true joy of life

1.31.2010

I'm enjoying this poem by George Bernard Shaw. I think I must be entering "mid-life crisis" stage, as I find myself realizing that I'll turn 40 this year, and I'm nowhere close to where I thought I'd be in life, and doing nothing that I'd expected to be doing (and sometimes still hope to be doing). I'm having to let go of old dreams, and have very little idea what new dreams might take their place. The only thing I DO know? I feel that I've spent the past 39 years always looking for the "next thing" in my life. Always trying to meet a new goal--often an easier-to-reach goal than my "big ones" and a distraction from where I really want to be. Rarely living "in the moment." So...before I begin the next decade of my life (and what some people would say is the second half of my life), I intend to figure out what I love doing and spend more time "in the moment" doing those things. I also intend to discover new dreams and start fulfilling them. Included in that is realizing a career that is truly fulfilling to me. So...here I go! True Joy of Life (Shaw) This is the true joy of life. The being used for a purpose Recognized by yourself as a mighty one. The being a force of nature Instead of a feverish, selfish Little clod of ailments and grievances Complaining that the world will not Devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life Belongs to the whole community And as long as I live, It is my privilege to do for it Whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly Used up when I die, For the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch Which I've got hold of For the moment

And I want to make it burn As brightly as possible before Handling it on to future generations.