Right to Remain

This morning's session was simple and straightforward. Warm up, then execute a seated push with cadence over 100 until expiration of current song. This, at level 11. Next song, stand at 11. Sit at 12, stand at 12. By the time we hit level 15 and Blue Sky (Lord ya know it makes me high when you turn your love my way, yeah, yeah) we had shared commentary on the pathetic and perplexing state of current affairs dealing with making a clean getaway. 

And I don't mean leaving town for the weekend. Seems my morning partner today is dealing with the reality of his father's mortality. A lot of us will be facing this same situation very soon. We both felt like the time is right for some compassionate, sensitive and nonpartisan compromise from our "leadership". Enlightened even. 

Is this possible? I wondered aloud, with the billions the health care industry, big pharma and the insurance conglomerates are hauling in on a regular basis, and coupled with the intimidation and fear tactics employed by gov.com, the Catholic Church and the Police State? How does one find enlightenment under all that oppression? 

We discussed the complexities. The Right to Die. Quality of Life. Dr. Jack. Native Americans. Medical technology. Our phobia on social care. The 1%, Totalitarian capitalism. War. Education. Inflation. Six feet under by shovel. 

By level 16 I was pretty cooked. Keeping 300 watts after 50 minutes felt like my legs were on the BBQ. We warmed it down, cooled, stretched and applauded each others effort and contribution to the discourse. His father is 65 and undergoing a liver transplant. He may not make it. Included in our conversation was the paradox of the rugged individual, the guy who thinks he can be self sufficient and totally independent. One can be the most self reliant lone wolf on the planet but sooner or later the paradox of receiving a liver from a donor will change your view. 

We need each other. We are social animals. Stress is reduced when we share. We like doing things together. We like the pecking order of having a leader, a cadre of specialists, a bunch of happy campers in the middle and a jester, prankster and comic to remind us that nobody gets out alive. 

The best way to die, I am convinced, it to know how to best live. To face the eventual with no regrets and the smile of accomplishment and experience on our face. I believe in the quality of life. Our days together are numbered. Nobody knows what that number is and it is different for everybody. It sometimes scares me to think of what a catastrophic mess I could find myself in, refusing to play the game. I do not want to burden anyone with cleaning up after I decide to go.

It's a good debate. A deeply individual choice. I do NOT want a puppet on a political string deciding for me. I see it as freedom of speech and the pursuit of happiness. It is quintessentially religious. I have the right to remain silent. 

In the meantime, I plan on living large and loud. 

Seems simple and straightforward. God Bless.