An article on a different blog recently got me thinking. It spoke of how many men have a 'Yes.. Damn!' moment. For instance, they will tell themselves that they will have more time later and then when later arrives, realize they do not have this free time.
The article was ever more striking, as recently an employee indicated he wanted to retire. After a discussion, he came back stating he would prefer to work part time, but still 30 hours. This was a shock, so I asked why he would not just retire. He told me, that he could not afford loosing his benefits or income. This man had just worked 50 years of his life (and the worrying part is, that he is not the oldest member of the team) and cannot retire. As hard as it may be, he did not think it through when he was younger. And in the USA, you get punished for that.
Even though this spoke in favour of the article, I still felt compelled to disagree. If only to prove that not everyone let's life outlive them. Sometimes things get postponed until there is more time, and sometimes one runs out of time. It is the realization that a man does not have time but creates it, that makes a difference. There are several reasons for this, but I mostly it is because men don't understand it when they say Yes! and commit to something, until they reach the Damn! moment... that it requires effort and making time.
Misinterpretation of sayings that sound positive play a part in this process. Cease the day was never intended to make people act as a a 'cloud of white noise'... It was to prove just that point that one is traveling fast towards death and you have to achieve your goals now. You can cease the day, as long as you are ensuring that you are still on the right track towards the goal in your life, whatever that may be, and it will make the journey worth it and pleasant.
It doesn't mean that you cannot change your goal and subsequently your path, as a thinking man changes his mind, but it means that a focus in life lets you enjoy the ride. To make the comparison with the trainride and the scenery; if you know where you are going and getting off, you can enjoy the scenery and the journey without worrying about the destination as you know you are on your way.
"For we are mistaken when we look forward to death; the major portion of death has already passed. Whatever years be behind us are in death’s hands."
–Seneca
