The Walk

Two went out for a long walk; grandfather and grandson.

The grandfather went away to another world.

I miss the one who left. I am lucky to have the one who is still here.

Being Miserable: A Safeguard?

Two friends were sitting yesterday, on a ledge overlooking a small field, gazing into the distance, talking.
One turned to the other:

"What a beautiful day!"

"It is beautiful. But I see clouds forming over on the right."

"Why are you not happy, insouciant at least? You are alive, you have a job, children... and there are no clouds over us - yet."

"I am worried. I am alone, I feel uncertain about my ability to cope with everything on my own. I'm not afraid of dying -- it's getting there that's scary: how to afford to get old nowadays, on my own..."

"Yes, but still: now you are alive, you have children, you have a job... You could be happy, for a moment... Grab the moment"

"Maybe I am afraid of being content just in case it is snatched away from me the next moment..."

"Why would someone snatch away from you what is... Your situation is not transferrable, so there is nothing in it for anyone..."

"Think of it this way: happiness is attractive and someone will want to take it away, pinch it. On the other hand, who would want to steal misery. Being miserable is safe: you don't risk becoming unhappy, you already are! You are safe!"

When "Fun Isn't Fun Anymore..."

As a matter of fact, this is from a book by Dame Agatha (Christie), Lady Mallowan, a book whose title I do not remember. Despite my short memory for the book's title, I kept the paragraph that follows. It is a very appropriate and well written piece although, as I remember, strangely inconsequential to the main storyline of the book (crime, obviously).

The paragraph begins, "Life was good fun, and I'd been content to go on with life being fun. That attitude goes with youth. When youth begins to pass, fun isn't fun any more."

It seems we grow up, from somebodies into nobodies; or, the lifetime efforts of escaping nonentity are stumped simply by the passage of time. It is important therefore, to have prepared the ground for growing older. Here are some of the things you should have:
a) Knowledge and choice: know what you want and want what you have, the latter being far more complicated than the former.
b) A home, the correct kind of home, one which affords you relaxation and contentment and pride, and inspires your hospitality instinct.
c) Pursue two interests at least: one mental, the other manual. One of these should be a (potential) income generator.
d) Access to and contact with friends and close family, schools, medical facilities, library.
e) No regrets except for missing the next drink after reading this -- which is hardly a major loss.

With the above, you are of the way to "When youth begins to pass, fun becomes different and deeper".