No Cure 'Cept Enjoyment

"There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval."

-- George Santayana

No one knows if we "survive" death, and, if so, where we go. No one knows whether we existed before we were born. Birth and death are the facts. All reflections upon them are just opinion, specultation, or unfounded belief. Why waste your time with speculation when reality is staring you in the face? And what is reality? Your life -- right here, right now!

As Santayana points out, enjoyment is the best response to uncertainty. Attempting to combat uncertainty with soothing stories, sophisticated theology or blind belief is child's play. The real warrior, the really alive individual, has no time for idle speculation. He or she is engrossed in life, living fully each day, never knowing exactly what the next day will bring. And the not knowing is OK. In fact, the not knowing is just fine because it is the hallmark of life itself.

I'll bet there's a whole slew of stuff that you really enjoy doing that you haven't done for the longest time. Today, choose one of those things and do it. Enjoy it. And then, if you're really on a roll, enjoy doing another, and maybe even a third. Once enjoyment becomes an ingrained habit, you may find yourself enjoying even the most mundane aspects of your life -- your morning shower, your commute to work, doing the dishes, paying the bills (though that may be pushing it), etc., etc.

The enjoyment approach to life is two-fold. One, take time to do more of what you already, really enjoy. Two, let the joy ripple out into your life, so that you begin to enjoy more and more aspects of your day-to-day existance. I've noticed that if I play an exciting set or two of tennis in the morning, the whole rest of my day seems more enjoyable. If I begin my day with meditation, things just seem to open up and enjoyment springs from the most suprising sources.

Truth be known, enjoyment always springs from only one source -- within. The things we do that we really enjoy are mere catalysts that put us in touch with the joy within, the joy that is part and parcel of our true being. By living joyously we manifest the best side of ourselves. And in so doing we benefit not only ourselves, but also all those whose lives we touch, and, indeed, the whole world.