What You Must Do

"I have said before and I will say it again that it really does not matter much to the rest of us what you do, so long as you don't hurt anyone. But if you don't do something that you are proud of later on, it will matter to you."

-- Richard Watson. The Philosopher's Diet, p. 103.

I like Big Dick's attitude -- do whatever the hell you want, just don't hurt anybody, and everything will be OK. At least it will be OK as far as the rest of us monkeys are concerned. But to make everything OK for yourself, you've got to do something more, you've got to do something that's going to make you feel proud, fulfilled, and real.

What is that thing that you've got to do to make yourself proud? I have no idea. And you probably have no idea what I've got to do. That's just the point -- it has nothing to do with what others think you ought to do, what well-meaning people say you should do, what your parent or spouse wants you to do, or what your counselor, priest or consultant recommends that you do.

It's you. You are the one and only final authority on what you need to do to pass the Rocking Chair Test. Imagine, if you will, it's 20, 40 or more years from now. You're sitting on the porch in your rocking chair looking back over your life. What's that one thing of which you are most proud? Got nothin'? Better get busy!

The thing that makes you proud could be one shining moment, or a lifelong passion. It could be a book you write, a relationship you nourish, a cause you support, a skill you master, a role you play impeccably. Whatever it is, it's the thing that makes all the rest of it worthwhile, that makes you use and develop your unique qualities, talents and passions. It's the thing that makes your soul sing and your heart catch fire. 

Whatever it is, that's the thing you must do. That's really the only thing you must do to make sure that your life is well lived. All the rest of it, the roller coaster ride we call life, may be enjoyable, may be challenging. It may distract you or support you. Whatever. It will happen, it will unfold, and all the time it does, you still must cleave faithfully to the thing you need to do.

That's it. It's simple really. Find it. Do it. Don't hurt anyone. Make yourself proud. And, of course, enjoy the rocking chair!