When I first saw Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, I thought, "Now this guy is one big kid!" His boyish passion and wide-eyed enthusiasm were irresistible. Whether he was sticking his head in a crocodile’s mouth or picking up an irritated snake by the tail, I couldn’t stop watching. Needless to say, Kim and I were saddened to hear about his death yesterday.
He died doing what he loved, interacting with animals. For a few brief moments after learning of his passing, I couldn’t help but think, "Why did he always have to put himself in danger all the time? After awhile, it was bound to catch up to him." But then I reconsidered. I would rather die at 44, passionately doing what I loved, than spend my whole life playing it safe so I could die at the age of 88 in a rocking chair.
As I speak nationwide about Adultitis, I often wonder if it’s possible to live a life that’s completely Adultitis-free. I must say, I’ve observed this guy for a long time, and I can’t find any significant signs of the disease anywhere. I didn’t know him personally, but even the people who knew him best say that the guy you see on TV is the real Steve Irwin.
The guy’s curiosity and playfulness and passion are way off the chart. And he had a big dream. He wanted the world to see normally feared and despised animals like crocs and snakes and sharks as he saw them: cute, gorgeous, and beau-oooo-tiful. He reasoned that if the world could relate to these creatures, they’d be more inclined to protect them and their habitats. Did he delight in the little things? Let me put it this way: I once saw him root through a pile of "dragon poo" with the enthusiasm and excitement of a boy opening his only present on Christmas morning.
He’s the perfect example of being childlike — I’ll never forget his boyish grin or how his eyes got as wide as saucers when he stumbled upon a rattlesnake nest — without being childish. Besides being a committed dad and husband, no one was more determined or serious about protecting wildlife and educating us on the beauty and importance of all of God’s creation.
We need more Steve Irwins in this world. And I’m not just talking about the wildlife community. We need someone who is as enthusiastic and energetic and optimistic and determined in the arena of politics. We need some Steve Irwins in the field of education. In dentistry. In the pharmaceutical lab. In the local bank. I suppose the most tragic thing about losing Steve Irwin is that there are too few people like him.
So long, Crocodile Hunter. Thank you for teaching us. Thank you for showing us what an Adultitis-free life looks like.
Crikey, I already miss him so much.
Technorati Tags: Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, Adultitis, Australia, snakes, crocodiles, sharks
I can’t imagine a guy with the potential for more day-to-day stress, pressure, and overall responsibility than the pope. (With the possible exception of the President of the United States and the committee who decides what colors will be fashionable this season.) Yet somehow, Pope Benedict XVI (that’s the sixteenth for all you non Super Bowl fans) manages to stay relatively Adultitis-free.
Just last week, the pope gave a speech advising everybody to, um, chill out. Too much work and busyness is no good for the soul, he said. And it can make you stupid, too. I am paraphrasing a bit, but here’s the direct quote:
"It is necessary to pay attention to the dangers of excessive activity, regardless of one’s condition and occupation, observes (St. Bernard), because — as he said to the Pope of that time, and to all Popes and to all of us — numerous occupations often lead to ‘hardness of heart,’ ‘they are no more than suffering for the spirit, loss of intelligence and dispersion of grace.’"
Slowing down, what a concept! This statement was made while the pope himself was kicking back at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. To me, it’s a good sign that he practices what he preaches.
So as I take on this weighty responsibility of diagnosing the pope’s Adultitis level, I find myself giving him a pretty positive (or is that negative, in medical terms?) prognosis. And not just because I’m Catholic. He ranks pretty high up there when it comes to maintaining perspective, being honest, and — ahem — having faith. And of course, judging by the statement above, he has a good handle on slowing down to delight in the little things. Plus, the Pope Mobile is pretty sweet.
You may notice from the little Adultitis-O-Meter, I didn’t give him a completely clean bill of health. Why not? Well, all of the outfits and pageantry and the pomp and circumstance… they’re a little stuffy. Just once, I’d like to see the guy wearing Mickey Mouse ears, or sweatpants, or this t-shirt. Kids do like to play dress up, but not THAT much.
Still, if we all scored as well as Pope Benedict XIV, our world would be a much better place. And we should all take his message about slowing down to heart. We all need a break from time to time — no matter how important your job may be — or we won’t be any good to anybody. And if anyone gives you a hard time about taking a little time for yourself and the fam, relax.
The pope is on your side.
Technorati Tags: Catholic church, Pope Benedict XVI, stress, Adultitis, work life balance
Fidel Castro says his problems were brought on by stress.
I for one have never served in the role of dictator for any small island nations, but I can see how that job — not to mention maintaining one’s position on the list of world’s top ten biggest jerks — might be a bit taxing. I want to help, I really do. I thought about sending him a copy of Escape Adulthood, but ultimately decided it probably wouldn’t do much good. Not that the book doesn’t have some good things going for it. On the contrary, allow me to shamelessly and oh-so-proudly share a recent review I got the other day from a Floridian named Tracey Blum:
"I have begun reading Jason’s book, and I really think it’s great – an easy read, and very entertaining – and I especially love the sidebar endnotes, they crack me up! So often I see parents pushing their kids to grow up so fast, to stop ‘playing around’ and be mature – when they are all of 9 yrs old…this book is an excellent reminder for adults to #1 allow their children to BE children, and #2 remind them to take time to relax and enjoy life in all the beautiful ways a child is able to."
Ah, if only the tyrants of the world would "take the time to relax and enjoy life in all the beautiful ways a child is able to." I shall unequivocally state right now that we’d definitely have less wars. (Or at least they’d be decided with snowballs or water balloons.) Pipe dreams, I know, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream, eh? In any case, Castro gets a 10.0 when it comes to Adultitis, and I don’t see much hope for recovery.
I shall now get back to work on my new manuscript, tentatively titled "Escape Adulthood: 8 Secrets from Childhood for Stressed-Out Dictators."
Technorati Tags: Fidel Castro, stress, dictators, war, water balloons
