the threshold of sixty. It's called "not letting the old man in.
These words struck such a chord with country singer Toby Keith that they inspired him to compose the song "Don't let the old man in". (Don't let the old man in), dedicated to the legendary actor.