Check out what Fellini had to say about YOUTH.

It's all there.

Medically, youth has a particular meaning related to time of life. We cannot blink that away.

The average youth has vigour, speed of reaction, resilience, and healthy state of organs in comparison with even a fit person who is older.

The average young person doesn't have wrinkles, or drooping bits.

But a person in what's called middle age might be more attractive and/or healthier than someone younger. Many faces seem to have a blandness in their teens or even early twenties, and only develop a more striking appearance somewhat later on.

If what's meant is more about a youthful outlook, that may have more to do with life experiences, past injuries, past traumas, past achievements, training, confidence... I applaud the emotional outlook that is youthful without being infantile or reckless.

Interesting post and replies.

I don't think that the OP wanted to glorify youth (from what I understand).

Her point seems to be that it's all about attitude. What she might miss is that some people can also be happy in a very quiet way, like sitting in the sun, as springyzone said. But maybe sitting in the sun and being content is attitude too.

What is not good is being negative (which can happen at any age).

Just spotted this thread and found it interesting and just had to add my own observations.

I am female, mid 70s, still work & drive a truck - all part time.  I have a lot of colleagues who envy what I am able to do.  I have had quite a few serious health setbacks but will myself to keep going.  I realise that one day this will all not be possible.  While it is why not do it?

14 years ago I lost my only child who at 38 had 4 kids and I had no choice to push through it all.  It was not easy but no way would I let my daughter's death be in vain.

Of cause I have my moments but life is what you make it.  Would have been easy many times to say - I can't do this but get up next day and do it all again.

We are gone for a long time so why not enjoy and make the most of the years that we have here. 

I believe I owe it to my g'kids and g.g'kids to do for them what their mother would have done had she been here.

Sorry to sound like I am on a soap box but feel too many people give up too easily.

Long live you all and more to the point  -  ENJOY IT.

I don't agree that youth is simply a state of mind and not a time of life.

The very definition of youth is the state of being young, synonym childhood.

Youth, in itself, has absolutely nothing to do with enthusiasm or adventure or worry or power or any of those things.

It's a time of transition and growing, for sure. A time of new experiences.

The thing with youth though, is it is soon over. There's a definite time limit on it and I would say that time limit is about the 25 mark or soon afterwards.

People today would like to pretend they are in their youth till they are about 40 but that (to me) is rubbish.

The brain up to the age of 12 does not have all the connections developed. Children are not able to understand eg philosophy on an adult level. The brain up to about mid 20s in males especially, has still not developed all the filters that would stop an older person from extreme risk taking.

After about 24 or 25, you're not in your youth. You're in the midst of life though and with adult life there come responsibilities and sometimes worries. If you have children, it can mean you can't take the risks or live the lifestyle you did when younger. It's not necessarily about losing your spark, it is about moving on to the next phase of life.

I guess you can tell I am a bit against this idolisation of youth in our society.

There's nothing wrong with growing older, it is part of the natural order.

What we should be aiming for is to lead the best life we can at any age; to have hobbies or activities that give us pleasure, to never stop learning, to enjoy the world around us. I think that is what you were actually trying to say.

I find the definition above of 'whether 16 or 60' to be a bit off. I don't think at 16, most people are at the peak of the 'game of living'. Most of them have barely started. And 60 is certainly not old as such (although a lot of people-children and adults alike- are dead before then, my brother pased at 58).

By about 75 to 80 though, the physical body is usually starting to slow down and have problems that the average 20 year old has never faced. There's nothing wrong with a life of ease, just sitting in the sun, or a walk in the park, if that's what makes an older person happy.

So, make the best of what we have at any age, but please don't insult people by saying we have to pursue 'youth'. Every age is an achievement.

I am afraid nfs might be right.

You mention "60" as old, and yes, I guess at 60 people can still do things because in Australia 60 is not really "old", but at 80 for example the possibilities are far more limited, let alone at 90.

Maybe there should be adventures for the really old - adequate to their age, like picnics, or bus excursions, although those with serious health problems might not be able to do even that.

On the other hand, I have read of really old people doing great things.

David Attenborough is still active in his 90s, although obviously he cannot do what he did when he was younger.

Basically I agree with you. But with some older people the heart and mind may be youthful, but the body is unable to fulfill the "appetite for adventure".  Aging brings a lot more than wrinkled skin! This can be quite sad really because it serves as a constant reminder that we are confined within our anatomy despite our drives and aspirations. Personally, I think it would be even sadder  to die at 80 while feeling young at heart.