This past week, Newsday magazine published an article on riding that included an interview with Dr. Warson, and included a mention of "The Rider's Pain-Free Back."
Written by Caryn Eve Murray, the article discusses some of the challenges that face people who start riding when they are more "mature." What I especially liked, however, was how often those she interviewed mentioned that riding was a great way for their families to spend quality time together.
I have a dear friend who regularly bemoans the fact that her husband would rather sit and watch TV than do something -- anything -- with his family. He'll watch programs featuring sports he doesn't even like rather than get off the couch and experience his own life.
We've all heard that "no one ever laid on their death bed and said 'I wish I'd spent more time at the office'" spoken as a cautionary tale against workaholics. In the same vein, I believe that no one ever laid on their death bed and wished they'd watched more television or played more video games.
When I'm feeling the final minutes of my life ebb away, some regrets I may experience include:
I wish I'd spent more time learning to play the guitar...
I wish I'd learned to speak French fluently...
I wish I'd read all the books I wanted to read...
I wish I'd written all the screenplays I have in my head...
I wish I'd spent less money on things and spent more on travel...
I wish I'd worked more diligently to get my movies made...
I wish I'd spent more time riding...
I wish I'd played more with my child...
It seems to me that all regrets -- past, present, or future -- stem from choosing inaction over action. Sitting on the sidelines may seem like the easy road. But each life only has a finite supply of moments alloted. And inactivity, laziness, and sloth just leach those moments away.
I am grateful to Ms. Murray for favorably mentioning the book. And I am even more grateful to her for the reminder that every day is an opportunity for me to "Take the Reins" and fill my moments to minimize any regrets that might arise when those moments come to an end.
