We're all moving in the same direction; All of us, no matter whether we want to be or not. Each and every day we move a little closer to the final destination, with the inexorable turning of the clock it get's closer, and no amount of hoping or wishing will slow it down or reverse it. Quite simply time carries us forward, all of us, and there's no stopping it.
It's not all bad though, right? I mean we have developed into who we are today, right at this moment, through the passage of time and the experiences gained along the way. We learned to walk and talk, to reason and logic, to love and respect and many other useful things together with less productive ones like hate, prejudice, greed and ego. Still, no matter what each of us learned we will all end up in the same destination no matter if we are kings, paupers or even both throughout the course of our lives. We are born and from that point all head in the same direction...Towards death.
Here's the thing though...We get to live life along the way. We get to make choices that provide us with positive, uplifting and enjoyable moments or the hurtful, negative moments most of us experience throughout life as well. It just sort of comes with the territory I guess. Good and bad. It's the journey of life that is the true prize though because the destination only offers a lights out scenario as far as anyone really knows. Sure, some believe in some sort of hereafter however I'm yet to meet anyone who has been there and come back to talk about it so for me I sort of subscribe to the lights out thing. That's the motivation I use to make sure I live the best version of my life possible, each day, and try to be the best version of myself also.
The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.
Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote that. I think by direction he didn't mean the final destination of death, more the direction a person's attitude and actions can lead; To good (positive) things or to bad (negative) things. It sort of hints that things can change in life, dependant upon our own attitude.
I believe it is important for a person to understand that they have a finite period of time available to them on this planet and that life, (time) will not slow for them. The journey of our lives really only leads in one direction however within that journey is the opportunity to experience amazing moments, to be the best version of ourselves and to create a life that allows us to hold no, or very few, regrets down the track.
I don't know what is right for anyone. I mean, I sometimes struggle to know what is right for myself so I'm hardly the person to speak for others. Thinking about what those who came before us, those that have passed away, might tell us if they could is an interesting proposition though. I think they would tell us to live life to the fullest, to design it the best we know how and to remember that ego and hubris have no true value. I think they would tell us to laugh more often, to look inwardly as much as outwardly and to be humble and kind. I think they would tell us to do these things now, whilst we can because death comes for us all, and most of us never knows when the reaper will come calling. That's what I think they'd say.
Yes that's life we are all moving to the end and let's live it the best we can.
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I think the final destination of non-existence is actually a good thing. It might not be a conscious experience but it lacks suffering or hardship of any kind - there are certain experiences that are much worse than non-existence, and many of us have experienced things like that in our lives.
I acquired peace and I feel like I grew wiser when I realized that non-existence for everyone, and everything, is actually better than the happiness we experience.. if that happiness is coupled with an equal or greater amount of suffering.
And this is some of what I meant when I said "Life always wins". @galenkp. It's okay to strive and do our best, but to actually believe that we can fight life and win is nothing but shortsighted.
All gains are temporary, and if we understand that.. we won't suffer as much as we approach the final loss of non-existence.
Interesting viewpoint, but I think its worth noting that this theory of "death as nothingness", is itself unproven and untestable.
And the tricky bit about that is this, to assume the end brings relief from pain is to presuppose afterlife doesn't leave room for spiritual suffering...
The Christian ideal is that all mankind is made in the image of God, and that therefore our essence is infinite. And we therefore are either to be infinitely joyous and fulfilled, with God, or we choose disconnect and seperation from God and all that entails.
Not the happiest thought I know but, its food for thought.
I tend to focus more on living than dying and what happens afterwards. If I end up in Dante's seven levels of hell then I'll deal with it at that stage. I've seen enough death in my time to understand that life is what we have right now.
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I know this is cheesy, but your post really hit me. It’s nice to have reminders like this and I believe what you are talking about is honor. Our collective deeds, attitude, and behavior guide the direction of our lives. Once we accept to live a good life, most of the time we do. In today's world, this is harder and harder but we can be better!
Now I will share my favorite Oliver Wendell Holmes quote:
”We have shared the incommunicable experience of war. We have felt, we still feel the passion of life to its top. In our youths, our hearts were touched with fire.”
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I'm glad you get it. Yes, honour is certainly another of those qualities that bring a depth of quality to life I think. Many these days don't find value in it though. All these things, honour, humility, kindness and the rest...They are what makes the journey of life valuable. I get so much value and benefit from listening to other people, learning from their experiences, attitudes and ethos. I'm pleased this post struck a chord with you.
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Very thoughtful post.
It strikes me though, despite your doubts, if there is a hereafter (which I believe), than as CS Lewis suggests, celebrating, "the journey of life" as the "true prize", is a mistake.
Akin to playing in mud puddles, instead of enjoying a travel and holidays at sea.
"We are half hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are too easily pleased."
What if joy, and pain, is just a pointer?
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Well I guess we'll all find out at some stage as we will all die.
I don't think living ones best version of life could ever be a mistake though. We are here, not anywhere else, and so one might as well be their best version and live their best life. I don't believe that celebrating the journey of life could ever be a mistake and for those that do believe it well, they are free to leave...The world is overpopulated as it is...Better they check out and leave more room for those who value life.
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Oh I dont disagree that there is a lot of lets call it value in the journey we all walk, as in the little things or the "moment".
I guess I just wanted to push a little to challenege the idea that maybe there is something more than what first appears.
Thanks for the reply. I enjoyed your post.
:)
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I'd like there to be something after I die. A place where there's no government taxes, burgers are good for you and no one takes duckface selfies...
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Hahahaha mmm like a really good burger with bbq flame grilled, and crispy thick bacon and a brioche bun! :)
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Grrat write up you have made on this
I often recall the saying that it is not about the destination but instead the journey! We often forget to enjoy it along the way as the destination can often come too soon!
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Yes, agreed. Many don't though I guess. Oh well, they'll have to deal with the consequences I guess, not us.
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Pondering death always sends me into deep thought.
Everyone's eventual caravan.