Timothy Leary

I did my drug and counter culture phase in the 1990s.  During that time I heard of Timothy Leary and got the gist of his message.  by that time he was 'old' and his message seemed dated.  Like I was a few decades too late.

Even younger, I heard about Timothy Leary through pop culture such as that lyric in a Beatles song that mentions his name and occasionally on the network news shows.  Back then, I could not grasp his motto, "Turn on, tune in and drop out".

So during and after my fore mentioned counter culture phase, I absorbed the tip of Leary's message and moved on, thinking there was nothing else to be heard from him.  In the late 90's, I heard of him again from time to time, especially right before his death and though "Man, this guy is still kicking it and pushing his life experiences, even as an old man."  

That is my perspective now.  I don't pretend to know much about him, but I respect him for always living as purposefully as he could.  some folks that gain fame or top of their field are content to just fade quietly, away.  Not this guy, he just kept making his life happen and pursuing things that interested him.  

I guess I have the same respect for artists/performers like the Rolling Stones.  I like their early music and even some of the 80s stuff I would hear on the radio when I was a kid.  Haven't paid attention to their music since then.  But I respect that these guys, old men that they are, are still out there kickin' it.  They are living their lives, playing their music, performing their concerts.  

I only hope that I can live as deliberately as Timothy Leary.  Especially with my responsibilities of fatherhood.

Some nice photos of Timothy Leary's archives:

http://news.cnet.com/2300-10797_3-10000319-1.html?tag=mncol