A Five Course Meal in Parallel

There is something that feels right about the sequential nature of a five-course meal. It's so orderly, and a nice if-then contingency is built in: first appetizer, then salad or soup, then main course, and so on. When Americans dine, the same if-then logic still applies, but in coarse form. Victuals are usually ingested in parallel with the exception of dessert which, if included, follows the dutiful consumption of what's good for you, including vegetables. To eat dessert, we must deserve our dessert. Parents and grandparents agree on that one. Do we make life choices by the same sequence—first what's necessary and, only then, what's enjoyable? Too often, yes. I'm a fan of the Puritan work ethic, but not at the expense of the fun stuff. The trouble with adhering to an unbridled work ethic is we run the risk of postponing pleasure indefinitely. Even worse, we can forget how to have fun. This is real, folks. People all around us place their noses to the grindstone for so long that when they look up they have no idea what else is out there. This helps to explain retirement or empty-nest angst, when middle-agers or retirees don't know what to do with their disposable time or income. A final point: joyful recreation often entails skill building, which is off-putting when arthritis looms along with anxieties about learning new tricks. Do not postpone dessert; instead, bring on all five courses. Now.