I borrowed the headline from a place that said it is the kind of hook that makes people want to read your words.
Grabbed it in part because it reminded me of a conversation where someone decided to instruct me on how to get more people to like me.
That conversation probably took place around 30 years ago and I remember it because when they asked me if I wanted to learn how to make people like me I said I already knew how.
“All I need to find is a willing woman or maybe 10 and I can make 50 people just like me, assuming my super genes are as awesome as I believe them to be. It’s possible that some of those 50 might not look exactly like me, but they’ll probably be close.”
I don’t remember the exact response I received but there was sputtering and confusion. Took them a moment to figure out the straight face was intentional and another two to recognize I had no interest in their advice.
Been lucky to have always had good friends and never felt the need to try to make people like me. Hell, the older I get the more I have come to believe misanthropy is an under appreciated art.
Free Speech For Me But Not For Thee
There is a bakery in my town that made national news for condemning MAGA and saying they were embarrassed by the current administration and wouldn’t celebrate the 4th of July.
I listened to some of the local gentry rant and rave about how awful they think it is. I almost asked them why big patriots like them can’t handle the First Amendment.
Almost asked if they’re new to town and unaware the owner has always used her platform to speak her mind. Almost asked if they know how much support she has and that it’s not uncommon for the place to sell out.
But I didn’t have that much interest in engaging. It’s not hard to beat on MAGA and it’s not hard to beat on those who support the DSA and dragged their feet on recognizing how horrible of a candidate Platner was.
That quote by the Dalai Lama is applicable all over and I wish we saw both parties live by it, but that is not where we’re at right now.
“And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an “Ave” there for me.”Danny Boy
I was going through some EOBs and feeling kind of saucy as I reviewed how much was spent on keeping me alive.
Tried to come up with a line or two for Hallmark cards you could give to people who didn’t die.
“I know more than a few of you visit me not because the burning logs are too hot for you to sit upon but because you still love me.”
Rolled my eyes at that and thought about that Danny Boy quote for a bit.
I remember listening to an Irish tenor sing it after my paternal grandfather died and wondering what comes next. Thought about it quite a bit after my father died too and for most of that time I have been relatively agnostic on the matter.
I am not uncomfortable with the idea that once we leave this earth we’re done and nothing is left but memories. It’s as logical to me as the idea that there has to be something afterwards.
But it’s hard for me not to believe that during that experience in October my dad kept me from crossing over. Don’t care if anyone agrees or disagrees, I don’t wear a sweater cuz others are cold.
The root of this line of thought for me has always gone back to the importance of being a good person because it is the right thing to do and not because you hope you gain admittance to heaven.
Cue my buddy Bob with the prayer all parents say for their children.
“May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.”
Forever Young- Bob Dylan
Preparing For The Second Half Of Life
I stumbled across a post I wrote eight years ago called Maybe I’ll Make You Cry that initially got my attention because I liked the opening.
Hope is a strange creature and the most illogical of beasts. I know, because hope and I have been wrapped in an undying embrace for eternity.
As I skimmed through the rest of it I read about a free session I had with a chiropractor. It was one of those marketing deals where they give you a free workup and hope you’ll sign up as a patient.
I didn’t do it because I wasn’t entirely sold on him and I didn’t have the spare cash but I kind of wish I had.
If you have spent time reading you know that I got into Yoga about a month ago. You know that I have been working on functional strength and building a body that is ready for the second half of life.
This afternoon I decided I haven’t done a good job of preparing and that my leg strength isn’t anywhere close to where I want it to be.
I let myself be fooled. I let myself ignore the multiple ways my body has compensated for lack of flexibility and or strength in some areas.
The body compensates for deficiencies. I don’t have issues getting on the floor or getting back up. I can do both without relying upon my arms.
But I realized I don’t do it with the ease with which I think I need. I have learned that sometimes shit happens and seen the impact of that.
So I am taking steps now to prepare for later, can’t expect that my body will feel better at 75 than at 57.
So I am adding a few more exercises to the workout and making some adjustments on some of the others.
It is humbling to recognize you aren’t where you think you are but it is also a good thing. We’ll never be as young as we are today so there is no better time to get started.
The future is knocking, I am going to answer it.
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