es this for its ultimate, dismaying, unintended consequence: By promoting longevity, we have created a new biological status held by an ever-growing portion of humanity, a no-exit state that lingers on longer and longer, one that is nearly as remote from life as death.” ~ inspired by Michael Wolff

Right away, it is important for you all to understand that this particular post is NOT intended to dissuade any of you from striving to “be healthier” or from living a “long & healthy life”. It is always admirable to cherish the gifts we are given, and one of the best ways to cherish the priceless Gift of Life is by caring for our bodies that carry that life around inside of us each day.

So what IS this post about?
What IS this “Addiction to Health” to which I refer?

As with any other addiction, the determining factor is not based upon WHAT we do in each moment, but rather WHY we are doing it.

In essence, “eating right”, “resting enough” and “getting fit” are fine things when they are done to enable us to have more energy to serve others (and thereby serve our True Selves). And yet those same behaviors turn into destructive addictions when they are done merely to “feel better” or “live longer” (thereby feeding the self-centered cravings of the ego). Essentially, engaging the former brings us Peace & Joy (whether we live a long life or a shorter one), while doing the latter makes our lives brittle & hollow – easily susceptible to regular bouts of frustration, meaninglessness and depression.

As a species still in its infancy, we are becoming increasingly obsessed with living longer, and the statistics seem bear this out. In 1990, there were more than 3 million Americans over the age of 85. Now there are over 6 million, and by 2050, there will be 19 million! The elderly currently use 50 percent of all hospital days in the United States. There are now more than 5 million Americans suffering from dementia, and by 2050, upward of 15 million of us will, quite simply, have “lost our minds.”

“If our children are to flower, we need to nurture them. We need to cultivate them in rich and wholesome soil, clothe them in fine mores and Loving ideals, and direct them toward the Highest Light of Kindness. This is how they will then be able to stand straight and tall – this is how they may take our place as we took that of those who planted us and who made way for us, so that in time they, too, may make way and plant. And yet, if our children are to truly flower, we most go to seed; we must have the courage and the humility to graciously wither and give ground.” ~ inspired by Leon Kass

And yet, despite the evidence that shows the quality of life of the average elderly person to decline rapidly after the age of 80, we remain a culture fixated on “staying alive” as long as possible. It is as though many of us believe that life is some contest to see who has the most candles on their birthday cake at the end.

Most folks cling to the health insurance that they have or wish that they had better health insurance. Most folks are waking up to the benefits of “going organic” (or at least wish they could afford to do so), and are spending billions of dollars on “better food” – all in the hopes of living lives that are longer and more comfortable. Most folks dream of someday retiring to “live the good life” – even though the vision of this “good life” often consists of sitting in sunbeams and reminiscing about the life they led when they were younger.

And yet what is the reality of getting older?

A number of studies have been done recently related to the real quality of life of the elderly, and the results might be surprising to many. Essentially, whether those interviewed were rich or poor, in relatively good health or relatively ill, the regrets they mention when reflecting back upon their lives are remarkably similar:

*They wish they had thought less about their work and their goals and themselves and more about their friends and loved ones.

*They wish they had spent less time worrying about their own comfort and more time investing in helping others.

*They wish they had focused less on “living longer” and more on living more fully.

Essentially, they wish they had spent less energy trying to “stay healthy” and more energy caring for those in their community.

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.” ~ Dale Carnegie

“In the end it’s not the years in your life that matter, but the life in your years.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

So sit back for a moment and have the humility to answer the following questions with sincerity:

How old would you like to be when you die? For those of you who answer that “it doesn’t matter”, is one more day enough? How about one more year? Five more? Ten?

And what is it that you wish to accomplish in this added time? WHY is it that you wish to live longer than just for today? Is it merely to live as long as possible? Is it to be able to “have more fun” or visit more “beautiful places”?

Or is there something greater stirring inside you now when you think about your end?

For this is the distinguishing factor – this is the “Point of all Points”: If you do indeed wish for a longer life – if you also desire to someday retire and “live the good life” – WHY do you do so?

Is it simply to sit on a porch and rock back & forth while sipping lemonade? Really? That’s a nice thing to do on occasion, I will admit, and it can be a wonderful way to return to being consciously grateful for the life you have been given, and yet just how long can you imagine doing so and remain truly satisfied?

How about “traveling the world” or “hanging out with friends”? These are brilliant pass-times, no doubt, and yet can you really imagine living a life that consisted only of such things – simply waking up each day and “having a good time” day in and day out, for years on end?

When you are someday lying on your deathbed, are you sincerely going to be able to look back and judge such a self-centered and pleasure-fixated life a “Success”?

I think not, and I think that most of you think not as well …

We are not here to live a long life, my Friends. We are here to live a Power-full life, no matter how long or short it is. We are not here to sacrifice the Good we can do today in order to have more tomorrows. We are here to make every today a Lifetime – we are here to make every day a hallmark of our Love.

“Live in the present. Launch yourself on every wave. Find eternity in every moment …” ~ Henry David Thoreau

In conclusion, while I would indeed be very happy if every one of you were to live lives that are long and full of the traditional winnings of pleasure and prosperity, this is not my wish for you …

What I wish is for each of you to find your own unique way to a Life that is filled with Peace and Joy and Meaning — and that you refuse to wait to enJoy the same.

The true Good Life is not waiting for you somewhere down the road … The Good Life is already at your front door,

… waiting patiently for you to open up & welcome It in.

“Life’s Journey is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well-preserved body surrounded by piles of possessions, but rather to come flying around that last corner, skid in sideways, and shout ‘Good God in Heaven … What a ride!’” ~ unknown

“When I am no longer involved in the measurement of life, but rather in the living of it, I rediscover a form of prayer in which there is no distraction. In those moments, my life becomes a prayer … A man knows when he has found his vocation when he stops thinking about how to live and begins Living.” ~ Thomas Merton