I'd rather live like Haydn.

Just thinking. Maybe I’m wrong in encouraging others  to slow the pace of their lives. Maybe it’s their nature. Maybe they sense the fast expiration of time. That they haven’t got much time left. That they will die young. Take Mozart. And Schubert. They composed an immense amount of beautiful and passionate music in lifetimes that lasted 30 and 35 years. Mozart was already composing at age 5 and 6. A musical genius, they say. But maybe Mozart knew he had to get off to a fast start. Because he had only so much time. He had to accomplish a lot. In his given time. A Haydn, meanwhile, had until his 80s. He could take his good-natured time. And yes, that accurately describes Haydn. Good-natured.  Relaxed.  Even-tempered. Good-humored. Yes, he was in no hurry. I’d rather live like Haydn. –Jim Broede