Welcome To Barbara's World

I Hope You Dance

“I’d like to think that time and age are like cousins—they’re relative.  Who said you have to go by actual miles?  If you didn’t know how old you were, how old would you be?”[1]

Ah, imagine if you could ask the mighty Red Wood trees of California that same question!  Though the bottom layers may be worn and tattered, these three-dimensional labyrinths continue to soar toward the heavens[2], protectively holding many of life’s yet-to-be discovered secrets.   The majestic Red Woods, proudly standing 380 feet tall, are over twenty-five hundred years old, and totally oblivious to any specific number associated with the years they have existed on this planet—a metaphor for human life as it should also be viewed?

“What can the Redwoods tell us about ourselves?  We are human and we have the capacity to love. We have the capacity to wonder.  We have a boundless curiosity, an inquisitive restlessness.  I think they can tell us something about human time; the flickering, transitory quality of human time, the brevity of human life, the necessity to love……….”[3]

            In this essay, I hope to draw a parallel with nature’s untapped resources—not only for plant and animal life, the wondrous seas that encompass 72% of our planet, the instinctive industriousness of insects; i.e., bees, but also the need and capacity of human beings—regardless of age, to wonder, to love, to contribute, all of which are completely discounted by today’s fascination with a youth-oriented society in the United States.   

Time.  “Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along.”[4]  When should it stop?  When should humans cease contributing?  Our time on earth is, in large part, spent satisfying one’s basic needs—self esteem, inquisitiveness, food/shelter, thirst for knowledge, and to love and be loved.  This does not stop as a designated (retirement) number appears, but continues as long as we breathe.   However, this documented concept seems to be a little fuzzy (out of whack) amongst a large percentage of Florida’s playful retirees.   It is a shame that the growing population of “seniors,” who have so much to offer, are either ignored or they, themselves, expect the right to romp and play like kindergarteners and, in some cases, mimic hormonal teens!   Isn’t this a waste of precious talent/wisdom, no different than any of the other unexplored natural resources of this world?  When do we stop growing, being inquisitive, contributing to society?  How old is too old?  Is there such a thing?  We do not impose this concept on discovering and utilizing nature, why should it be so done with people?

But, then, there is the other side of the coin.  With all the new medical advances—an easier, more affluent way of life to ensure for retirement years—are people overstaying their welcome?  Is longevity, burgeoning in our society, overtaxing the natural order of nature, itself?  Consider William Buckland’s views:

“The appointment of death by the agency of carnivore, as the ordinary termination of animal existence, appears therefore in its main results to be a dispensation of benevolence; it deducts much from the aggregate amount of the pain of universal death; it abridges, and almost annihilates, throughout the brute creation, the misery of disease, and accidental injuries, and lingering decay; and imposes such salutary restraint upon excessive increase of numbers, that the supply of food maintains perpetually a due ratio to the demand.  The result is, that the surface of the land and depths of the waters are ever crowded with myriads of animated beings, the pleasures of whose life are co-extensive with its duration; and which throughout the little day of existence that is allotted to them, fulfill with joy the functions for which they were created.”[5]

Though at the time of Buckland’s composition, longevity of the masses was not an issue, in present day, can this excerpt from his treatise be interpreted to mean that death is a swift relief, sparing one lingering decay—thereby, also not taxing the vibrant youth?   To further read into, couldn’t this be construed to mean “life is meant to be enjoyed;” therefore, prolonging the existence of man, without enjoyment, is not fulfilling the balance intended by nature.  If the life expectancy is raised, doesn’t that also come with an obligation to perform, to contribute—to not be a burden?  These are very sensitive and ethical questions with which a variety of opinions exist.  On an abstract, scientific level, the merits are apparent, but humans do not live on this level.  It is not quite so simple. Unlike other species (or so we believe), humans have emotions that come into play.  Killing grandma (thankfully) would not be taken lightly, no matter the balance of nature!   However, to live on this earth means being connected to all of nature.  In turn, everyone—for their own good and the good of all mankind—no matter their chronological age, needs to be involved, to care, give back, to the best of one’s ability, for as long as one is blessed with good physical and mental health.  “I hope you never lose your sense of wonder.  You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger.”[6]

While watching the TED videos, what struck me most was the avid interest, vitality, and ambition of the presenters, in particular, Robert Ballard[7] and Jane Goodall.[8]  Both are certainly at an age deserving of retirement; yet, they speak volumes for their cause, and exhibit the evident benefits of staying involved, contributing to this world, making a difference.  I, personally, related to Robert Ballard, as I have recently completed a Summer I Geology/Science course, learning about plate tectonics,[9] never taught in any of my earlier school years; confirmed by Mr. Ballard, “The now-proven theories of Plate Tectonics were never even mentioned in all my years of schooling.”[10]  To wit:  Alfred Wegener, a German meteorologist and geophysicist, published The Origin of Continents and Oceans in 1915, suggesting a super continent, Pangea, but, without sufficient evidence, it was not favorably received by the scientific community.  It was not until 1968—when new developments, and a far more encompassing explanation was presented—that the theory of plate tectonics was accepted and entered into science curriculum. 

Finally, my challenging and new endeavor was beginning to connect, relating to the present world on an academic level.  Please allow me to backtrack in order to explain.

