you know me I believe life is a journey that keeps going into eternity. 

The problem is most don't take time properly to prepare for the journey from life to afterlife.   Most just keep on putting off travel preparations until it's just too late. 

I think we should all be ready, with our bags packed, tickets in hand, for the ultimate trip into eternity.  Sadly, most don't think they're going anywhere after here and don't prepare properly. 

I, most likely (God willing) will live to past 80.  My dad is 70 and my grandmother is 90 and both are in fairly good health.  My other grandmother, died in her late 70's but she was a heavy smoker and didn't take care of herself.  My mom's still alive and well also. 

60 don't seem as old as it did 20 years ago, huh!  Yeah, we all wrestle with mortality from time to time.  We joke and put tag lines on it ...I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was...Now it takes me all night to do what I used to do all night...a recent stay in the hospital reminded me I ain't all that anymore.  Just gotta keep pluggin away and get done what you can.  We'll share comments on how naive we were on this thread in 20 years, okay?

Yes.  We can worry about it, and be miserable, or just live our lives, and enjoy whatever fate has for us.

The difference between the 25 year old Dr. Guy and the 50 year old Dr. Guy is in knowing what to obsess about and what to let go.

there are more solutions here than this either/or you're presenting. 

We can also plan and be exicted about the journey and live our lives free from anxiety because the trip past old age is taken care of with careful preparation ahead of time. 

I have a friend who just lost her husband unexpectedly.  They were both in their 70's and their income was limited.  She told me how relieved she was that they had bought burial plots years ago with the funeral arrangements taken care of as part of that cost.  What they paid back then is a fraction of what it would cost today. 

The planning ahead took care of all the anxiety she had about her husband's burial.  Everything was taken care of for her with no costs incurred for her presently. 

It's the same with us in every which way.  Physically, mentally, financially and eternally.  If we would just look ahead and plan somewhat we would be so much better off with less anxiety when a crisis comes upon us in the dark of night. 

It's like having a report due.  We can either put it off until the last moment or we can do it right away having plenty of time to spare for touchups.  Which causes less stress? 

Not to the question presented.  It was an either or question.   It was not about how to live life, but whether you obsess about those things you cannot change.

ok I guess what I'm trying to say is in response to you here Doc....it doesn't have to be an either "worry about it and be miserable or "just live our lives and enjoy whatever fate has for us."  There's another option. 

What I'm saying is we can cope with fate easier by taking it in our own hands and by doing something positive. We do have choices in our life that influences our "fate."   We can be pro-active and change some of what could be looming ahead for us in our future by changing direction.  So worrying about it or just taking it isn't all there is with coping with fate. 

I am shocked and disturbed that the end is ten or fifteen years away and I still have so much to do in my life. We all think this way, at 60 or 70, but how do Joeusers cope with fate? Do you brush it aside, as I'm trying to do, or do you worry about the consequences?

I have so much to do that I need to live to 80. It's not going to happen. How do you feel?\

I,  being 61 myself,  understand the question you raise.   However we don't know for a fact that we only have ten or fifteen years left!  We might have 10 or 15 seconds!! 

The one thing that is sure is that we won't live forever.   Knowing that,  hopefully we'll fill the time we do have with happy,  loving things.

Yes,  yes I do have "times" when I worry,  wondering how I'm going to accomplish so many things that I want to,   then I have to ask myself if I want to squander my time on worrying!

I mean this with all my heart,   congratulations on your good health.  I hope you're able to take care of your teeth,  I sure miss my real ones!  Now THAT is something I do regret,  not having taken good care of mine,   meaning flossing.

Trudy, I admire your philosophical view. Let's hope we go into our seventies semi- senile and able-bodied. We cannot, wish for perfect health but we could be lucky. My problem is : I've got so much to do. I need time.

Little whip, knowing you , you'll be fighting until your 90. God Bless--I hope you do.