5 more things at 61

It was one year from yesterday that I posted a few observations of things I've learned in 60 years on this warming rock when I wrote "30 things at 60". Make no mistake that this short piece was attempting to reflect the broad wisdom and insight gained in that time but more of a reflection of how much I did not understand and how much more I wanted to learn.

I reviewed the list and it still applies in most ways, but since then I have a few more that I wish to add. Today I begin my 61st year and I am grateful and surprised by it all. When you're even 40, it's very difficult to imagine what one will feel like at this age. In truth, I feel very much the same though I might tire more readily physically or have more patience for some people (all the while having MUCH less for others) but certainly appreciate minute moments and small but singular events a great deal more.

With that, here's an addendum to the original 30 things.

5 more things at 61

31. Fans of televised professional sports are just as nerdy as comic book, Star Trek or Hogwarts nerds. Professional sports are based on imagined reality just as much as the exploits of Captain Kirk or H. Potter. The passion, nuanced data gathering and loyalty of each type of fan is very similar in depth and dedication. However, I've yet to hear of riots or police cars being overturned and burned because Spock was killed off.

32. We can learn much from nature and being in its presence is more important that we can imagine. Getting to nature and being open and wise enough to listen to its message does take effort, but worth it.

33. Forever seeking and questioning and pondering the presence of God or a higher power without expecting to actually gaining understanding is a noble endeavor. Hopeful belief is not an unreasonable position to take in such matters.

34. Telling those you love that you do is so vital to maintaining relationships and connections it cannot be overstated. One must give love to receive love.

35. Make everyday count. Each day should contain at least one thing that sets it apart from yesterday. We are given such damned few days on this melting rock that to waste even one is unforgivable.

That's all for now. Thank you, my friends for putting up with the waxing didactic of a man who is appreciative of each of you beyond words. I'm not sure what I did to deserve such a blessed life, but perhaps realizing that is part of the answer.

My Zion: A poem

The reasons are many and personal, but Zion National Park is my favorite of the many parks I have visited. Its beauty is well known and though I have walked many of its trails, there seems to always be something new to discover. It is there that I find a particular peace even when my heart races while gazing upon the ancient and ever-changing canyon walls.

I shall never tire of touching, smelling and taking in this place. Even when rubbing shoulders with other hikers while riding the shuttle up canyon, I feel that particular sense of peace and, forgive me, connection with the canyon.

Zion has inspired artists and writers for years in an attempt to convey the specialness of this place. In that spirit, I will share one or more of a handful of poems that I’ve composed about Zion and what it means to me. If you've visited the park and hiked it trails, you'll recognize the references. If not, then get yourself there ASAP and report back.

As with most of my poetry, it isn’t very good, so please forgive my indulgence. If nothing else, it was written in earnest. And it rhymes.

My Zion
Stains across an aerie altar, white streaked red
suspended above my reach, but not my sight.
Perhaps ancient titans sacrificed, honored, bled
now revealed in golden strains of morning light.

My Zion, my refuge
from all it is not.

Oh Zion, my haven
where solace was sought.

Did angels take wing from that lofty perch?
Does the stone truly weep for ages past?
When bygone men for food here did search
in the giant’s throne shadow cast.

This Zion, my friend
please show me how

Oh Zion, my Zion
if only time would allow.

Steps upon crimson sand and stone
as wind, water, eons carve and hew,
I realize my soul was still unknown.
for what was old is now new.

~Terry Tyson

30 things at 60

As I enter my 60th short year on this planet I began to think about what I’ve learned. It’s what old men do, this memento mori, thing.  The list is short which certainly indicates I have much more to learn, for which I am glad.  The list also contains things I’ve said before which likely indicates that I haven’t learned all that much.

Not recording this as guidance for anyone. It’s written for me and I imagine that I’ll remember a few things after it’s all down that I should’ve mentioned. Thank goodness there’s an edit function to this thing.

1.    There is nothing sexier than feeling the skin in the small of a woman’s back as you hold her.

2.    An unexpected kiss on the back of the neck is magic, to give and to receive.

3.    Make-up-sex is great, but preemptive-sex is better. Afterwards, you’re likely to forget what pissed you off or was about to piss you off in the first place.

4.    Family matters. Especially family with whom you grew up. For better or not, these people helped to create who you are even if you’ve learned things and created your own set of values different from those originally presented to you.

5.    Learn about your family and how it came to be. Not all of it is going  to be glorious or interesting, but it might explain the path you are currently traveling.

6.    Expand your family to include others with whom you do not share blood lines. There’s a small number of special people in my life who have become family and I am the richer for bringing them into my heart.

7.    Not everyone is going to like or love you. Accept that and move on to surround yourself with those who do.

8.    Support artists, writers, musicians and makers before supporting anything else. They contribute to your life and to the world much more than we will ever imagine.  A society is remembered in higher regard about what it created than what it conquered.

9.    Good books are a gift from an author that you cannot repay, except to buy more of their books. And tell them that you liked their work, it’s one of the reasons they do it. The same is true of artists, musicians and makers.

10.  Don’t hesitate to put down crappy books. Time is too short to waste on them.

11.  Listen to all kinds of music. Give new music a chance to work on you. Not all pop music is crap. Most of it, but not all.

12.  Walking is underrated.

13.  Walking in nature is underrated. It’s probably the best thing you can do for yourself and your spirit.

14.  Don’t try to convince others to believe as you do in matters of religion and politics. Even if they are completely wrong in every conceivable way, your argument is a waste of precious time.

15.  Try to understand why others believe the way they do in matters of religion and politics. You may learn something, even if they are wrong in every conceivable way.

16.  Learn to tolerate many things except ignorance, hate and intolerance.

17.  Cooking and preparing food for yourself or others is a noble endeavor. Remember where the food came from. It should instill great respect of how this world helped sustain your life.

18.  Finding the perfect glazed donut is an ongoing quest and likely never to be found. The search continues.

19.  Laugh often and make others laugh, especially at yourself. I mean, really…we’re pretty foolish creatures, after all.

20.  Pain and discomfort signifies that you are alive.

21.  I’m learning to think more critically. Hard to do at times, but it’s why I don’t believe in ghosts but believe in ghost stories.

22.  If you’re going to be helpful to others, do not put qualifications on your generosity. If you’re going to give a few bucks to a homeless fellow, don’t tell him that he can’t use it for booze. Otherwise, just keep your pocket change for something else.

23.  America may or may not be the greatest country in the world. It really doesn’t matter.  But continually trying to make it the greatest country in the world is worthwhile as long as we’re using worthy and objective criteria.

24.  I understand that professional sports is a commercial enterprise.

25.  Admit you’re wrong and do so the instant you realize it.

26.  I like dogs better than cats. I won’t go into why. See item 14.

27.  I am not my car. I am my character.

28.  Babies are magic. They make you talk funny and create the desire to smell them. But they also become teenagers, so there’s that.

29.  The universe is bigger than we can ever comprehend but we should leave this place better than we found it, or at least try a little regardless of our minor footprint.

30.  It appears that the universe is governed by incredibly complex mathematical concepts that will remain elusive for generations to come. I’m lousy at math which is why I try to understand it as best I can with my limited resources. Still, it’s a great thing to ponder and remain in wondrous awe.

 

The other thing I've learned is that I tend to go on too much. Forgive my lenghty didactic. I am really happy to be celebrating another birthday. The alternative really sucks.