Chris Jepson: Where everybody knows your name

Growing-up, I was the lanky lad in the back of the room trying to blend into the wallpaper. “I like to watch, Eve,” was much more my philosophy. Hard as it is for some to imagine today, I was kind of a shy individual. But I realized that being out-of-sight (low profile) allowed for expeditious exits when “it” became even remotely tiresome. Alas, a lot of life is exactly that. Ah, maturity. Adulthood requires, rather, successful adulthood requires we navigate the “tiresome.”

The tiresome by any other name is humanity. The tedious rules (Badges! We don’t need no stinking badges!). The boring conversation(s). The time. The expectations. The commitment(s). The disappointments. Deal with people and as sure as the sun comes up tomorrow, so too, predictability, fatigue and ennui. That’s on one-hand, but on the other is everything we love about our species. Curious. Inquisitive. Imaginative. Intelligent. Original. Clever. Generous. Kind. Exotic. Erotic. Living (just being alive) has us all experiencing both the tiresome and the exquisite.

But you must be open to the new, the novel, the untried. One example: In 1976 I took a job with the University of Missouri that required I join a local Lions Club in Southern (almost Arkansas) Missouri. I raged against such an “institutional” requirement, such that my wife ultimately said, “Man-up and get off your butt down to those Wednesday luncheons.” Actually, she wasn’t that kind. But I ended-up absolutely loving the experience. Great men, one and all. I wouldn’t trade my two years as a Lion for anything less than a million bucks.

Another club worth joining, dear reader, is The University Club of Winter Park. Contrary to Groucho Marx’s admonition about refusing membership in any club that would have “you,” consider joining the University Club for two reasons: 1) friendship, and 2) intellectual stimulation. Isn’t that about 87.4 percent of what we want out of life? That you get both, well, whatta deal!

I have the luxury of speaking at The University Club, oh, about every six months or so. It’s a task I take on because it requires me to step out of my comfort zone as well as organize my thoughts on a specific subject. I had an English teacher once observe, “How will I know what I know until I write it down.” So true. I typically speak before the Humanities Group (an offshoot of the Philosophy Discussion Group), led by longtime friend Peggy Kraemer.

On March 12 I discussed the perspective of Greek philosopher Epicurus and the Roman writer Lucretius’ interpretation of his philosophy (“On The Nature of Things”). Consider me an advocate of his perspective. Yes, we all must return to The Garden (as envisioned by Epicurus).

The University Club of Winter Park makes friendship and the intellect possible, and available, too. Call Holly Milton of the University Club at 407-644-6149. She’ll give ya the skinny! It’s affordable. Stretch your boundaries. Stretch your mind. Do something good for yourself. Join today.