When I was fourteen years old, my Daddy said something I have never
forgotten. He said, “Until twenty-one live like an old man so that after
twenty-one you become always young. Do not mix yourself with those who are
doping themselves, who are drinking and going to prostitutes, this or that. Do
not do it. Be an old man ninety years old as if you are physically impotent. Eat
little; take care of yourself like an old man.”
I never forgot that. When I had my school with six hundred teenagers, very
beautiful boys and girls, I told them this story. I said, “You know, if you take
care of yourself while you are young, then you do not need to take care of
yourself when you are old.”
When I see a woman or man who is ninety, ninety-five, hundred-ten,
hundred-fifty, I am so happy. When I went to Africa there were two ladies, one
who was one hundred forty-seven, the other one hundred fifty-three. Their skin
was like an elephant’s and they were so joyful. I asked, “When are you going to
die?” They answered, “What is your hurry? Let us enjoy a little more.” They were
so funny and happy.
Immediately my Daddy’s advice came to my mind. I said to them, “Can I ask a
question?” “Okay.” “How did you live when you were young?” “We worked from four
in the morning till eight at night. That was our whole life until we were thirty
years old.” “That is the secret,” I said. They did not waste themselves, did not
smoke, did not use dope, did not waste their time in front of television. It is
ugly television that day and night poisons us. They did not go with bad friends,
and now they lived to one hundred forty-seven, fifty-three. They were beautiful,
beautiful ladies.
-Torkom Saraydarian
Virtues & Values vol.2
