Remember the dialogue by Rajesh Khanna in ‘Anand’: “Zindagi lambi nahin, badi honi chahiye” (Life should be big, not long). Exactly! What is the point of living longer if one isn’t actually enjoying life? The pursuit of longevity seems meaningless unless it is paired with genuine happiness. Over the years, medical science has extended the average lifespan, but simply adding years is not enough, we need to add ‘life’ to those years.For too long, the focus was solely on increasing the lifespan. Recently, that focus has shifted to ‘health span’, implying disease-free healthy living in later years. But why stop there? Why not aspire for joyful living (‘joy span’)? Coined by gerontologist Kerry Burnight, ‘joy span’ refers to the physical, mental  and emotional wellbeing required for active and vibrant ageing.  The ultimate aim shouldn’t just be a long, healthy life, but joyous living, a life filled with purpose, laughter and fulfilment.Today’s retirees certainly get it. They are not interested in total withdrawal as advocated in vanprasth, nor do they wish to retreat into the quiet solitude of a sanyas ashram. They retired from a job, not from life! While they adore their grandchildren, they are not content living solely through them. They want a thriving life of their own.Why not? Retirement doesn’t mean the end of the world; rather, it is the beginning of the second innings. The years beyond 60 can be pure bliss provided one stays ‘swasth, vyast and mast’ (healthy, busy and happy).Of course, for ageing to be joyful, longevity must go hand in hand with dignity.  That starts with financial independence. Planning for  the golden years ought to start at a younger age, ensuring a part of  the salary goes into a secure fund so one never feels dependent on anyone later in life.Equally critical is physical independence.  One must invest in health and fitness. Daily walks and regular exercise are non-negotiable. Of course, it’s an ageing body. Like a  vintage car, it needs a little denting and painting from time to time. Despite medical interventions, some health issues are bound to crop up. They are a part of life; one must learn to take them in one’s stride.True wellness, however, is a healthy mind in a  healthy body. Keeping the brain agile requires mental workouts — Sudoku,  crossword puzzles. Even traditional hobbies like knitting have immense cognitive benefits.It is said ‘all work and no play makes Jack  a dull boy’, but the reverse is just as true. With nothing to do, life becomes boring and monotonous. Joyful living requires purpose. There has  to be a compelling reason to come out of bed every morning. Research shows a strong relationship between active engagement and longevity. The  retirees who stay completely disengaged face higher health risks.Our sunset years don’t have to be dull and dreary. We can bring colour into life by socialising, travelling, and staying deeply connected with friends and family. Friends are the ultimate tonic. As actor Sachin Pilgaonkar of ‘Balika  Badhu’ fame put it, “There is no  age for creativity. Intelligence can be artificial, but stupidity is always natural and original.” Let us give ourselves the freedom to unleash a little ‘original stupidity’ with old friends. Sing, dance, make merry, and get rejuvenated!Back to ‘Anand’: “Zindagi aur maut upar wale ke haath hai” (Life and death are in the hands of the Almighty). We can’t control the  number of days we have, but jab tak hai jaan (so long as we live),  let’s make sure we convert our lifespan into a joy span with a grateful heart.— The writer taught at MCM DAV College, Chandigarh