"If growing up means it would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up! Not me!" - Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie
Dignity is a wonderful quality. Like wisdom, it grows with age. And, like everything else it should be used judiciously, in moderation.
Our culture is filled with contradictions about age. We worship youth and yet dismiss its immaturity. We admire long years of experience but still make fun of old people and turn them out to pasture. And, the biggest offenders of age discimination are those at both ends of the spectrum.
As a radio personality you can't survive for long at either extreme. Don't let them suck you in. How you perceive and present yourself has nothing to do with target demographics.
Long ago I vowed I would never become a grumpy old man. I enjoy my memories but refuse to live in them. I embrace the present and greet the future with eager anticipation. In short, I strive to be ageless because it's a joyous way to live.
It's also the only way to succeed and survive on the air.
If you are dedicating your life to a career of informing and entertaining you must have respect, compassion and empathy for people of all ages. You can't fake it. You have to get to know and enjoy the company of your elders and the wisdom of their experience. You need to truly understand that even children have a right to the opinions that their limited perspectives allow. Hell, even teenagers deserve respect and compassion.
When you understand this an amazing thing happens: you never get old. You never become grumpy or stuffy because you never stop caring. You delight yourself and everybody who meets you.
If you are young, make friends with your grandparents and hear what they have to say. If you're old, stay in touch with trends, fads and all the things that fascinate youth.
Listen at least as much as you talk. Ask more questions. Don't pontificate too much, though an occasional splash of pomposity can enhance your personality like a dash of lemon in a cheesecake.
Ingratiate yourself without being obsequious.
Don't use big words too often.
You're never too old to laugh at fart jokes. Reality TV is not beneath you.
History is fascinating and important. Words matter.
Age does not.
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