“Can you realize your dream’s alive? You can be the guide but…”

↓

 

 

 

 

 

To the few of you that follow my work extremely closely, my birthday passed recently.

 

I am – as of this moment – 43 years old.

 

To celebrate the event, a young woman took me out to dinner.

 

As we awaited our table, an elderly man before us in line turned to me affably, remarking:

 

“Don’t get old.”

 

I smiled broadly at his kind, if futile, advice, replying:

 

I didn’t see the box to check that option on my birth certificate.

 

He laughed (good naturedly) saying:

 

“You’re right; I didn’t, either.”

 

 

 

Now, when younger men call me old, I say exactly what I wrote in my book:

 

You’ll either live to be my age—

 

or you won’t.

 

There’s no other choice.

 

While there’s no shortage of Truth in my words, permit me to offer some advice that is not so impossible to follow.

 

 

 

On my bed, right now – as I type this, is the teddy bear that my (now deceased) mother laid in my crib when I returned with her from my delivery in the hospital.

 

That same threadbare, careworn, stuffed animal will likely buried (or cremated) with me.

 

Thus, I say to you:

 

Never, ever allow the world to reclaim your boyishness.

 

Childishness can, and should, one day fade, yes.

 

But, should boyishness go, death may as well be on its heels.

 

 

 

Childishness is immaturity, selfishness, short-term thinking, hedonism and disregard of reality.

 

Boyishness is curiosity, innocent boldness, awe at/humility before reality, wonder at nature, a heart ever prepared for adventure and a desire for companions on endeavors to seek such.

 

Even at my age, there are moments when I stand slack-jawed at the stars.

 

Stare in amazement at animals.

 

Get excited for simple pleasures.

 

Ask 100 questions in breathless anticipation.

 

And these very parts of myself I kindle, blowing upon them using whatever force remains within to enflame the embers – bringing them to renewed vigor.

 

[Yes, women – with their omnipresent pragmatism – find this simultaneously endearing and puzzling.]

 

 

 

Why do I do this?

 

Because, as I said:

 

Should the flame die—

 

I may as well be extinguished with it.

 

Plus, wise men know the universe tilts heavily in favor of darkness.

 

So bring it light.

 

 

 

 

 

Ω