Live Dangerously, He Said

31 Dec 2025 27 Comments

by writingforselfdiscovery in adventure, Holidays, wisdom, Writing Tags: , , , , , ,

You might ask why anyone would take that approach to life. The great German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche, (1844-1900) was not looked upon kindly by his peers in 1800s Germany. Don’t forget he’s also the one who proclaimed, “God is dead!” Not a popular position when taken literally. But Frederick did not mean it literally, whereas, the following quote, he did.

“The secret of the greatest fruitfulness and greatest enjoyment is to live dangerously.”

I relate absolutely and completely to that compelling directive. I don’t believe he was talking about recklessness or ignoring the generally accepted moral principles of the times. I think it was more about exploring one’s curiosity, stepping outside the familiar, and refusing to live small.

But after I survived a terrifying incident on the 19th of December, I am forced to revise my methods of dangerous living. At 1:00 p.m. on that day, I was shopping for Christmas gifts. Suddenly, I felt detached from my body, my legs went wobbly and I gripped the shopping cart as I stumbled toward the exit doors. Once outside I crouched, my back against the rough brick wall of the stores’ exterior and tried to calm my racing thoughts and wildly beating heart.

About 30 minutes prior to this event, I had eaten one of Culver’s decadent concrete mixers. It was the smallest size they sell but due to a very rigid system of fairness at this particular Culver’s, there were not one, but two heath bars crumbled into that already criminally sweet concoction. I wondered if somehow t was experiencing a massive sugar rush that would pass if I just gave it time.

It didn’t pass. When I got home, legs still refusing to walk in a balanced and mannerly way, I went straight to bed.

My daughter was concerned. Shouldn’t we take you to a doctor? I’m a person who has always been exceptionally healthy. Every wound or illness I’ve had previously, with time, healed on its own. I was counting on that. Then my oldest daughter called. When she heard my symptoms she said, Mom’s having a stroke. Get her to the ER, NOW!

A new adventure had commenced.

My blood pressure, when I was admitted and a literal army of medical professionals tore into me, was 256/109. I shouldn’t be alive.

But I am.

It has been 12 days since reality took that unforeseen turn. Other than a little numbness in my left hand with fingers that have an unwillingness to cooperate at times, and the tendency to tire quickly, I am back to normal.

And yet, I am not. I’ve been warned that for the next 30 days the likelihood of a second occurrence is high, and if that should happen, it would be worse. Images float through my mind of drool trickling from the corner of my mouth as I slump in a wheelchair, blanket tucked around me, in a convalescent home somewhere.

I feel soul-crushingly vulnerable along with many other emotions that defy expression. And yet, some corner of me recognizes this as an opportunity, a challenge to recreate myself and my life once again. The doctors tell me I will make a full recovery. It may take a few more weeks to regain sensation and dexterity in my left hand, but it will return. I may require more rest than I used to, but I’m well aware that I’ve been pushing my body to accomplish more than it should for years.

This was a wake up call. And knowing my stubborn self, nothing short of a major come-to-Jesus would have forced me into the necessary changes. So here I am, staring my 76th birthday in the face, and the full impact of 2026 dead ahead. Hmmmm… Maybe I shouldn’t have said it quite that way…

Happy New Year, friends! Eat healthy, drink in moderation, get out to stretch those legs daily, and keep your dear ones near.

27 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Unknown's avatar Anonymous
    Dec 31, 2025 @ 16:17:42

    Im sorry Sherry. It happened to me also. First a small stroke then afib, cardiac arrest and an ablation. All good now. Forewarned is fore armed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Unknown's avatar Anonymous
    Dec 31, 2025 @ 18:40:33

    OMG Sherry, that certainly was a wake-up call! How lucky that your daughter recognised the signs! I’m with you, I absolutely dread the thought of sitting in a wheelchair drooling, instead of taking off on my adventures to Bali, Morocco, Darwin etc. And I love my swimming, walking, exercising etc. Long may they continue! Let’s hope that 2026 treats us all well!🙏👍❤️
    Very best wishes, Gail xxx

