Does your zest and enthusiasm for a life that’s full still run deep? Do you have the zeal and the passion for keeping it real? If so, I’m glad you’re here. It’s difficult to accept boundaries and limitations that are a byproduct of events and circumstances beyond our control. Do you concede or do you still push the envelope? I ask myself this question far too often, “Am I up for this?” Maybe its time to change the question to “How can I mitigate the risks?” or even one better, “Are my life insurance premiums paid to date?
The Seeds of Doubt
We squelch our zeal for life by nurturing seeds of doubt. It begins when we tell ourselves that this thing we want to do is unattainable even before we make an honest attempt. In my basement, I have a set of golf clubs that haven’t seen the light of day in several years. I used to play golf, not all that well, but I played. Now, I don’t. At some point, I decided that I couldn’t play anymore.
A Quest for Zest
A few months ago, I was introduced to a man, about 5-years older than I, who is a self-described extreme sports enthusiast. He has a need for speed that is satisfied by racing motorcycles, driving high-performance ATV’s through the desert and jumping out of airplanes. He has the zest for life that is contagious. He lives his life to the edge of the page, and because he does, his persona is engaging.
The Zeal is Real
For me, this is no longer a theoretical exercise. Of all sports that need physical ability, I gave up on golf. What do I need to be able to do to play golf? Walk, swing a club, bend over and pick up a ball, and wander aimlessly for hours through the woods. I can still do all of those things, the only ability that’s impaired is the twisting motion that creates the torque to drive the ball a few hundred yards. Interestingly, it’s that torque that kept me off the fairway and forced into thickets not suitable for man nor beast.
In all honesty, I don’t see myself jumping out of an airplane anytime soon, even with a parachute. It never was on my radar screen. There are other activities that I want to keep on the table as options; I still like motorcycles and cars that go way too fast. I intend to take bike rides that last longer than it does to load it up and bring it to the trail and that will burn more calories than I will consume on the ride home.
One Person’s Risk
A zest for life means different things to different people. For me, it means pushing the envelope and considering activities that land somewhere between those two questions, “How can I mitigate the risks” and “Are my life insurance premiums paid to date?”
My lovely wife might see things differently. If it’s all the same with you, I think that its best that we keep her in the dark. At the very least we should wait a day or so. We celebrated her birthday this weekend, and I want her to remember it as one of the best.
If you see her, please wish her a happy birthday.
Ivy loves birthdays. When there are guests in the house, she has a knack for finding the one that will sneak a piece of cake, or two. I hope she knows what happens when all that sugar wears off.
Thanks for reading, liking, and sharing,
Al and his faithful, but lethargic sidekick, Ivy the wonder pup.