Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on active ageing

[12 January 2008 - Radio Singapore International] Active ageing is a constant process of adjustment. This according to Singapore's Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew. He was speaking at a dialogue session on Friday. The session was organized as part of the Silver Industry Conference and Exhibition or SICEX 2008 in Singapore, an event aimed at promoting active ageing. Recalling the turning points that have contributed to his fulfilling life, Mr Lee first spoke about how he changed his lifestyle when he was in his mid 30s. ... If the mindset is that I have reached retirement age at 62, I can't work anymore. I don't have to work, I just sit back. Now is the time I enjoy life. I think they are making the biggest mistakes of their lives. After one month, or after two months, even if you go traveling, with nothing to do, with no purpose in life, you will just degrade. The human being needs a challenge. And my advice to every person in Singapore, and elsewhere, keep yourself interested, have a challenge. If you are not interested in the world, and the world is not interested in you, the biggest punishment a man can ever receive is total isolation in a dungeon. Black, complete withdrawal of all stimuli. If you want to see sun rise tomorrow, or sun set, you must have a reason, you must have a stimuli to keep going. More