Quixotic

Quixotic: I ran across that word three times in my reading last week and once on the radio. Unusual. The first time I saw the word was in a general reference to cycling any distance further than a mile or two around the neighborhood. Odd idea, for that to be quixotic, but I didn’t dwell.

By the third time I saw the word it was describing women in their 40’s and said that being quixotic was “often in detriment to their health”. Well, I am a woman in her 40’s, and the health comment in particular puzzled me, so I looked it up just to make sure I actually remembered the definition of the stereotype with which this author was labeling me. According to Merriam Webster’s online dictionary it means “foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals ; especially : marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action”…or like Don Quixote.

I can think of some ways that a pursuit of ideals might be detrimental to one’s health, but all of the ways I can imagine involve excess or enemies. Dad was in his 40’s when Mom nick-named him Don Quixote and teased him about jousting windmills, but I still wonder if the pursuit of lofty ideals is indicative of an age based desire.  I agree that a quest could be more likely for someone in their forties, and maybe they are thinking mid-life thoughts, but it could really happen any time and the desire for a quest? Well, I have had that since I was old enough to understand the concept and no one needs freedom or the right timing to dream the impossible dream.

I’ve seen so many assessments and generalizations of what I, as a woman in her forties, want from life. I find some of them appallingly off the mark, even offensive. It feels like too many people are looking too hard and still not seeing. On the whole, I guess I’m fairly comfortable with this one, though. There is a little part of me that hums in synchronicity when I hear Man of La Mancha or Dulcinea. I felt that music deeply in my teens 20s and 30s though, and my plan is to still be humming when I am 50, 70 and 90 or more.

And, BTW, if you want to see a sappy, but inspiring old clip from Gomer Pyle USMC, an Andy Griffith Show spin-off from the early days of color TV, watch this. It’s hokey and dated. It also reminds you what’s important about life and makes you want to live up to it.

My other favorite versions of the impossible dream are Peter O’Toole from the movie, and more recently, Josh Groban.

Until next time, have an impossibly glorious day, and we’ll see you on the trail.

updated 9/24