One of the all time ubiquitous pieces of advice thunders to the inhabitants of the Slippery Slope: Live Life to the Fullest. When life fast forwards to the final chapters, living fully can become a desperate enterprise. Grabbing with gusto sent Henry David Thoreau to the woods, Tom Brady to continue quarterbacking at 44, and our astronauts to the moon. All were relatively young people seeking the most from their days. What if one reaches 70 and wonders if indeed life has been truly lived, or if it is too late for such glory?
The concept of living life large is part of our culture. The focal point of graduation addresses and wedding toasts, Americans know life will pass them by unless they do something extraordinary to intensify mundane existence. Arriving at the Slippery Slope attempting to living fully with physical ail-a-ments (my dad’s word), becomes more of a mystery than ever. It sounds good. It sounds necessary. But what the hell does it mean? What has living fully ever meant?
Obituary for a fallen friend: SHE LIVED LIFE TO THE FULLEST. Graduate of Princeton. PhD in Philosophy. Married 50 years to a mensch. Four kids—-all professionals. Traveled to 19 countries with the grandchildren. Fantastic gourmet cook and master quilter. Spoke three languages fluently. Met the Dalai Lama. Volunteer of the year, eradicating homelessness in her town. Landscaped designed her ten acre property. Died peacefully surrounded by family and friends.
My obit: SHE tried TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST, but the experience kept eluding her. There? Struggling to the peak of Mt. Washington. There? A long hug with her sister. There? One of her students finally “got” it. She died still seeking peace, alone at sunrise, in her beloved California.
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST
*An Ever Flitting Butterfly*
Reflection from the Slippery Slope
Thanks Diane, I am enjoying your writing.
Life is fully lived when we are in awe of the peak moments in life. When we are younger, a peak experience may be climbing to the top of a mountain. A peak moment is when we have arrived at the top and take time to truly be present and take it all in. As we get older, there may be less peak experiences, yet there are peak moments every day at every stage of life. Being aware and being grateful for them is what creates a life well lived. In my humble opinion.