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Gail Brown's avatar Gail Brown
    Dec 31, 2025 @ 18:44:00

    That’s shocking Sherry! Thank goodness your daughter recognised the signs! Look after yourself and let’s hope that 2026 is kind to us all! 🙏🤞❤️

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Unknown's avatar Anonymous
    Dec 31, 2025 @ 19:29:20

    Wishing you safe healing and the return of good health

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Unknown's avatar Anonymous
    Dec 31, 2025 @ 20:04:48

    Let’s not have any more of this Sherry. Once is enough. Take good care of yourself. It’s a time for pampering you. We’re at an age where our bodies want to be treated with some loving attention and not taken for granted.

    Liked by 2 people

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  6. Razi's avatar Razi
    Jan 16, 2026 @ 08:43:15

    This discourse is particularly interesting because it clashes high-level intellectual philosophy with fragile physical reality. From the narrative, several provocative questions arise that make the reader want to dig deeper:
    1. The question of the limits of Philosophy
    “Where is the line between ‘dangerous living’ (Nietzschean) and neglect of physical health?”
    The author greatly admires Nietzsche’s thought not to “live small”. However, is this stroke a failure of the philosophy, or is it part of the “risk” that must be taken if a person really wants to live fully?
    2. The question of intuition vs. Denial (Denial)
    “Why are intelligent people often the last to admit they are in medical danger?”
    The writer felt “detached from his body” and experienced obvious stroke symptoms, but he preferred to blame the sugar rush from Culver’s ice cream instead of seeking medical help. This question sparks a discussion about how ego and a history of good health in the past can backfire deadly.
    3. The question of transformation in Old Age
    “How does a person redefine who he is when his body gives a ‘final warning’ at the age of 76?”
    The author calls this an opportunity to “reinvent oneself.”However, how can a person who is used to living independently and “dangerously” adapt to physical limitations and the threat of a second stroke without feeling deprived of his soul?
    4. Questions about medical irony
    “Can systemic injustices (such as excessive portions of ice cream toppings) really change a person’s life line?”
    There’s an element of dark humor as the writer blames the “justice system” at Culver’s outlets that gave Heath two chocolate bars instead of one. This raises an interesting question: to what extent do small, trivial events in our day actually hold the key to major events (such as blood pressure 256/109)?
    5. Questions about “Vulnerability”
    “Can the fear of’ loss of dignity ‘ (like the image of sitting in a wheelchair with saliva dripping) be a stronger motivator than the fear of death itself?”
    The author seems more afraid of losing control over himself than of death. It touches on the very human psychological side of how we perceive old age and chronic illness.
    Next steps I can take:

    my personal question
    how to
    analyze more deeply the relationship between Nietzsche’s quotes in the text and the psychological state that the author experienced during the recovery period?

    Liked by 4 people

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  7. The Random Doctor's avatar magnetic2b3ad44f85
    Jan 16, 2026 @ 10:20:47

    We all believe we’re fair.
    Yet our minds make silent judgments every day — about accents, appearances, and roles.
    Unconscious bias isn’t a flaw. Ignoring it is.
    Read how hidden assumptions shape our decisions — and how to unlearn them. 👇
    https://faithfatigueandthefuture.blogspot.com/2026/01/unconscious-bias-why-it-happens-and-how.html

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  8. Nine Cent Girl's avatar Nine Cent Girl
    Jan 16, 2026 @ 10:58:49

    A wake up is right! Glad you are still here and moving forward

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  9. Southerbeans 123446767676's avatar Southerbeans 123446767676
    Jan 18, 2026 @ 15:31:41

    DANGER IS BAD

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  10. theoctoberdiaries's avatar theoctoberdiaries
    Jan 19, 2026 @ 05:17:04

    I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad I happened to come across your orbit. Hi from a different corner of the world.
    You’re only one of you. Take care of yourself.
    Happy New Year!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

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