eja_ bottecchia

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself. - Oscar Wilde

Go get that bike that you have been longing for, or take that trip that you have always wanted to take; undertake the adventure of your life before time runs out.

Peace and love!

Biker395 

I approve this message.

My wife? Probably not so much. lol

deaninkl

I have learned that I am weak..... I give in to temptation... so I have learned to avoid the possibility of temptation... I can't go into a bar and drink one beer.... but I can easily walk past a bar..... I don't buy chocolate else I'd eat it in one day.... I don't go into bike shops... I instead love cleaning and playing with what I have... and I rarely buy new.. learning that others give in to temptation much easier than me then sell their hardly used £2k toy after a year for 600.....

Nope, temptation I can not so no too.... but I can cross the road and avoid her.... she is mighty cute though..

eja_ bottecchia

If your wife was honest about it, she probably have a few temptations of her own.

Life is short, enjoy it.

eja_ bottecchia

Temptation takes many forms my friend.

eja_ bottecchia

An explanation might be helpful.

This weekend I turn 61. Except for a couple of health scares I am in generally good health, my mind is still sharp (some might argue the point) and physically I can do some things better than I did 20 years ago (others not so good, regrettably).

My parents both worked very hard to build a business and they were more successful than they expected, especially considering that they got a late start at it (we are immigrants).

My Mom always spoke about traveling to France and Spain, especially Paris.

My Mom passed away a few years ago, at age seventy-five, from complications resulting from diabetes. She never got to see Spain, or France or her beloved (at least in her heart) Paris. In the days before she passed on, when she knew the end was coming, she made me promise that I would take that trip that she was never able to take.

The take away from this, and the lesson to be learned, is that sometimes it is OK to yield to temptation and treat yourself to that one thing you heart yearns for.

deaninkl

Indeed she is in many forms, you are telling a guy that has 7 guitars, 3 motorbikes, is overweight and lives in S E Asia.... luckily still only one bicycle.... temptation is all around me... I am lucky just to get home some days....😜

Wildwood 

Who really knows what tomorrow brings, maybe new direction......

rumrunn6

reminds me of this: "at the end of your life, it's not the things you've done that you'll regret, it's the things you didn't do"

1989Pre 

TimothyH

This is utter nonsense.

Satisfying every urge will only lead to more.

To quote that on Good Friday is disgusting.


-Tim-

eja_ bottecchia

I don't know whether your post reply is tongue in cheek or not.

If tongue in cheek--good one.

If you are serious-- piss off.

eja_ bottecchia

Exactly my point!

rydabent

Most old people say they are more sorry for what they didnt do than sorry for what they did.

wphamilton

By temptation do we mean it in the colloquial sense as a choice which is not particularly harmful? Or in the literal sense of an urge to a wrongful action?

If the latter, I strongly agree with @TimothyH that Oscar Wilde's quote, while clever, was superficial and wrong-headed. Character is strengthened when exercised, and the sad reality is that those who succumb become weaker with every failure. If we're talking about the former however, I am reminded of Robert Herrick "To the Virgins" - gather your rosebuds while you may. Don't waste time, grab life with both hands and wring every drop out of it.

rando_couche

To borrow a line from Dr Who, "We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one."

Biker395 

That's really it, I think. "Temptation" is a loaded word, implying a desire for something that is morally wrong or unwise by some measure. When I think of temptation, bikes are not what come to mind ... and trust me ... my wife would not approve.

But that's kinda mincing words. With regard to the stuff EB was referring to, he is absolutely right. If something is important to you (whether it be a possession, having an experience, getting a credential ... whatever), GO OR IT while you can. And the same applies to your spouse. If it's important to them, it should be important to you.

Biker395 

True dat.

Question ... have you taken that trip to Paris yet?

eja_ bottecchia

Alas not yet. I had a health issue earlier this year and I want to make sure that all systems are go before I take the trip.

eja_ bottecchia

That's exactly how I see things (especially now).

eja_ bottecchia

Except for some religions, "temptation" is, or should be, a content-neutral word.

Oscar Wilde knew a thing or two about temptation. He was sentenced to two years hard labor for giving in to his temptaion: "the love that no one dare speak."

Regardless of one's thoughts in the matter, to sentence a person to two years hard labor for doing something that is truly no one's business, is reprehensible and, by itself, immoral.

In the context of my post, however, temptation has a more benign meaning. Simply put, every day of our lives we deny ourselves simple (or not so simple) pleasures. These constant denials have a corrosive and detrimental effect on our spirit and soul.

Incidentally temptation and addiction should not be confused (you did not, I am just making the point).

Here is the world-wide authority on temptaion (Wikipedia):

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temptation

Finally, to again quote Wilde,

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people merely exist."

Live, even if it means ocassionally giving in to temptation. Don't just exist.

StanSeven

Let's watch that kind of response, please.

Biker395 

We went there some years ago with my son's marching band. I was told how rude and obnoxious the Parisians were, so I was expecting the worst.

Oh, contrare! I found them quite friendly, and had a great time. Paris is a great city.

When you go, be sure to see the Montmarte district. Awesome.

BTW: My wife is the one that insists on our foreign travels. We've been to New Zealand (), Patagonia (), Austraila (), most of Italy (, especially my grandparents hometown in the mountains of Sicily), and a good chunk of Eastern Europe. Go while you're young enough to enjoy it!

eja_ bottecchia

Understood, but the person to whom my response was addressed tempted my cherub-like demeanor (see what I did there) by calling my post "disgusting" and by trying to superimpose his religious believes on the discussion by referring to the fact that today is Good Friday.

Siu Blue Wind

Every Friday is good, doesn't everyone think so?