A perspective on time

My Dad is the smartest man I know. He taught me early, when trying to comprehend something, to test the extremes. What he meant was to pose the problem at each end of its extreme limits. For instance, in trying to understand the impact of taxes on the economy, first imagine zero taxation, and then 100% taxation. If you can hypothesize the effects at each end, then anything in between is bounded and easier to figure out.

So recently I have been considering the coming of my seventh decade. It is November and I suddenly realized that I have a finite number of Novembers. When I was young, the supply of Novembers seemed endless – but no longer. How shall I deal with this realization?

Say that there were an infinite number of Novembers. If that were the case, then they would have no value. This November, and the next, and the 50th, and the 100th would all be of equal value because there is an endless supply. I would be tempted to squander them – making no recognition, taking no notice, they would pass unremarked.

At the other extreme, what if this were my very last November – how would I treat it? Certainly, it would bring my priorities and values into sharp relief. What makes me happy? What makes me feel fulfilled? What can I do in these last 30 days to maximize my contentment and minimize my melancholy?

The thought experiment leads to a very personal list. Yours will be different, but here is mine, in no particular order:
• Reach out to all of my loved ones and express that love.
• Enjoy my dog welded to my thigh as he sleeps beside me.
• Pass on some wisdom to kids and nieces and nephews and anyone who will listen.
• Enjoy traveling and good food and drink with dear friends (my wife is one such).
• Create a fine meal or a fun drum rhythm or a poignant short story and leave it for someone dear.
• Plant a fruit tree to provide sustenance and pleasure to assorted strangers.

But in the event, I have 10, or more likely 20, but probably not 30 more Novembers. So I will do a bit of the above but also squander some. Squandering can be pleasant too.