Would You Choose to Live Forever?

It’s time to answer another question from Garry Poole’s “Complete Book of Questions.”  The question for today is:

If you could live forever on earth, would you choose to do so? Explain.

My answer: Absolutely Not!  Especially not with this body.

I believe that our entire purpose for this life on Earth is to grow, learn, experience, and then die and return to our bodies to the ground and our spirits to our Heavenly Father.  Click here for more info.

I can understand why someone might answer “yes” to this question.  We live in a glorious world.  There are so many beautiful things to see, places to visit, and adventures to experience.  It would take many lifetimes to accomplish all of the goals and ambitions that I have ever had.  I have whittled down my list of goals because of many things (or lack of) that have gotten in my way, and because I know I only have one limited lifetime and I want to utilize it to the best of my abilities.

Photo credit: Romi

For example: I took “Running a Marathon” off of my list because my joints are so damaged that it’s painful to even walk, let alone run for any distance.  I am ok with crossing that one off my list of goals.  I will leave this one up to my sister and brother-in-law.

Another: I used to dream of being a professional singer.  I don’t have the time, money, resources to put forth any effort for that.  My training and experience is very limited and I don't have the confidence that I would need.  I won’t ever be on Broadway or even play a big role in community theater because most roles require a lot of dancing and movement.  I get exhausted quickly and I am unable to make attractive lines with my body to be a dancer.  I can’t even straighten my elbow…  Could I still make singing professionally work?  Maybe, but I have other things occupying my mind.  For now, I'm perfectly happy watching Josh Groban sing for me.

Last one: I dreamed of raising one of my kids to be an Olympic gymnast.  I have always loved watching gymnastics and I thought it would be so awesome for one of my kids to be able to do the things those men and women do.  Training to be in the Olympics in any sport is a huge commitment of time and money, and I believe it requires a huge amount of self-discipline.  There are a couple of major issues trying to accomplish this goal.  First of all, that’s not really a goal that I can set for myself.  It’s not even something I can set for my children.  They need to have that desire and set that goal for themselves.  Second of all, training to be an Olympic gymnast takes a lot of training that costs time and money that I just don’t have.  Another issue is, my husband and I are both quite selfish people, and our kids, yep, very selfish as well.  Don’t get me wrong, they’re great and I love them tons, but already I can see that it would take a lot of personality training as well as physical training to get them in shape for the Olympics.  I have also thought about taking them to LA to be in show business, but I don’t think directors would put up with their stubbornness.  I want my kids to succeed and do well in whatever they choose.  I don’t want to be one of those parents who tries to live vicariously through their kids.

Life can pass by quickly at times.  I see how big my girls are getting and I can’t believe how much they have grown in such a small time.  I think most parents will definitely agree that time flies when it comes to your kids.  It won’t be long before they’re grown up and gone from my home to start families of their own.  There are hundreds of quotes to explain how important it is to cherish your little ones while they’re little because they won’t be that way for long.  I try to not let my RA get in their way, but unfortunately, it happens.  Quite often.  

Photo credit: Kelly at The Pretty Bee

On the other hand, life can pass by very slowly when you’re in pain.  It won’t be long before I will have lived more years with Rheumatoid Arthritis than without.  It has seemed like an eternity, and yet it’s only been 14 years.  I struggle to think about living another 14, 25, or even 30 more years with the body and the pain that I have.  So no, I would not want to live forever, possibly thousands of years, with this pain. 

Thanks P&G Photography!

Someone might say, "but think of all of the wonderful things to see and adventures to have!"  These are the only adventures I need in my life: my kids, books, writing, and a big garden.  

Riley