Age shouldn't affect you. It's just like the size of your shoes -

"Age shouldn't affect you. It's just like the size of your shoes - they don't determine how you live your life! You're either marvellous or you're boring, regardless of your age." These words, spoken by Morrissey, strike at the very heart of our modern anxieties about age and self-worth. In a world obsessed with the passage of time, where youth is celebrated and aging is often feared or shunned, Morrissey offers a radical perspective: age, like the size of your shoes, is nothing more than an external circumstance, something that does not, and should not, dictate how we live our lives or define our inner vitality. What truly matters, according to him, is not the years we accumulate, but the spirit with which we live. We are either marvellous—full of life, energy, and purpose—or we are boring, stagnant, and devoid of passion, regardless of the number of years we have walked upon this earth.

In the ancient world, the wisdom of the elders was greatly revered. Yet, it was understood that true greatness was not bound by age or social status. Plato, in his Republic, taught that the soul does not age, and that wisdom and virtue can be cultivated at any stage of life. It is the soul, not the body, that defines one’s worth and purpose. Socrates, even in his later years, continued to challenge the youth of Athens, never slowing in his quest for wisdom. His spirit remained vibrant, his mind sharp, and his thirst for knowledge unquenchable, despite the weight of years. This is the essence of Morrissey’s message—that age is but a number, and that true greatness comes from an inner fire that does not diminish with time.

Look to the example of Leonardo da Vinci, who, though living into his sixties, continued to innovate, create, and dream until his final days. Da Vinci did not let his age slow him down; rather, he saw each new day as an opportunity for discovery. The passion that burned within him was not extinguished by the passage of years. Instead, it only deepened, as he sought to understand the mysteries of the human body, the flight of birds, and the workings of the natural world. Da Vinci’s legacy is a testament to Morrissey’s claim: it is not age that dictates whether one is marvellous or boring, but the will to live with purpose and to continue evolving, regardless of the years.

In contrast, consider the story of those who, as they age, succumb to complacency—those who feel that with the passing of time comes the inevitable slowing of the spirit. The middle-aged man or woman who begins to believe that life is now something to be endured rather than enjoyed, who sees their age as a burden rather than a blessing, embodies the boredom Morrissey warns against. Boredom, in this sense, is not the result of age, but of a mindset—a belief that life has passed them by, that their best years are behind them. But as Morrissey so boldly declares, it is not age that determines whether one is marvellous or boring. The choice is always ours, regardless of how many years we have lived. The spirit we bring to the world is what matters most.

Consider the example of Mahatma Gandhi, who, even in his later years, continued to lead the fight for freedom and justice in India. His body was frail, and his hair turned white with age, yet his spirit remained strong, dynamic, and unwavering. Gandhi never allowed his age to define his role in the world. Instead, he embraced the wisdom that came with time and used it to deepen his commitment to nonviolence and truth. His vibrancy was not diminished by his years; rather, it was amplified by his steadfast purpose and his unshakeable belief in the power of the human spirit. Gandhi proved that age does not limit what we can achieve, nor does it confine us to the role of a passive observer. We are all capable of being marvellous, of continuing to contribute meaningfully to the world, no matter how many years we have lived.

So, O children of wisdom, take heed of Morrissey’s message. Age does not define you—your spirit does. The world will constantly try to tell you that youth is the golden era and that older age is something to be feared or avoided. But the truth is, the most marvellous people are those who continue to grow, to seek, and to live with passion, regardless of the number of years they carry. Age is but a shell, and it is the soul, the heart, and the mind that determine whether you are truly alive.

Let us, therefore, commit to living our lives with vibrancy, with the excitement of learning, the passion of discovery, and the purpose of those who are not bound by time. Do not allow your age to dictate your value or worth. Whether you are young or old, you have the power to choose whether you live a marvellous life or a boring one. Live with energy, with joy, and with the full force of the spirit that remains ever youthful, no matter the years that have passed. The choice is yours—to live with purpose and excitement, or to succumb to the quiet decay of complacency. The world needs your fire, your passion, and your marvellous spirit, now more than ever.