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article about contentment
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June 7, 2010 at 10:14 pm #4028Jeff in KentuckyParticipant
One reason motorcycle riding makes you smile:
from a longer article by NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
June 4, 2010, New York Times
I recently completed an article noting that 41 percent of Americans come down with cancer. That statistic felt as remote as a puff of cloud in the stratosphere — until my physician broke the news to me that I had a tumor in my right kidney.
Kidney cancers are often deadly because they are typically discovered late. My tumor was discovered early only by accident, through a CT scan ordered for another reason entirely. I confess that I had been committing thought crimes against the physician who ordered the scan, wondering if it was an example of out-of-control testing.
A brush with mortality turns out to be the best way to appreciate how blue the sky is, how sensuous grass feels underfoot, the joys of being on a curvy road, and how melodious kids’ voices are. Even teenagers’ voices. David E. Sanger, who survived cancer a decade ago, says, “No matter how bad a day you’re having, you say to yourself: ‘I’ve had worse.’ ”
Maybe the most elusive possession is contentment with what we have. There’s no better way to attain that than a glimpse of our mortality. None of us want this for an epitaph: “He sweated many weekends at the office, ignoring his family and not having any fun doing hobbies, but earning a huge bonus.”
Today I have an impressive scar, a bit less kidney, a big bellyache, and far more appreciation for the glory of life.
It’s never too early — cancer or no cancer — to start appreciating our wondrous world, instead of complaining about its imperfections.
June 8, 2010 at 2:23 pm #26929JackTradeParticipantAnd definitely speaks to “why do we ride?”
I try to keep in mind that when it’s all said and done, and you’re laying there dying, you’re not going to think “you know, I wish I had gone to more meetings.”
Jeeze…now I want to leave work and go for a ride (it’s beautiful here…mid 70s, light breeze and sunny).
June 8, 2010 at 2:40 pm #26930MunchParticipantI agree with this, and disagree with this.
It’s a great notion and idea and much to the point of many a country song. Most people wait til they are dieing to learn how to live. Too many get caught up in the “keeping up with the Jones'” syndrome and often forget exactly what they are working for. Wanna learn what it’s like to appreciate life and living. Visit country folk and rednecks. We may be mired in red tape at times when it comes to bills but we are never short on fun. Whats the point in working for the money if you have no time to spend it? Or to have the shiny things just to have it as a commuter? And why is it that after all the decades we have spent digging up Egyptian ruins it has not sank in for most that- No you can not take the stuff with you!
Now my point of contention. This is not a reason, excuse, philosophy to become lax and lazy about the world around you. Sure you’ve had worse, but small changes can make it better….or even more so, keep it from getting worse. The trick is balancing the two. For each person that balance comes differently.
Work to improve your world and the world for those around you, work hard to get to the goals you would like to have, but STOP and look at the things you have done and appreciate the things you busted your ass to get. Thank your better half for putting up with your crap. Thank your kids for not being worse then the way they are ( besides they are a combination of you and your other half looking back at you) and always make time to saddle up and see all things you never normally take the time to look at. Don’t just speed from point A to point B….that’s a commute ….not a ride.June 8, 2010 at 10:23 pm #26936owlieParticipantI’ve spent the last twelve months reclaiming my life from my job. With spring here (when the crunch had been the worst for the last five years), I have been reveling in the weekends and reconnecting with my husband and the life we are continually building.
The wild roses started opening last friday and the irises at Eklutna were in bloom on Monday. The currents have finished their thing and the cranberries are in bloom now. In a few weeks, the fireweed will be going and the anticipation is sweet.
It doesn’t always take a catastrophe to teach you to appreciate what you have, sometimes is just takes change.
July 6, 2010 at 5:11 pm #27354madjak30ParticipantThis is me to a tee…I achieve my goals, then immediately set them higher (read another post where eon and eternal gave me a deserved “poke”)…I never seem to be content. I have done well for myself and my family, yet I still seem to want more…I have a great house, nice truck, a travel trailer and my newest toy…my GS500…not to mention the wife that deserves an award for putting up with my “crap” and mood swings that go with the stress of always trying to achieve more…my kids are great…I just need to “slow down and smell the roses”.
I was complaining about my GS not being comfortable enough “my knees hurt after 90 mins riding”…someone actually said “I don’t have that problem, I stop every hour to take a picture and a break…”, or something along that line…I didn’t even realize what they were trying to tell me…
I think I will try a cup full of contentment…my job is low stress, and I have aquired all the “things” I could need…I just need to learn to enjoy what I have (especially my kids), or I will end up some grumpy old fart that wishes he spent more time enjoying life…
Sorry…end of rant…
October 23, 2010 at 12:22 pm #28663tomfelockParticipantBest thing I realized is that this life does not necessarily end once we die. I mean – for all we know – maybe once this life ends – we go to where our bikes never break down and gas is free. And if not – then we deal with whatever we have to deal with – just as we are now doing. Now – that isn’t so bad – is it?
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