I Do Not Like Mondays

This past week brought a number of stark reminders of human mortality and the fragility of life.

There were high profile deaths, including American country music star and literacy advocate Dolly Parton and the iconic English actor Tim Curry.

Peter Cullen, the unmistakable voice actor behind the character Optimus Prime in Transformers, also passed away, as did Steve Maslow, the sound engineer for the landmark Star Wars movie The Empire Strikes Back. Norway’s King Harald V died as well, leaving his son to assume the throne.

They were all 80 years old or more, so yes, they lived long lives. But in addition to all that, and certainly very significantly, hundreds died in disastrous flooding in Nepal.

It almost makes you think: who’s next? When could that final time, that final moment, come for us? What will tomorrow bring?

The truth is, none of us is guaranteed tomorrow. All it takes is one serious adverse health event, and any of us could be caught way off guard and off balance. Boom — just like that.

It has also made me reflect on what I’ve heard from some elders I interact with, all of them around that age of 80, give or take. They have all said to me, identically and half facetiously, “Don’t get old,” pointing out and noting various lapses in capabilities.

Muscles and bones weaken as we age. Faculties and senses dim or fail. Things just don’t work as well as they once did when we were younger.

Alright, well, guess what? As my father has told me bluntly on several different occasions, putting it this way, “You’re either getting older or you’re dead.” Those are the only two options.

After reaching peak adulthood, none of us really wants to grow older and older — but that’s what you’re doing, or obviously, you’re toast.

The best outlook in all this is to seize the day. Live every day as if it is a gift, because it is. Make the most of the time you are given, and live the best life you can. Appreciate the little things as well as the milestone moments along the way.

In short, don’t take the time you have for granted.

Life can be fleeting and fragile, and that great big pride we often carry with us can go right out the window in an instant.

So don’t wait for that moment to come! Get busy living, and soak up every minute you can, always.  

Peace.