When you’re a child, there are certain songs we sing just from memorizing the words. As we grow older though, we start to actually analyze what’s being said in the lyrics and you realize they may not be what you thought they were when you were younger. There are some songs you may appreciate more as you grow older though, too. For me, one song in particular is Forever Young by Rod Stewart.
As I get another year older, the question I’m probably asked most often is “how do you look so young?” It’s nothing really. And I was surprised to learn that this was actually a cover of a Bob Dylan song so read with me some of the lyrics to this song and see what he says on how to keep that youthful look.
“May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you”
Many today don’t like hearing it, but being a religious person does help. Submitting to a higher power changes a person because they don’t live for themselves, but for their god. Especially, in Christianity, Jesus says that you will gain your eternal life if you lose your present life (cf. John 12:25). This also entails helping others as lived out through, what we call, The Golden Rule (Luke 6:31).
“May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you”
Knowing truth is important to youth. The immature mind loathes reality and so the are forced to make up one of their own. The grow increasingly angry when life doesn’t go their way and so they turn to alternative methods with dealing with the stress and things that come with this game we call “life”. We all are going to face many challenges in this life, but staying positive and looking for opportunities that will help you overcome them can make you look younger.
“May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift”
This goes right in line with the last point. Keep yourself busy. Especially, your mind. Never stop learning new things. Henry Ford said it best in one of my favorite quotes of all time, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” An educated mind will yield a young body.
If you haven’t heard this song before, take a few minutes and give it a listen. They Rod Stewart version is a little more popular but the Bob Dylan version is just as good. It takes just a little bit of effort but youthfulness can be attained.