Waiting in line

waiting-in-line

While sitting at the V.A. office recently for my annual checkup, I sat quietly and watched a line of silver-haired Veterans waiting in line at the Administration window. And it occurred to me that I am just another aging human being (more gray hair every day) waiting in line. Not this line, but the line waiting for death. Working day after day, taking my meds, garnering joy from this life in each moment that I am able, but ultimately just waiting to die.
What’s that, depressing you say? Perhaps it is, but that doesn’t change it from being the truth. And today I actually found it to be a source of great inspiration. I don’t want to, nor do I have to, just wait in line. Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero pulsanda tellus (Now is the time to drink, now the time to dance footloose upon the earth ~ Horace). Yes, as corny as it may sound, today is truly the first day of the rest of my life!

The realization of our imminent demise can be exciting and full of opportunities if we only grab hold of it and do something. But if we stand in line, just waiting, then our own expiration will be about as much fun as watching milk curdle. And you can count me out on that one!
Now is the time for me to make valuable use of my mind and body, that I can be of benefit to myself and others. Perhaps some will be in small ways, while others may have a far-reaching and global effect. But I will not go quietly into the night; silent, wilting and of little to no use or purpose. And to do this will require a real break from the paradigm, freeing myself of stale constructs that bear little fruit.
Knowing exactly what this will be or how it will look, is hard to say right now. My eyes have only just opened to what is available, but I am extremely enthusiastic about the potential.

If you are a teenager, in your twenties, thirties, forties or fifties, this applies to you equally so. So easily, we can each be asleep at the wheel while life passes us by. Like me, you can wait until you are in your mid-fifties to see the reality of it, or you can do it now. But be aware, that just because you are younger, does not mean that you have more time to wait. None of us have a guarantee of tomorrow, so I encourage you to seize the day. Or better still, seize the moment!

May you be well, happy and peaceful.