Dying isn’t optional; living to the fullest is!
When I was in grade and high school, my Dad insisted once the 4th of July was over, summer picked up speed. That meant I’d be back in a classroom much before I was ready. True about the school situation, but I disagreed with his perceived notion about time. Even though I thought the world of my Dad, I was sure his calculations were skewed. When I was growing up, school didn’t begin until after Labor Day so in July summer was still promising endless opportunities for fun and leisure. His perspective was much different from mine although I’ve learned that time goes by much faster for an adult than a child. This year is half over already and we wonder where it went. And more importantly, what did we do with all those hours and days?
Time is an equal opportunity commodity. It has no regard for income, status, family situations, personal beliefs, or one’s individual wisdom. Everyone is gifted with the same 24 hours each day. The disparity is only in how many of those days we are each allowed. If anyone doubts the mystery of life, one needs only to try and determine how much time is allotted each individual. We’re told at an early age that life is not fair, or if we’re not told, we figure it out after a few skirmishes and disappointments. Accepting the inevitability of such unfairness is a different matter. A brief look at a week’s worth of newspaper obituary notices is silent testimony to the inequality, or some might say unfairness, of the time each person is given.
The other kicker is we don’t find out, often until it’s much too late to change our course of direction, how much time we’ve been allotted. Some folks who enjoy reckless behavior believe firmly in the “when it’s your time” way of thinking. Others adhere to following a faith-filled path, and some believe it’s all a matter of chance. The belief systems, many would say, aren’t as important as the course of action. Dying isn’t optional; living to the fullest is and details are very individualized.
Some people vehemently denounce gambling, and yet many life choices, particularly financial ones, involve gambling in some form. Do I wait till I’m 66 to begin collecting Social Security or do I cash in at 62? If I think longevity is in my favor, it’s better to wait till later to start asking Uncle Sam for money. Insurance products are gambles, granted ones requiring more intelligence and forethought than the lottery or a slot machine, but still a gamble. We’ve all wasted time and resources “gambling” on the chance that there’s always tomorrow.
Some would propose that summer is not designed for reflective questions about the inevitabilities of life and death. Perhaps not, although sunny skies, beautiful blossoms, vibrant green grass and leaves, and the anticipation of vacations and family gatherings may be the best time to consider the directions of our life’s journeys. It’s best to sort through options when conditions are optimal. I’m grateful to have lived long enough to know that all seasons go by very quickly. Some individual days are long but the months and years go by in rapid succession. My Dad knew that years ago, as do I now.