The secret to a long life...

From living on the edge, to the dangerous road(paths we follow)...

I remember a phrase from an older western movie.  Simple but true, and relates to all walks of life.
It goes: "The secret to a long life, is to try not to shorten it."  

So that alone, opens up so many possibilities as to its statement.  Anything you may do, that directly or indirectly makes that likely.    

(Here's another)  Do not piss off an individual that already seems disgruntled or angry at the world.)

Think about how that relates in your life for a moment(or a while). Secondly, do you care?  I can say by observation; a high percentage do not care. They may act like it is important but the actions in their lifestyle says otherwise.  For myself, it made a significant impact upon hearing it.

Throughout my life; from the teenage years on through adulthood; I managed to stay away from the rampant drug use. Sure, I was 'around' people, that used and what not but my self control was a powerful force within me.

Thankfully, I had grown to despise anything, that removes you from reality.  (Hmmm, was that a good decision?) 

 I am not into that fantasy, feel good therapy of drugs, alcohol or whatever.  

Adventurous; I am also not.  So many things one may do to ' live on the edge.'
  I felt the common knowledge of (drug use) dangers and had "seen enough to know".  

Alcohol, I have had my rendezvous with a bit. 
  I don't get too caught up in it all.  Life, is taking risks or chances, that often lead to circumstances.  

Lets look back to the Greatest generation:
After Pearl Harbor, thousands made the Choice to join the armed forces of our great country.

I am deeply grateful, for each and every one of them!

As dangerous as it had become, (after the monotony of waiting to deploy) to the eastern front, all the way to the Pacific; The odds were not good for so many. 

Think about the Bataan death march, for example.

  All those lost along the way (a horrible death) to the camps of which they moved about from.  All the individuals that had lost a friend(battle buddy) as casualties of war.  

Now imagine those that survived;  Incredible men!  against all the odds, they eventually made it home.
It wasn't their time.                          (Do you believe in reincarnation? )

  Fast forward into today.  Do you think any of them had imagined living up til 60, even 70? or past 85?  Amazing individuals!  Many things come to mind as to why they survived so long after.  Life wasn't taken for granted anymore.  

They likely lived moderately as well as ate what they consumed; moderately.  Not excessively, or even lived too dangerously.
Life was precious to them, and after the extreme hardship, trauma or inner struggles; they had taken on an awareness you really cannot experience the same way as they had.  

Humbling, I'm sure as well.

That is why I believe, there are no certainties in life.  

Some fade away or perish from circumstance(beyond our control). Others take their own lives.

From the young age of 18, I knew or at least had a pretty good idea what was ahead of me.  REALITY, and the real world where there are no handouts.  

Life is hard, and you really need to begin with a plan or goals and get to work!  

No sloth, laziness or expecting a relative to continue raising us in our young adult lives.
No time to screw around with your life.
Now, my life is not perfect or the best by any means.  But my life isn't anything to complain about either.
I know  there are others that struggle more than I.
Some have been given a 'bad hand of card's' dealt to them.  

So as for my own life; I am grateful, and to God I am thankful.
Too each they're own life.  Who knows how far you'll make it?

Remember this:  You're not there, til you're there!
   After being born, death is assured.