I was thinking about an old beer commercial today as I was getting ready to meet a friend for lunch. It was a Schlitz ad that came out in 1970:
“You only go around once in life. So grab for all the gusto you can. Even in the beer you drink. Why settle for less? When you’re out of Schlitz, you’re out of beer.”
I’m not and never have been a beer drinker but that commercial has lingered in my head for more than fifty years now. There’s a simple reason.
When my first ex-husband and I got divorced he told his friends, “I’m going around once in life and she’s getting all the gusto.”
I’m not sure how he knew that. We were both employed by The Indianapolis Star. I worked days and he nights so we seldom saw each other. Still, the question l asked myself at the time when I heard what he was telling everyone was: “Whose fault is that?”
How much gusto one can squeeze out of life is up to the individual. If you aren’t enjoying life and getting the most out of it, how is that my responsibility?
In the community where I live there are tons of activities offered. A resident can be busy from dawn until dusk if he or she chooses, and many do. However, most of the scheduled events are not my thing. I tend to be very picky about how I spend my time. because I have a lot of books to write and not thirty or forty years left in which to accomplish my goals.
My lack of participation was the topic of a phone conversation I had with a new acquaintance the other day. Apparently, she thought my life lacked gusto.
“Listen, you’ve got to stop spending so much time writing and get out an enjoy yourself,” she said.
“I enjoy writing,” I responded.
“Yes, I know you do, but you have to take a break now and then. There’s so much to do here and you’re missing out.”
“I don’t think so,” I said. “As a matter of fact, none of the activities they offer here gives me as much pleasure as sitting in front of my computer writing.” Or spending time with my man. But that is a given.
There was silence on the other end of the phone. It was obvious she didn’t get it. Did I care? I must have cared a little bit because I agreed to skip writing today (except for this blog), have lunch with her, and play mahjongg.
Occasionally, I get pressured to do something that isn’t my first choice. But the older I get the more I realize the importance of living my life like the beer commercial. Why waste one second doing something that doesn’t interest me or give me joy.
The funny thing about that commercial is that shortly after it came out it was pulled and the Schlitz Brewing Company fell on hard times. It wasn’t that particular ad but some others the company was running that turned off customers. Think Bud Light.
Still, that crazy jingle still resonates with me. Go for it while there’s still time. That was also the topic of my most recent blog. I’m sensing a theme here. Enjoy, people.