you are not likely to want to continue past a certain point. With my physical disability from the two SUVs that crashed into me on a bicycle commute to work, I was in a room waiting for a doctor to come in around a decade ago. This guy came in and asked me my name and information to verify my identity. He explained he was the x-ray tech and was sure there must have been a mix up. You see, I did not have any remarkable damage occur in one spot. I had damage occur down the entire length of my spine. The x-ray tech said my images looked exactly like the spine of an eighty year old person but the identity was for a thirty year old.

Most people degrade slowly in health to where it is nearly imperceptible to them. I experienced that change in an instant. I feel every bit as slow and stiff as I see the worst 80-90 year olds shuffling around. I cannot sit upright or stand for more than a few minutes at a time. The rest of me is in great shape, but the constant pain wears the mind down in subtle unspeakable ways. The white noise of pain eventually starts to drown out your thoughts. You will reach a point where you just want to rest, to stop the endurance race. Continuing becomes a cantankerous quarrel against the relentless maledictions of death. Extending that tormentuous race is more symbolic that practical. The part to extent is youth and middle age. Some people like running a double Marathon, and I have nothing against their sport, but for most of us, that type of hell is an unspeakable torture, so be careful what you wish for.

Live a classical Epicurean lifestyle as much as possible, and appreciate the sun rose for you today. It is the only today you will ever have. If you live for tomorrow, your life will pass you by before it ever arrives, and you find yourself living for the lost cause of yesterday.