Gracefully

 

On Page 127 of his book, The Passionate State of Mind, Eric Hoffer writes three entries which I quote and then comment on.

 

Hoffer: “          235

 

The best part of living is to know how to grow old gracefully.”

 

My response: We are mortal, our time on earth in incredibly brief, and then we are gone. This reality should permeate our consciousness by the time we are 22 years old, so we get going, self-realize and make something brilliant and remarkable with our efforts.

 

We should go 80 miles an hour until our last breath, living life to the fullest and having a blast.

 

Yet, we should age gracefully, if we can manage it, perhaps mellowing a bit, not taking ourselves, life, or others quite so seriously, while still maverizing.

 

 

Hoffer:   “        236

 

There is a sublime thieving in all giving. Someone gives us all he has, and we are his.”

 

My response: It may well be that the generous person, not just with his time, but his respect, his regard and his money, whether he is motivated by self-interest or other-interest, is just a loving, kind person, and that warms the grateful hearts of most normal people.

 

 

 

Hoffer: “          237

 

The world leans on us. When we sag, the whole world seems to droop.”

 

 

My response: Each of us do make a difference and our efforts matter; we must stand tall, fight for what is right, and make the world just a little bit better.