February 17th, 2018

February 17, 2018
Reflections on Life
I believe life is meaningless—and I can't live with that any more than you can! How do you cope? Me, I define the meaning of my life—in a way that makes me contented, relatively satisfied with myself. No, not smug! Not in the least! Perhaps it would be clearer to state that I'm satisfied with the values and goals I have set for myself. I'll face death at peace, content to be able to say that I tried. Sure, I screwed up! Sure, I didn't always succeed! But dammit, I TRIED!
​
​I realize now that I have developed four strategies which taken together have enabled me to lead a hectically joyous and fulfilling life. And that's as good as it gets, as far as I'm concerned! 

What strategies?
1. Give—help non-family (family is just about your own genes!).
You'll feel good about yourself.
2. Be creative (music, art, writing, carpentry, etc.)
You'll develop friendships, fight loneliness, and connect with others.
3. Associate with younger people.
You'll stay "younger" and feel "relevant."  
4. "Write about it!" (to clarify your problems)
Come to terms with issues that have kept you awake. When you write, you have   
to pick words. That forces you to clarify your thoughts.
  
I'll get into a discusion of each of these, one by one, over the next few weeks. —kind of busy right now, in rehearsal for three different productions.

Stay tuned!


September 28, 2018
Life, in practice
It's been seven months since I last blogged here—I've been practicing the four "strategies" I use to make my life meaningful. They sure work for me: I'm less than four months shy of my 78th birthday and my feet still barely touch the ground. I've been in five plays so far this year and had the lead role in what will likely be called "The Man in the Three-Piece Suit" (one of two full-length movies I was in this summer). We hope to have "The Man" edited in time for submission to next year's TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival). My novel "Corbett's Daughter" has found its way down to the Patagonia Public Library in Arizona! . . . I expect to publish another novel, "Flint's Last War," within the next six months or so. . . . I still do all the other things—mentoring, tutoring adult literacy, and sitting on three public-sector advisory board. . . . Bottom line: I'm no spring chicken but I feel like one! I attribute this to utilizing all four "strategies" together—my  life has meaning (to me, at least!) so I'm happy and healthy.

Help others and you help yourself! Now there's a win/win situation!

Be kind. Be happy.

See you soon! (Yes, before April!)