Aging,Secretariat and Epicurus

"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it."– Pablo Picasso

On Thursday, Secretariat and I ran a short 6 mile loop. He wanted to run short today because on Saturday we are planning a longer run.  During our run, we talked about the speed of Matt and Farah. Even though there is a significant age differential between Secretariat and Farah, he is motivated, as he would like to close the running gap. He now has a new goal. Knowing him, during our trail run, I told him that he could pass me at any time   and he did. When I reached the end of the trail, he was nowhere in sight. So when I reached home I saw him sitting on my deck drinking a Coke. He admitted that he ran much of the hills this time. It is good to see him with the goal. All it takes is a good-looking, young woman who runs well and Farah fits the description. So much for Secretariats  aging.

How much thought have you been giving to aging? It doesn’t matter what age you are to realize and notice the passage of time. Likely, from your mid-too late 30s through your mid-40s one begins to realize that the window of life is beginning to close. Perhaps prior to that, that window of life seemed wide open. So I would recommend that if you’ve not thought about your window it might be productive for you to do so. The reason for doing this is so that you can accomplish, here on earth, and complete any unfulfilled goals or desires.

Unfinished business could be writing a book, running or riding your horse 100 miles in a day, giving back to your community, enrolling in that history or economics class, getting cosmetic surgery or some youth enhancing hormone supplement. So now might be a good time to begin thinking of your future and how you want to plan for it.

The following are quotes from the Greek philosopher Epicurus and his ideas about the aging process. One might fantasize about him in some white garment with a long white beard contemplating the future. Remember, this is the same country that initiated the idea of the Olympic Games. The key word is games. Anyway, let’s take a look at what he said: “it is not young man who should be considered fortunate but the old man who has lived well, because the young man in his prime wanders much chance vacillating in his beliefs, while the old man has docked in the harbor, having safeguarded his true happiness.”

Can you relate to Epicurus and his knowledge? Are you in touch with your true self? Do you really know who you are and are you doing what you really want to do? According to him, if you are clear and centered you are likely in a good emotional state. Notice, he is not talking about striving or vacillating or chasing one pursuit after the other like in climbing the corporate ladder, pursuing wealth, or chasing some other external component. Can you be content, know yourself, stay centered and have productive goals at the same time?

Epicurus also wrote “of all the things that wisdom provides to help one live one’s entire life in happiness, the greatest by far is the possession of friendship.” He believed that a professional life of any kind could corrupt Friendship since business inevitably leads to treating other people as a means to an end rather than an end in themselves. What a tremendous insight by this smart Greek man.

Keep moving my friends.