Beware 11th hour living
This is a guest post by Charlie A. Webb
Having lived a Coney Island life
on roller coaster ups and downs
and seen my helium hopes
break skyward without me,
now arms filled with dolls
I threw so much for
I take perhaps my last ride
on this planet-carousel
and ask
how many more times round
I have
to catch that brass-ring-sun
before the game is up.
James L. Weil, A Coney Island Life
A children’s playground is an interesting analog to our tenure on earth. Watch children at play during this 15-minute recreational packet and you will discover something quite interesting. The children will quickly run onto the playground at the sound of the bell, and then seem to slow down and play at a somewhat steady, linear rate. But the moment the 2-minute warning bell is sounded, something amazing happens – the children instantly light up with activity, neurotically running from playground equipment to playground equipment, rushing, rushing, and trying to make the last few moments’ count.
I live near Palm Desert, California, and over this past year, I have noticed senior citizens in their RV’s express a similar pattern. Their lives never seemed to be that urgent. There was always time for that special project or the super vacation or all the things they hoped to get into their lives before it ended. But now, the warning bell has rung and the seniors scramble, with daily itineraries that would weary a 25-year old. The seniors rush to dance lessons, senior potlucks, golf tournaments, and tennis matches.
Though certainly many are fulfilled and happy with this arrangement, I have watched the look of ennui and lament on the faces of many seniors. Their health problems squelch total ecstasy. The neurotic need to pull themselves out on the world daily to get their fair share of living, stresses, not enhancing life but rather weakening its spirit.
When I was conducting interviews for my book, Exit Interviews, I had the opportunity to speak with seniors from all walks of life, from waitresses to World War II fighter pilots. The prevailing note was struck – the message was clear – do not wait until the end of your life to begin living. When we hear the frustrations and laments of these seniors, we have in effect time-traveled. We have, if we listened, benefited from their mistakes. It is so vital in my opinion that we too do not live in the 11th hour.
Recently, I asked an employee what his plans were for the weekend. His answer was clear and sober, “I’m going to sleep in until 11 O’clock.” I found that strong sentiment a bit bizarre. He showed up on time all week for work. Why would you not show up on time for your weekend? I have always taken my weekends and free time and endowed them with the same respect that I give my vocation.
As a drummer, I was in a band called “The Steve Barrett and the Blues Revue Band.” Just before a gig one evening, all of us were playing our own little mini-solos getting ready for the evening dance. Steve looked at all of us and said clearly, “C’mon guys, let’s get serious about having fun.” That may have been one of the most profound things anyone has ever said to me, because fun deserves organization as it does commitment. Fun, like success, is no accident. Plan for it and, most importantly, do it. If we wait until the ends of our lives for the fun to begin, we too will suffer the pains of wishing we had done more sooner. When I was 24 years old I was windsurfing in Morro bay on a Thursday sneaking from school and work for a few hours of my passion. A surly man asked me, “shouldn’t you be at work”? My answer “no sir, it will be hard to windsurf when I am old”.
In the spirit of my book “Exit Interviews”, I would like to tell you all, vigorously interview the elders In your lives, not for cookie recipes, but for the knowledge that will enrich and enhance your life. Live now, live bold, as the warning bell has rung.
Charlie A. Webb is a consultant and the founder and president of a medical packaging company. His current book project “No Food or Drinks” is a customer service book, To learn more about Charlie’s writing projects visit his website at www.charliewebb.com
5 Responses to “Beware 11th hour living”
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I would like to thank Charlie for taking the time to write this great post.
-Andrew
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Wow! How profound and insightful…Thank you for such a wonderful post, it really made me think about my own life and what more I could be doing. Just reading this has changed my life and the way I am going to go about spending my free time. Thank you, thank you!
Hey Lisa,
Glad you liked Charlie’s post! And I’m glad it had a profound impact on your life.
Thanks Charlie.
-Andrew
I also wanted to add that I dont think I have ever read anything as well written as this. He really has a way with words and analogies. Great writing!