Pondered Thoughts: Regarding the Precarious Nature of Life
You live as if you were meant to live forever; not once does the notion of your weakness ever cross your mind, and you pay no attention to the amount of time that has already passed. Even when the day you give to someone or something may be your last, you waste time as if there were an endless supply available.
~Seneca
Daily reflection on the fact that the amount of time we have in this life is finite would be beneficial. The vast majority of us try to avoid thinking about it because it either makes us anxious or depressed when we do. However, this is a profound way to think about things.
I’d like to take some time today to discuss some thoughts that I’ve had recently that pertain to the brevity of life and the significance they have for me.
1:
We may choose to overlook the extremely short nature of our existence and take it for granted, and then, at the end of our lives, we can be filled with regret because we didn’t make better use of the time we had here.
We might also become aware of the limited amount of time we have left here and make the choice to make the most of it.
If I had realized that the last time my dad came to see me would be the final time I would have seen him, I would have treasured those days even more.
Keeping this in mind allows me to make the most of the time I have left with the people, and especially myself, who are important to me.
2:
We may worry about the finite character of our lives, get depressed about it, or completely break apart as a result of it. We act in such a manner because we think there ought to be another approach.
But this is just another example of why we should not take what we have been given for granted.
Instead, we should give this precious gift our full attention and gratitude. Do you interrogate the giver about the scarcity of a present that’s extraordinarily kind to you by asking them why there’s so little of it?
Or do you feel grateful for what has been bestowed upon you?
Would it be possible for us to see each and every day as a precious, potent, and joyful gift?
3:
The present day is often wasted by our preoccupation with or daydreaming about the days to come. As a result, we are unable to fully appreciate the present moment.
That’s the same as daydreaming about your next meal while you’re enjoying the one you’re now eating. You are unable to take pleasure in the food that you are now eating.
What if we had the ability to relish the day in which we found ourselves?
4:
It’s a common misconception that life is “short,” but this is really just a value judgment based on the fact that we desire more. On the other hand, life has its limits. Although it is a finite resource, there is no reason for us to whine about how little we have of it.
This is analogous to a theatrical performer who, upon finally getting the opportunity to perform, spends the whole time complaining because he only gets one scene.
Hey bozo! Get the most out of the one scene you have! Use the resources you have to make a difference.
5:
Do we really wish to spend the short amount of time that we have forcing ourselves to work hard in order to achieve the goals that we believe we should achieve? Do we want to go through it feeling uninspired?
What if we were able to live a life that was full of wonder, pleasure, and love—a life in which we were totally alive?
Do we want to have a rowdy good time, or do we want to spend the hour that we have at the playground trying to make sure that we are riding the merry-go-round in the proper manner?
6:
Do we really want to spend the short time we have on earth continuously worrying about ourselves, whether or not we are doing things right, what other people think of us, and whether or not we are liked and respected?
This is like enjoying a beautiful sunset while simultaneously fretting about whether or not the lighting is flattering enough for you to take a good selfie.
What if, for a little while, we were able to forget about how we appear, how we come across, and whether or not we are doing OK and instead embraced the beauty of the spectacular sunset that was in front of us?
Even more so, what would it be like to love everything—every other person, everything, ourselves included—as well as everything else?
7:
When we face adversity in our lives, we automatically assume that something is wrong and that we shouldn’t have to face problems.
And it could seem as if we have no choice but to work through these challenges before we can even begin to live the life we want for ourselves.
What if the challenges were an integral part of the purpose of the little amount of time we have to live? The challenges we face are what shape us, drive our development and learning, and allow us to mature into our whole selves.
The difficulties are not something we need to get through; rather, they constitute a significant component of the item itself.
Could we look at our life as a crucible—one that helps us become who we truly are and one that helps us discover who we are? And do you welcome the challenges as a wondrous location to expand your knowledge and sense of wonder?
8:
It’s possible that we’ve all asked ourselves, at some point in our lives, “What is the significance of this brief life?” “What is the goal of it all?”
It’s almost as if we’re waiting for someone to explain everything to us and tell us, “Here’s what it’s about; jot this down,” or anything along those lines. It is our nature to search for solutions in other places than inside ourselves.
Imagine for a moment that we were the ones who gave purpose to our own lives. What if there was nobody to explain the meaning to us, and there wouldn’t be any meaning until we came up with it on our own?
This is a readiness to assume complete responsibility for our lives, which is always available and may be stepped into at any given time.
It is the equivalent of waiting and expecting to be entertained with something worthwhile while sitting in front of a stage that is completely empty. Let’s take the stage and write the meaningful drama ourselves, shall we?
9:
When we realize how fleeting our lives are and begin to completely appreciate the beauty that is contained within the little amount of time that we have been granted, A poignant aspect may sometimes be seen in life. And I must say, this is stunning.
The concept that all things are temporary and fleeting is referred to as “mono no aware” in Japanese. This is a word that the Japanese have coined.
It’s so lovely, yet there’s also a trace of melancholy about it, since everything that matters to us is both ephemeral and beautiful. The fact that things are temporary only serves to increase their value.
If you were able to consume an infinite amount of a tasty pleasure, you might begin to take it for granted.
If, however, you were aware that you could only taste this for a short period of time and that it would soon be gone, you could be able to appreciate the delectable quality of the delicacy with a heightened sense of awareness.
More delight. More wonder.
10:
What is it that you sense you are supposed to accomplish with this wonderful day?
Tell me: What else do you think I should have done in the situation?
Doesn’t everything eventually perish, and usually far too soon?
What are some of the things you have planned for the future?
How will you spend your one and only valuable life?
Mary Oliver
The Summer Day
