Live your life the way you want to

"I’m the one who’s got to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to."

Jimi Hendrix

I never thought that I would be quoting Jimi Hendrix some day, but it turns out that during his lifetime, the famous rock and roller said some things that were quite profound. The quote above speaks to me of the human need to go along; to acquiesce; to succumb to the pressures of the groups, communities or families that we find ourselves being members of. Human beings are “pack animals.” We feel a need to live amongst others in order to fulfill our destinies. In order to get along in our “pack” we tend to do what the leader of the pack and the other members tell us to do whether or not we agree with it, whether or not it makes sense and whether or not it is totally contrary to our own way of thinking. We wear fashionable clothing that we find uncomfortable, we work at jobs we do not enjoy, we are polite when we would rather be outspoken, and we do whatever our Governments and bosses tell us to do regardless of how foolish or misguided those things might be.

Jimi Hendrix on the other hand, was not politically correct for his time and although he had a reputation for being kind and polite, his gentility was on his own terms. He chose not to buckle to society’s customs or its moral idiosyncrasies. He wrote and performed brilliant music that was not only ahead of its time, but was considered by many to be so objectionable that it could not be classified as music at all. Jimi Hendrix was the epitome of the word “individualistic.” He lived his life on his own terms and as short as it was, he lived it to the fullest, doing what he wanted to do every step of the way.

Jimi’s quote speaks to me of our collective right to live our lives as we want to. We should realize that on the day of our death, we will not be joined by most of the people we followed during our lives or by any of the people who guided our actions during life. Death is a solitary thing and our mentors, lovers, teachers, legislators, and family members will not be there to tell us how to live our deaths despite the fact that they constantly told us how to live our lives during our time above ground.

I always enjoy meeting people who are free spirits and who are not bound by conformity. I like mavericks, free thinkers and non-conformists. I laugh at people who say things that society does not want them to say. I love people who find humor in taboo subjects, and I enjoy spending time with people who dare to try things they have never tried before or that others think they have no business trying. Above all, I admire people who are authentic and true to themselves; the people who do what THEY want to do despite criticism from others.

What is success? Is it money? Is it possessions? Is it status and recognition?...or is it the happiness and the satisfaction that comes from doing the things that we truly want to do? Happiness is the only commodity that can truly make our lives worthwhile during our short time on earth. There is nothing sadder than the death of a person who has never lived!

Live your life to the fullest, folks. Live it the way YOU want to!

All the Best!

Wayne Kehl