We can leave this world 'used up' and yelling, 'Wow! What a ride!' or content and at peace
I received a birthday card recently that said, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a ride!”
It is a quote from Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005), an American journalist and author who rose to prominence with the publication of "Hell’s Angels" (1967), a book for which he spent a year living and riding with the Hell’s Angels motorcycle club to write a first-hand account of their lives and experiences.
In contrast, I remember speaking at a Senior group several years ago and, as usual, I was giving my enthusiastic cheerleading presentation about healthy aging. I encouraged the audience to stay active and stay out of the rocking chair. I talked about engaging in new hobbies, remaining curious, and taking risks.
It was my usual inspirational speech. Being "thoroughly used up and totally worn out" would have been a great line to emphasize my point.
But at the end of my presentation, a lovely older woman — she was 90 — approached me with her beautiful crystal-blue eyes and snow-white hair. She took my hands in hers and looked into my eyes and said: “Connie, my goal in life right now is to be content. I’m ready to rest and to be at peace and to quit striving.”
Her words pierced my heart, and I knew there was wisdom in her words.
I have the feeling that we will go out of this world much like we have lived our lives. The type-A folks will be skidding broadside in the end, and the type-B will be living quietly to the end.
If there is any insight in all of this, it is to give some thought to your own journey. What will it be like, and what do you want it to be? If you’re the type-A, maybe there is an opportunity to find contentment. Likewise, if you’re a more relaxed, go-with-the-flow individual, you might think about taking on some new challenges later in life — to get “totally used up!”
I’m sure Hunter S. Thompson, who lived among the Hell’s Angels, was influenced by a whole community of those that want the wild ride to the end. There are plenty of others who will choose peace and quiet.
I believe the key is to be cognizant that you have choices to make and create a path that brings you satisfaction and joy. But we all get to say, “Wow, it was my ride!”
Find Connie’s book, “Daily Cures: Wisdom for Healthy Aging,” at www.justnowoldenough.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: We can leave this world in many ways, but each can say it was our ride
