The Compromise In Not Dying Young

By Don Kenton Henry

I am at a point in life where I remain virile and physically ambitious. However, I’ve come far enough to see I am no longer “youth in all its vigor”. I have always said, “a little bit of vanity goes a long way” and—in terms of motivating oneself to remain fit and trim—it does. But even so, I find myself at a point of diminishing returns. This quote from Joseph Campbell brought home how important it is for one’s mind to transition to a position ever more deserving of our attention than our physical self, whose return on investment shall inevitably fade in comparison.

“The problem in middle life, when the body has reached its climax of power and begins to decline, is to identify yourself, not with the body, which is falling away, but with the consciousness of which it is a vehicle. This is something I learned from myths. What am I? Am I the bulb that carries the light? Or am I the light of which the bulb is a vehicle?

“One of the psychological problems in growing old is the fear of death. People resist the door of death. But this body is a vehicle of consciousness, and if you can identify with the consciousness, you can watch this body go like an old car. There goes the fender, there goes the tire, one thing after another— but it’s predictable. And then, gradually, the whole thing drops off, and consciousness, rejoins consciousness. It is no longer in this particular environment.” ~Joseph Campbell

It evoked in me the following advice I passed on to a friend I know who is coming to terms with the compromise that comes with being spared dying young.

“You and I will never surrender willingly to age. We will always fight the good fight. However, it is healthy to know what our priorities should be as we undergo the process.

Be optimistic but realistic. Make your expectations achievable. Praise yourself for looking as good as you do and doing the best you can. Let yourself off the hook for being human.

Every living creature … every beautiful movie star … to the smallest amoeba … will experience the same thing. And not all with the grace that you will.” – The Bard