Now, there’s a question. Everyone ponders their own mortality and as I talk to people, it appears that everyone has their own perspective on what would constitute a full life. According to statistics, a man will live to be 76 and a woman 81.
Recently, three vibrant people that I know ceased to participate in this life their ages varied from 45 to 77. Their life’s cessation was not accidental nor due to “natural causes.” As I grow older, I continue to see many people in my life having thoughts of suicide and opting out of life as we know it. Why do people commit suicide?
At this point in my life, I have a firm intention to live to be 120 or more and be in pretty good shape as the number of centenarians continues to double year-by-year.
Then, I see other people’s reaction when death comes knocking on their door – maybe not ready to take them away – but they receive a wakeup call, a reminder that if you don’t make some changes in your lifestyle, you may not have much longer to live.
It’s interesting to watch how different people react to warnings of potentially window shopping at death’s department store. Some people re-evaluate and find other things to do and places to be that might not have such ominous foreboding, while others brazenly march inside in an effort to get the best deal they can, checking out as soon as possible.
Some people are just done shopping; they just want to get what they need and get into line at the checkout lane as quickly as possible. Some stand in line longer than others, but eventually, their turn comes as life scans their items and rings ‘em up. They pay and they leave; done.
I have many friends who have beat the odds greatly – and they are my heroes, my hope that my long-life goal is within reach – and they are vibrant, in great shape and continue to make the world a better place. Wow! (I can even spell it backward.) That’s what I’m talking about.
Interestingly, many times when I share my personal view on my own potential life expectancy, I am somewhat shocked by the response of people who get emotionally tweaked (if not utterly upset) when I propose the idea of living past a more moderate age.
Passive folks immediately become passionate sales clerks for grabbing ten items or less and rushing for the speedy checkout lane. This never ceases to catch me off-guard as they say things like
- But life’s so hard…
- What, more bills and taxes?
- Do you want to be alone in a nursing home?
- You want to out-live your family & friends?
- Do you want to be sick and feeble the rest of your life?
- What if you’re unable to ambulate and communicate (walk and talk)?
And so it goes, on and on…
The truth is, I have had the most amazing life. It has been the best life ever. My life has been a full spectrum color wide-screen surround-sound roller coaster experience and I wouldn’t change one iota of it.
For other folks, life is hard and as they age, they find themselves running out of fuel to continue the journey any longer.
But isn’t it all just a matter of perspective?
Those who know some of the more intimate details of my life assume that the trials and tribulation that visited me would be unbearable. Yet these are the same life circumstances that have brought me to where I am today. I embrace and highly regard every challenge that has crossed my path (likely not in the moment, but after I gained a more aerial perspective).
What about you? Are you ready to check out, or continue to shop?
Think about it (you probably already have)…
I have no plan to live to be any certain age. I do have a plan to take good care of myself so that the time I do have is the best it can be. I eat well, exercise, meditate on scripture, pray, have excellent relationships, etc.
I want to have a full life. How long it is will be determined by God, not by me. I could be gone in an instant, so I want to make the most of the time I do have.