After having seen three sons through undergraduate degrees, MBA, Jurisprudence, and beyond, two years ago, with much trepidation, I did something that had been put on hold for many years.  I began the (at my age) scary process of college enrollment.  “I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance.  Never settle for the path of least resistance………”[11]

The first miracle—after days of telephone calls, and subsequent letters—was in locating transcripts from my out-of-state (now defunct) Catholic High School.  Wonder of wonders, they were actually unearthed from the archives of the dark ages!  Of course, SAT scores were non-existent; therefore, I had to take the CPT[12] exam.  Surprisingly, the results were more successful than anticipated, which I credit to years of reading, and involvement with my sons’ education. 

Traversing unchartered waters, I then enrolled, part time, at IRSC.  How is this brain going to function amongst young, bright minds?  Gratefully, it has not been a problem.[13]  The only problem—if you want to call it such—occurs when I tell people I went back to school.  The standard question I hear (and, may I say, not in a nice way) is, “Why?”  Usually, I simply reply to the senseless question with an equally ridiculous answer, “Just trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.”  However, one woman, I recently met, wouldn’t let it go.  After three times of her insistent, “Whys,” I finally replied, “If I were to tell you that I frequent the gym five days a week, would you ask me, ‘Why?’”

She quickly responded, “Of course not, that is good for you!”  OK, then………..

Taking a stab in the dark, it is a guess that this mentality comes from the ingrained, utilitarian[14] principles, formulated by Jeremy Bentham[15]—England’s Industrial Revolution, late 1800s and early 1900s—on which America’s educational system was founded:  The only reason to pursue learning is for a useful means to an end, most times, relating to earning the almighty dollar. Obviously, by the time a degree was earned, I would be well past the age for gainful employment in the business world (or any other world, for that matter)!  What good would this do me, this degree?  

Recently, my very-understanding and supportive husband commented that, at least, I enjoyed going to school.  Did he mean, “Enjoyed,” as in, fun?  No, though it is satisfying, it is not fun.  It is hard work, challenging, and, sometimes, quite overwhelming.  So, then, why do it?  Aside from assuring myself and my grown children that I won’t be drooling anytime soon (and it beats crossword puzzles), school makes me feel alive. 

“It’s crossing your fingers when the map doesn’t make sense, when the compass doesn’t know truly north from truly lost; and it’s up to you—you and your gut and your mettle, and your level of resilience, and your wealth of wisdom—to persevere.  To get to the other side.”[16]

On the positive side—along with my husband and close friends—my sons have been totally supportive and encouraging.  The tables have turned.  They are now the cheerleaders.  Last year, after a philosophy class, I called my youngest son—who, at the time, was finishing his last year at the University of Miami—and, excitedly, related that the philosophy professor, Dr. Garcia, had commended me on an assigned research paper, and asked that I explain/instruct the class.  My son laughingly responded, “Oh, those poor kids!”   I knew exactly what he was remembering.   “I do not expect perfection, only excellence,” is the mantra with which they lived each school term.  (However, it has served them well.) Now it is my turn to meet the same standards which were imposed on them.  They’d never let me live it down, otherwise—poetic payback?  Perhaps, but challenging, for sure!

“Living might mean taking chances, but they’re worth taking.  Loving might be a mistake, but it’s worth making.”[17]

I am loving life, growing, learning.  Living this chosen chance—to be an active participant in the 21^st Century—is exciting.  I am not going to find the cure for Cancer or climb the Red Wood trees of California—and, most assuredly, I will not be raising bees!  It is highly unlikely that I will be exploring the mystical depths of the oceans—magically depicted by Robert Ballard and Rachel Carson—but the mystery and expanse of these waters will still serve to amaze and astound me, continuing to put life in perspective.  “I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean…”[18]  I seriously doubt that I will ever have the opportunities of Jane Goodall—to travel about, instituting programs, improving the world.

“But, we can make choices; how we live; how it will affect the future.  The human spirit can pull themselves up and change the world.”[19]  

            Though I may be a hundred and three when I finally hear Pomp and Circumstance; hopefully, in some small way, I am helping to change the world, contributing, giving back—by raising the bar for mature adults, and society on a whole.

So, when you have the chance to sit it out or dance……….[20]

I Hope You Dance 

Bibliography

Lee A. Jacobus, University of Connecticut.  “A World of Ideas,” Eighth Edition; ©2010 by Bedford/St. Martin’s; Peter Singer and Jim Mason:  Rachel Carson, The Sunless Sea, p. 615; Stephen Jay Gould, Nonmoral Nature, p. 635.

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design),  Taste3 Conference; “Ideas Worth Spreading.”

1.     Richard Preston:  Climbing the World’s Biggest Trees

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/richard_preston_on_the_giant_trees.html

2.     Robert Ballard:  Exploring the Ocean’s Hidden Worlds

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/robert_ballard_on_exploring_the_oceans.html

3.     Dennis vanEngledorp:  A Plea for Bees

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/dennis_vanengelsdorp_a_plea_for_bees.html

4.     Jane Goodall:  Helping Humans and Animals Live together in Africa

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jane_goodall_at_tedglobal_07.html

Foundations of Earth Science – Fifth Edition, Frederick K. Lutgens/Edward J. Tarbuck;                                ©2008 Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

Book:  I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack, ©2000 by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers.                                      Rutlledge Hill Press, Nashville, TN:   

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-wit1.htm

The History of Education in America; http://www.chesapeake.edu/Library/EDU_101/eduhist.asp

©1999, The Concord Review, Inc., Ralph Waldo Emerson Prize 2001 – Patrick Bradley,  Victorian Lessons:  Utilitarianism and Education in Bentham, Mill, and Dickens