I have found that staying young has much more to do with your mind than with your body. The body, as Buddhist philosophy, and the laws of physics, tells us is impermanent, constantly undergoing change, and breaking down. Anyone who is past their 40th birthday is well aware of that. But too many retirees enjoying the 'sabai', or comfortable life in Thailand, grow old faster than they should because their minds have shut down.

Look around and you will see many retired foreigners, Old Asia Hands, whose minds have died long before the body has. It is all too easy to slip into a decadent lifestyle here in Thailand. We can hire someone to cook, clean, do our laundry, even do our shopping. That leaves too much time to sit around all day, hang out at pubs at night, make fools of ourselves with young women, and drink ourselves stupid. Retirement in Thailand can easily become the 'Fountain of Old Age'.

But there is a way to retain our youth. Although there isn't much we can do to defy the laws of physics and prevent our bodies from turning to dust, we can stay young by reinventing ourselves. I have changed careers a number of times throughout my life. Each time I changed careers I had to start again from the very beginning. When we start something new it forces us to approach each new day without preconceptions; as if it were the first day of our lives. By doing something new, something we've never done before, our minds must view the world through the eyes of children. It is the real 'Fountain of Youth'.

Thailand offers so much that can be new, exciting, and revitalising. It's the stuff that will keep us young. Here are a few suggestions.

Volunteer. There are scores of NGOs, schools, hospitals and other organisations that could use your skills or a contribution. Even if your skill is simply the knowledge of English, find an English class that needs a native speaker or find someone to tutor.

On the other end of the spectrum, find something to study; something that you have always wanted to know about but never had the time. I have a friend who recently taught himself Latin. Why Latin? Because he always wanted to learn it. For you it could be learning Thai, or taking up painting, or cooking, or learning photography, or studying Buddhism or reading the classics, or practicing yoga or meditation, or even writing a magazine column on retirement.

Why not travel while the airfares are still fairly cheap? We are close to so many great places to visit. There are all the Southeast Asian countries, and China, India, and Australia. It would take years to visit all the 'amazing' destinations right here in Thailand itself. Keep a journal. Write an internet Blog where you can upload your observations and pictures and where all your friends and family back home can keep up with your odysseys.

Above all, keep your life new and meaningful and by doing so stay alive.
To read more on Thailand Destinations try: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293915-Activities-Thailand.html
To read on-line journals about Thailand try: http://travelchannel.igougo.com/planning/journalRegion.asp?LocationID=304
Send your questions on retirement to Thailand to: retirement@chiangmaicitylife.com.