By Ahsan
“I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in a magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”
Jack London (American Novelist and Journalist)
In the grand scheme of things, the one certainty we all face is the reality that one day, we will no longer be here. Our life will be over and our time in this existence will end. Forever.
As daunting as this may sound, it can be this very realization that enhances our enjoyment, appreciation, and happiness in the time we still have left. After all, as the saying goes, "You can either worry and die, or be joyful and happy and die."
At the core of our existence, we all strive to be, do, and have things, but why? The simple answer is that we seek happiness. Not merely pleasure but true contentment and satisfaction. Underneath everything we pursue—whether it's a good job, graduation, or a lovely vacation—lies the desire to be happy. It's all about the pursuit of joy by living a life of meaning.
"Focus on simply being happy in this short life," as the saying goes. This is the most important realization we can have, as it is the key to unlocking a life filled with contentment and fulfillment. The good and bad thing about life is that it will end. It’s bad because we would like to keep doing things we enjoy doing. It’s also good because it means we can’t waste another moment on things that don’t bring us joy or move us forward to a meaningful life. We have to decide how to use our time.
When we focus on being happy, we free ourselves from the shackles of worry and allow ourselves to truly appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
As the philosopher Epicurus once said, "The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach."
But how do you do this and when will you?
It's time to shift our perspective and recognize that the path to happiness lies not in the external, but in the internal.
How do we do this? By cultivating gratitude and presence, we can savour the moments that make up this precious life. To quote a great actor, “Say thank you in advance for what’s already yours!” Denzel Washington
The realization that we will one day depart this world can be a powerful motivator to live each day to the fullest. As the saying goes, "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero," which translates to "Seize the day, put little trust in tomorrow."
By embracing this mindset, we can find joy in the simple pleasures, delight in the company of loved ones, and create lasting memories that will carry us through the fleeting nature of our existence.
Just like my recent conversation with my 88-year-old client. She was reminiscing about the busy time of life she had when her grandchildren were growing up and attending all of their hockey and dance events. And she said I loved every minute of it. You could hear sincere joy in her voice. She expressed sincere gratitude for the experiences in her life.
The realization that our lives are finite is not a burden, but a gift – a reminder to cherish each moment and to find the happiness that is waiting for you to discover! In the end, literally and metaphorically speaking, the choice is ours. We can either worry and let life pass us by, or we can be grateful, and joyful in order to make a positive impact with the time we have left.
Have An Awesome Day!
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