Papillon and the Meaning of Life (Maybe)

 

Papillon and the Meaning of Life (Maybe)

“Maybe.” The word Papillon said to Louis Degas in response to Degas’ statement, “ You know you will die.” before jumping off a cliff and riding a raft of coconuts to Venezuela. 

 One word. A simple answer. So why am I making so much of it?

Because to me, the answer to Degas’ assertion captures the meaning of life.

Maybe. Dying is not a maybe. We all will. The burning question that “maybe” inspires is how will we live? 

Maybe implies an unsure conclusion. RISK. RISK involves some courage to move forward where the result in not guaranteed or assured.

Maybe implies a mindset I call “Why not?” as opposed to “Why?”

Maybe is not something you always think consciously and carefully about. It is part of you and marks the agreement between your unconscious and conscious brain that maybe is enough to move forward.

Maybe has been the theme and logo of my life only I never understood it until recently. So much so that I will be authoring an autobiography “Papillon of Sheepshead Bay.”

Maybe I lost you. So now I will give you a few examples from the movie, the world and my life (To read more, you will have to wait for the book)

First, the next best quote from the movie: “Hey, you bastards, I’m still here.” Papillon has withstood all the blows and pain of living a “why not” life and not given up or compromised his principle under the incredible, inhumane pressure from the establishment.

The world is full of challenges, more now than ever before. While we are blessed with technology, we are cursed with its casting us off into anonymity. What the hell does that mean? Think about it: In the 1950’s our world of interaction was limited to who we could reach geographically. And the interaction was personal. Easy to deal with. Yes, no or maybe were easy to understand and negotiate.

Today, person to person activity is limited; most of our world and our information comes from our devices. So, then we were mano a mano with our competitor, foe or customer. Now we are an image on a screen, maybe as small as 6 inches. How do you get your point across on a 6-inch screen as opposed to the complete you?

Today, most people live according to what is provided and don’t have the courage to take their lives in another direction. Therefore, “maybe” and “why not?” are a much more difficult choice.

It is well documented that microplastics are posing a huge hazard for humanity and may be responsible for consequences way beyond biodegradability; they have even been associated with colon cancer and may be unavoidably present in what you eat. If I asked you to eliminate all plastic from your home and refuse it outside, would you do it? Could you do it? Why not?

Maybe you would risk some disapproval or disdain from others or some inconvenience. Why not do it for you? Understanding the importance, but that you are a tiny speck in a big sea, would that discourage or stop you from doing what is right?

Some examples of why not and maybe from my own life. 

Growing up in Sheepshead Bay/Coney Island areas of Brooklyn, I had lots of opportunities to test the Why Not philosophy with full understanding of the Maybe consequences:

When I was around thirteen, I had a burning desire to eat Calamari pasta with spicy tomato sauce. My parents were not interested. So, I convinced them to give me the money and set off to a local Italian joint named Carolinas by myself. Maybe I would get strange looks from the staff and other customers—I did—but the calamari pasta was memorable. I can still see and taste it many decades later. Why not?

Around the same time, my friends Stanley, Bruce and I chipped in some small money to buy a 25 hp outboard motor. After running it in a steel drum, I decide to give it a road test. I put it on the back of a rowboat and set off from Sheepshead Bay. Soon I found myself under the Verrazzano Bridge with huge vessels as companions. And, of course, the water was way too rough for a little boat with a little motor. 

Stupid? Maybe. Dangerous? For sure. Why not?

I remember watching the movie years ago, but I didn’t get its relevance to me until I watched it recently. Beyond my agreement with Papillon’s outlook and his decision, I was taken by his resilience and willingness to endure unimaginable suffering to preserve his principles and overcome the obstacles set for him; I realized that “Maybe” and “Why Not?” were my guiding light and summarized the course of my own life.

Now, years later, in the complex and discouraging world we face, I finally understand that goals are very challenging—no, a bitch-- to achieve and stick with; despite that, I want to shout, everyday: “I’m still here, you bastards.”

But—here’s the good part—I am finally happy.

Come follow my journey and relive the highs and lows with me. 20 countries, many years, a lot of great food. IF you do, you will surely understand that I consider my life a success, regardless of the shit times, and no matter how it ends. How I lived is most important.

i. There are questions and disputes about Henri Charriere’s (the true identity of the character in the 1973 movie) escape and life after escape. Those are of no consequence here. The motivating emotion is based on the events in the 1973 movie.

ii.