“I want more life,” says Rutger Hauer in the original Blade Runner, a less-than-novel idea that has existed for as long as humans have walked the earth. The question that comes to my mind is: More of what? More years, more impact, more love, more honor, more experiences, more stuff?
When I was in my mid-40s, I fantasized about escape: live on an island; live somewhere quiet and remote. I actually experimented with owning a small place on Kauai, had a gorgeous piece of land in Taos, and a small mountaintop in upstate NY. They were interesting, engaging projects, and I loved them all. Especially the upstate property with the black bear that roamed the mountain. I hope he is doing well. But that was then, and I am no longer as interested in pulling away as I was. At age 65, when many people are retiring to Portugal, Baja, or other pastoral parts, I seem to be going the other way. As much as I like gardening, critters, and trees, we now have a tiny apartment in a shiny blue glass tower on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. We still have the place in Utah, where my focus is not just skiing but competitive ski racing — delusions of victory not entirely different from 15-year-old David. All this raises some eyebrows, especially from the Park City folk, when they learn of our NYC belly-of-the-beast move. “Really? Uh, why?” Because it thrills me to be in the most vibrant city on Earth with people who are there to make stuff happen. Note: My friend West Chin, who lives in the same building, feels it is too sleepy and remote and yearns to be even more in the center of the action. West is special.
Recognizing that this is not a lifestyle most would want, and at some point I will probably yearn for the quieter life of my contemporaries, for this moment at least, my plan is to maximize. For some time, my mission in life seemed to have been something around showing that we are all greater than we thought we were, which, for me personally, meant fully embracing my potential. Everyone has greatness in them, which we often shy away from — not so much for fear of falling short, but fearing what would happen if we actually grabbed it. Greatness does not have to mean Elon-style uber wealth; he actually seems like a horrible parent, husband, and friend. It is, at its simplest, living your purpose. Note: Don’t waste time searching for your purpose; you already know it. Be the best version of yourself and double down where you already feel a sense of meaning and purpose. There is no right answer. We are all different. My path is not for you; yours is. Try to remember that this is the day we have; make it great. There may be a tomorrow or not, but there will surely be an end. Today, I am with Blade Runner Roy. I want more of what life has to offer. Who is with me?
Onward and upward,
David
