Are You Busy Being Born, or are You Busy Dying?
You Choose.
Are you busy being born, or are you busy dying?* There’s not really an in between.
You exercise your muscles, or they atrophy.
You learn new things and improve your mind, or open the door to ignorance.
You seek new experiences, or invite complacency.
You stay physically active, or become lethargic.
You cultivate important relationships, or entertain loneliness.
You use your time wisely, with intention, or let it pass by aimlessly.
The good news is that you get to choose.
No birthday got my attention like my 65th. Not 40 or 50, and not even 60. But 65? Yikes! It was like God himself reached down from the Heavens, grabbed me by the shoulders, shook me, and said, “Hey pal, time to tune into the fact that you’re getting older, a ‘senior citizen’ no less, and this train won’t be slowing down.” Gulp. Okay, so warned.
So I can’t slow the train down, but I can choose not to coast along passively as a passenger as it speeds down the track.
How about you? Are you busy being born, or are you busy dying?
* Let’s give credit where it’s due. ‘That he not busy being born is busy dying’ is a line in Bob Dylan’s song, “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”.