Old man Stan once said to me:
"Kid, don't let
the responsibilities of the future burn away the dreams of your present."
It took me years to finally understand the meaning of this little piece of fortune cookie wisdom, but I've realized that the old geezer was right. Babies, burn thinking if
they'll always give enough reasons for their mother’s to love them. Teenagers,
burn under the fears of a lousy sex-life and a shit paying job. Adults, burn
worrying if they’ll have enough money to retire gracefully and if they’ll leave
a decent life for their children. Old men, burn with death and unforgiving deities on their minds.
Apparently, Stan learned this the hard way. Everyone always said he looked way older than he actually was. I guess he let the responsibilities burn him too soon. Responsibilities are an unavoidable burden, but we shouldn't let the worries of the future steal so much from our present, we shouldn't let them burn our dreams. Fuck ulcers and depressions; let’s have some fucking fun!
Apparently, Stan learned this the hard way. Everyone always said he looked way older than he actually was. I guess he let the responsibilities burn him too soon. Responsibilities are an unavoidable burden, but we shouldn't let the worries of the future steal so much from our present, we shouldn't let them burn our dreams. Fuck ulcers and depressions; let’s have some fucking fun!
A neighbor of mine once confessed to me that she wished she hadn't studied as hard as she did. If she could go back in time she would've had more fun with her class mates. The concept of your drawing is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very Buddhist. Have you heard of the Death Meditation? It's about living as if each day were your last.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, that we should keep things in perspective, and have some fun.
What "Future"...I am dying....
ReplyDeleteSo I try not to let the "Future" bother me too much....for if I dwell upon it ...I would "Always" be miserable......Sure I live in poverty.... I seldom get to eat enough.,... often getting "thinner" ( sometimes rather drastically over as very short period of time".... I weigh a bit less now than I did in high school....I have spent my life surrounding myself with the things that I "Love" the "Most" ( well what I could afford"...talking of "material" things)
That is what "Life" is about ...to try and lessen the "misery" that is our "existence" for ourselves and for those for whom we actually "care about".... Yes ...Life is "Suffering".... Just Don't worry over the Future.... Make the most of your life in the "here and Now"
Very wise and a wisdom that usually only comes with age.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest thing to do is balance.
Work hard enough so you have a future, but not too hard.
I used to worry about this a lot when I was younger and had just moved to the UK; all my friends went off for college while I sat at home trying to get a job.
Now they're finalizing their studies while I'm only just starting (had to wait 3 years to be eligible).
But hey, I'm happy and I'm getting somewhere!
Amazing train of thought.
That sounds like some very good advice actually. You wouldn't believe the amount of fun that can be had when living as if there was no tomorrow. But or course, it's hardly sustainable and I don't need to echo what one commenter above already has said about moderation.
ReplyDeleteStill, I'm guessing most people wouldn't worry as much if the economy weren't in such a lousy shape right now.
ReplyDeleteUnemployment is one of the worst things you could wish on anyone
Jay - it's hard to make the right choice when we're living the moment. there's always a bit of regret whatever the choice we make.
ReplyDeleteJorg - no, but it sounds mighty interesting. yeah, i think that's the best way to live.
Dr. Theda - it's a shame we have to suffer so much, but let's try to enjoy ourselves, shall we. the notion of our own mortality is a great teacher.
Laury - thanks. it's always difficult to choose what's best, but i'm really glad to hear that you're happy with your choices. being happy has become one of the hardest things to be, mostly because we're such a bunch of whiny babies.
ReplyDeleteSikzak - moderation is paramount in all things, but it's a thin line. i'm never quite sure how long i should spend on either side of it :)
TRGB - that's very true and it's actually a hell i'm going through now. still, we should have the strength to fight for what we need/want and the grace to accept the things we can't change.
looks funny... to me. ;o)
ReplyDeleteI like the drawing and the quote. I agree with it and what could be related to this is stress. It burns you if you worry to much and you might leave this place sooner if there is too much stress.
ReplyDeleteI have accepted the fact that Stacey is dying.... it is the "weakened" state which we will reach before then... after the doctors finish their "tests" ...I will have a much better idea of how many "good" days lie ahead... we will wait to make any "major" decisions until then...
ReplyDeleteI still try and make do as best as my conditions will allow each day....
Thus any day that we are "mostly functional ...is a "Good" day...
Life is too short...enjoy it while you can... the Doctor
This is a really interesting way of looking at it. It's also very true. If you spend so much time worrying about the future, you can't enjoy the present, need to find a good balance.
ReplyDeleteOctapolis - they do say life is tragically comical... or comically tragic.
ReplyDeleteL&A - that's very true. stress is like gasoline.
Dr. Theda - it's a very sad fact for me to accept. i'm deeply sorry and i treasure Stacey's willingness to continue to share (blog) so much. seeing another person's passion for something is truly inspiring.
Ben268 - balance is key, but so hard to find. thanks.
Mrs. Katie - neither do i. people like this usually have a full fridge and some nice furniture at home, but little joy and love.
or both in union ;o)
ReplyDeleteexactly! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words of encouragement...
ReplyDeleteI re-read "A Journey To Ixtlan" recently. These discussions always remind me of one or two things the old seer Juan Matus had to say:
ReplyDelete“Death is the only wise advisor that we have. Whenever you feel, as you always do, that everything is going wrong and you're about to be annihilated, turn to your death and ask if that is so. Your death will tell you that you're wrong; that nothing really matters outside its touch. Your death will tell you, 'I haven't touched you yet.”
Dr. Theda - cheers, Doc!
ReplyDeleteDavid - i really have to get my hands on that book. almost everything pales in comparison with the big D.
It's here at The American Buddha:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.american-buddha.com/journ.ixtlan.2.htm#JOURNEY%20TO%20IXTLAN
Enjoy! But be careful; there is a lot of good literature at that site and your head may get stuck in there for months.
Most notably in my mind, and on subject with this thread, almost everything written by my favorite transcendentalist, Emerson:
ILLUSIONS
Flow, flow the waves hated,
Accursed, adored,
The waves of mutation:
No anchorage is.
Sleep is not, death is not;
Who seem to die live.
House you were born in,
Friends of your spring-time,
Old man and young maid,
Day's toil and its guerdon,
They are all vanishing,
Fleeing to fables,
Cannot be moored.
See the stars through them,
Through treacherous marbles.
Know, the stars yonder,
The stars everlasting,
Are fugitive also,
And emulate, vaulted,
The lambent heat-lightning,
And fire-fly's flight.
When thou dost return
On the wave's circulation,
Beholding the shimmer,
The wild dissipation,
And, out of endeavor
To change and to flow,
The gas become solid,
And phantoms and nothings
Return to be things,
And endless imbroglio
Is law and the world, —
Then first shalt thou know,
That in the wild turmoil,
Horsed on the Proteus,
Thou ridest to power,
And to endurance.
Can't say enough about this website – its alot better than mine.
ReplyDeleteA good piece of advice.Most of them forget this in their RUN FOR LIFE...
ReplyDeleteDavid - thanks for sharing. i know Emerson's name from Transcendentalism, but never got around to reading his work. powerful words.
ReplyDeleteBasil - yeah, the rat race makes us forget the most simple of truths.
Saved as a favorite, I love your website!
ReplyDeletemy web site; Free Batman Games