Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Here is a great quote on Retirement
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Old 08-13-2015, 09:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Happydaz View Post
I had a friend quote that same book. He is an avid motorcyclist and liked that broken down version of being all used up when he dies, skidding sideways with a martini in his hand. He wants to be able to experience all he can as fast as he can. Sounds like Hemingway! I prefer a more spiritual life, one that hopefully leaves me fuller and wiser as I age. My friend was not too happy when I told him that Hunter S. Thompson, the author of that quote, committed suicide at 67, similar to Ernest Hemingway, another unfortunate alcoholic. There were reports that Thompson's wife was on the phone when he put a gun to his head. He was a brilliant man but unfortunately his life was a sad story.
I don't see those two concepts necessarily in conflict. I'm spiritual, and feel fuller and wiser as I age. But I also want to live life to the fullest. I teach a course called The Bucket List at my university and we read great works of literature, like Henry James' The Ambassadors, that speaks to "LIVING." I was a journalist for many years and didn't know that the quote was from Thompson. I would never advocate his lifestyle, but I bet it wasn't ALL bad. Life never is.
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