Michael Jackson (50) and Farah Fawcett (62) both died today (6/25/09). Whether you liked them or not, both were fairly young. Deaths like this remind us that life can be short. After I turned 50, my experience is that mortality slaps me increasingly harder every year.
Presently, I have two friends (ages 66 and 36) who are fighting cancer. My parents have been dead for years. My wife has not only lost her parents, but also both her brother and her sister.
What does our mortality try to teach us?
1.That we don't know how much time we have on earth.
2.To be grateful for our health and other blessings.
3.To love and to treat others well.
4.To try to live life to the fullest.
5.To live in moderation and with a healthy lifestyle.
6.For those of us with a spiritual practice, to do just that. PRACTICE it it!
More personally, I think God is trying to remind me to stop my whining about insignificant things.
In the immortal words of Bill and Ted, “Be EXCELLENT to each other!”
Best wishes,
Mike
Showing posts with label mortality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mortality. Show all posts
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Look for the good in others
Yesterday, we took our son to the University of Toledo. The idea and then reality has been somewhat difficult to deal with. It seems that only yesterday (more like 15 years) that even when he was around people he knew, he would still be hugging my leg. I accept (and somewhat celebrate) his being able to leave is evidence that my wife and I have done a decent job and helped him become more independent and socially comfortable. Last year, he attended community college and lived at home. It was an excellent transition for him from High School. Part of my difficulties is that it is one more reminder of my own mortality.
Also yesterday, Congressperson Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Cleveland died from a brain aneurysm. She was 58 (3 years older than myself). She was such a positive person, almost always smiling a real (NOT politician) smile. Dennis Kucinich referred to her as his "sister." I felt that this proclamation was sincere. Even the Republicans were effusive about her positiveness and personality.
So what is to be learned from all of this? Once I turned 50, mortality became a more pressing reality to me. It is highly unlikely that I'll ever run 10 miles again, let alone any more 26 mile marathons. A long rulk (run/walk/run/walk...) anymore is 3 miles. I accept this and try to maintain some level of physical fitness. I also accept that mortality is part of the natural order. I think that we should try to emulate Stephanie Tubbs Jones, where we bring a positive energy, affirming nature, as well as looking out for the welfare of others, past our own family and friends. We don't know how much time we have, so it is imperative to work on this NOW. I have always liked and endorsed Gandhi's dictum to "Be the change that you want to see in the world," similar to other teachings from almost 2000 years ago. Look for the GOOD in others!
Best wishes,
Mike
Also yesterday, Congressperson Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Cleveland died from a brain aneurysm. She was 58 (3 years older than myself). She was such a positive person, almost always smiling a real (NOT politician) smile. Dennis Kucinich referred to her as his "sister." I felt that this proclamation was sincere. Even the Republicans were effusive about her positiveness and personality.
So what is to be learned from all of this? Once I turned 50, mortality became a more pressing reality to me. It is highly unlikely that I'll ever run 10 miles again, let alone any more 26 mile marathons. A long rulk (run/walk/run/walk...) anymore is 3 miles. I accept this and try to maintain some level of physical fitness. I also accept that mortality is part of the natural order. I think that we should try to emulate Stephanie Tubbs Jones, where we bring a positive energy, affirming nature, as well as looking out for the welfare of others, past our own family and friends. We don't know how much time we have, so it is imperative to work on this NOW. I have always liked and endorsed Gandhi's dictum to "Be the change that you want to see in the world," similar to other teachings from almost 2000 years ago. Look for the GOOD in others!
Best wishes,
Mike
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
