Or are you the victim of compulsory retirement, having become sixty-five years or older? Do the days now seem long and drawn out, affecting not only your mental disposition but also your health? In this situation take a positive outlook and try to be helpful to others. As one textbook for the treatment of the aged and handicapped put it: “There is a legend that an old man will starve to death if he doesn’t have someone to cook for him and an old woman will starve to death if she doesn’t have someone to cook for. This is a truism that is generally accepted.” So there are plenty of people who could benefit from your help.

Now as a senior citizen it may be the time to take up one or more hobbies to give added zest to living. It could be photography or learning to play some musical instrument or learning some foreign language. Or you might find interest in growing plants, such as a bonsai garden or African violets. Then again, your temperament might fit you to make things of wood, leather or metal, or to write poetry or articles. Such hobbies have added not only interest but also income for many an elderly man or woman.

The dedicated Christian witnesses of Jehovah in particular have learned to make the best of circumstances. In addition to practicing prudence as regards material things, they use whatever extra time they have in the furtherance of their ministry. They do personal Bible study and research and devote time to preaching the good news of God’s kingdom and in trying to make disciples of lovers of the Bible and of righteousness.​—Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20.