New Delhi, July 1 -- Last July on my birthday, I decided to catch up with a friend who's in her 80s. I had not seen her for a few years as she lived between different cities and countries. I had met her for the first time at a workshop about two decades back when I was in my 20s and she in her 60s. What has sustained this friendship is my friend's capacity for openness, curiosity and warmth that immediately makes me feel at home and the age difference just melts away.

Two hours into our conversation and lots of food, I asked her, "Tell me one piece of advice that you would want me to keep in mind as I navigate life?".

She was quiet for a while and then said, "I don't have any advice to give."

Then she moved on to tell me about her life...