Psalms and Other Metaphors

I find, among my visitors to my home and to my office, a wide variety of levels of acceptance of each person's idiosyncratic Self. I have little doubt that it's good to be open to others' views of us ... The Good, the Bad and 'the Oh, Boy, that part of you is UG-LY.' I got that part but struggle with figuring out how much of a part is played by an-Other's Critical Eye or even an Envious One.  "why do you associate so often to Biblical themes?" ..... "why do you like being silly, cheeky and even occasionally distateful?"  .... People's "why's" about us and their criticisms. .....................................................................................................................................................
I suppose it came to lying in bed in the midst of an arrhythmia where my heart rate was bouncing about 3 times it usual resting heart rate. I remembered Psalm 90, I think it is. "The days of their lives (literally years) are 70; and if they be particularly strong 80." There you go with my Quarters ... 20-40-60-80 with a goodly number of people not strong enough/lucky enough to finish the Fourth Quarter. ...........................................................................................................................................
Then there were images of tonight. Last month, a reading group to which I belong was discussing some work on kids and I had to pee. While I was gone, the other Old Geezers voted to discuss my 6th chapter on a book from 15 years ago. It was not in line with the general thinking of the group and i suppose, instead of being honored, i was committed to keeping down my liquid intake during these meetings. Do I need to really be excoriated again for presenting my views on how people become socialized to the joys and pains of living in communities of mutual interest and concern? ........................................................................................................................... Isn't it enough? Who we are, that is? Maybe one of the benefits (Lord knows ... you don't get dental!) of Playing in the Fourth Quarter is not caring asmuch perhaps. ......................................... I, Howard, have a metaphor that comes from my Biblical training from a half a century ago. I, Howard have views about the world that have accrued over the same time. I, Howard don't know if they are RIGHT, these views and, in some sense, it's just too late to change the Game Plan. If that sounds depressing? I'd disagree with that, too. And, by the way, I like others who have their Game Plan pretty settled, as well, and don't mind the differences. ..................................................................
Any case, those who have a metaphor in Pop Culture get to understand the commercials on TV. Howard doesn't. He gets other stuff and with any luck will convert to a normal cardiac sinus rhythm before his first visitor arrives in 3 hours or so. ............................................................. Embrace you metaphor!