Fight to enjoy life.
My grandmother is 88. She lives alone. She's still kicking and whenever some person says, "isn't that great?" my Dad is careful to point out that, "she works at it."
My grandmother is of a generation that didn't pursue happiness as the point of life. Happiness is besides the point.My grandmother lives well; the byproduct of her effort is that she enjoys life. But she works at it.
Enjoying life, like most things, is a choice followed by action. It requires discipline and practice. Enjoying life is not always easy but surely it is a better way to live.I feel there's a growing apathy about life in our culture. It's too hard, and it's nothing like the movies! We underrate the value our life adds to the lives of others. When did opting out of life become an option?How do we fight? Well, based on the life of Audrey Buckingham, this is what I have surmised:
1. Excercise. A walk and a bit of fresh air gives perspective, new sensory experience and most importantly an endorphin kick.
2. Be self indulgent once in a while. Eat an entire batch of fudge in bed while re-reading a good book. Or in AB's case, nurse a glass of rum while reading the Guardian cover to cover.
3. Never turn down an invitation. Socializing is one of life's greatest gifts. Even if you don't want to, say yes and turn up. Even dressing up and venturing out for 5 minutes and going home is better than feeling the "meh" and caving to the apathy and staying home.
4. Eat meals. Even if it's just for one. Sit down.
5. Get a hobby. Do something with zeal, preferably something which connects you to other people to help fuel the passion. AB and my grandfather, before he died, were avid horse riders. They used to dress up in red jackets and chasing hounds who were chasing concentrated fox urine which had been imported from Scotland. My grandmother had hung up her stirrups but rain or shine, she drives out to follow the hunt on a Saturday and have an after match drink with the people who do what she does.
These things may not be enjoyable at the time but we're playing the long game here and it will help you enjoy life. If you aren't enjoying life, chances are its stopping the people who love you from enjoying too, you selfish bastard.
My grandmother is 88. She lives alone. She's still kicking and whenever some person says, "isn't that great?" my Dad is careful to point out that, "she works at it."
My grandmother is of a generation that didn't pursue happiness as the point of life. Happiness is besides the point.My grandmother lives well; the byproduct of her effort is that she enjoys life. But she works at it.
Enjoying life, like most things, is a choice followed by action. It requires discipline and practice. Enjoying life is not always easy but surely it is a better way to live.I feel there's a growing apathy about life in our culture. It's too hard, and it's nothing like the movies! We underrate the value our life adds to the lives of others. When did opting out of life become an option?How do we fight? Well, based on the life of Audrey Buckingham, this is what I have surmised:
1. Excercise. A walk and a bit of fresh air gives perspective, new sensory experience and most importantly an endorphin kick.
2. Be self indulgent once in a while. Eat an entire batch of fudge in bed while re-reading a good book. Or in AB's case, nurse a glass of rum while reading the Guardian cover to cover.
3. Never turn down an invitation. Socializing is one of life's greatest gifts. Even if you don't want to, say yes and turn up. Even dressing up and venturing out for 5 minutes and going home is better than feeling the "meh" and caving to the apathy and staying home.
4. Eat meals. Even if it's just for one. Sit down.
5. Get a hobby. Do something with zeal, preferably something which connects you to other people to help fuel the passion. AB and my grandfather, before he died, were avid horse riders. They used to dress up in red jackets and chasing hounds who were chasing concentrated fox urine which had been imported from Scotland. My grandmother had hung up her stirrups but rain or shine, she drives out to follow the hunt on a Saturday and have an after match drink with the people who do what she does.
These things may not be enjoyable at the time but we're playing the long game here and it will help you enjoy life. If you aren't enjoying life, chances are its stopping the people who love you from enjoying too, you selfish bastard.
This is such a great post. Especially the part about apathy and staying in. I definitely fall victim to that sometimes!
ReplyDeleteI think staying in is a really important thing to do sometimes but I make sure it is a decision that I can own, not a default setting!
ReplyDelete