WHY NOT LIVE AN ADVENTURE?
I was talking to a guy my age the
other day. Just making conversation in a semi-crowded room over
coffee and cake. I asked him how he spent his time. His response
began with “I lead a pretty boring life,” and continued from
there with a quite predictable list of senior-acceptable, time
absorbing activities and pass-times.
I just had
to ask him, why he was leading such a boring life? At that time in
his life, with no debts, no responsibilities, free time and all the
experience and confidence he had accrued, why was he choosing a life
of boredom instead of adventure? What was holding him back? Where
was the risk? He challenged me as to just what 'adventure' was
possible. I countered in asking him what adventure was not
possible.
What purpose or
cause was important to him, I suggested. Wasn't there a need, bigger
than him, that could use him? Was a life of boredom and uselessness
really a sign of success, the culmination of all that his life had
been?
I don't remember
his name. Maybe our short conversation isn't remembered by him even
these two short weeks later. However, it's clear in my mind. There's
something very powerful in verbalizing our own thoughts, especially
with others. Sometimes it's easier to share deep questions and hopes
with strangers.
The
question was really for me. Why not chose
to live a life of adventure? Does age really have anything to do with
it? Hardly! It's an excuse like any other. Just imagine what a
difference could be made if those of us of many years were to start
living as if we and the world were important. If we would choose to
'side' with today's youth in actually doing what was right and
needed, we would really count for something 'of life' and not be just
statistics searching for nursing homes.
So, to all people,
if we aren't living a life that is open to adventure, are we really
living? WHY NOT?
Anthony Gifford
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