/03 The Ones Before You

We all know we have a limited amount of time on this planet, yet we play so carelessly with that time. In the face of those who are sick, and the dead, we take for granted what we have and what we are still capable of.

We find distractions, we convince ourselves that we will live to see tomorrow, and none of this is a promise that we can keep to ourselves—yet we continue to do it.

If you had been given 6 months to live, how would you live differently?

Would you still complain about the things going on in your life?

Would you hold the same grudges, or be concerned about approaching people you know you could make amends with?

Would you keep creating reasons why you cannot do something, serving a self-limiting argument?

I look at a sea of graves, tombstones tracing the hillsides and landscapes, and I think to myself—all of them were here, just like us. Some had a substantial amount of time, others had that time cut short, and some never had a chance to truly live at all.

The oldest of these gravesites date back to the late 1700s–1800s. They don't see visitors like they used to. Names worn down not by mistreatment, but by time itself. The newer graves have people regularly leaving gifts, memories, and conversations.

As time decays and evolves the world we live in, that world changes and shapes to the ones who walk its surface the most. This is their time, and we all had our own.

It's not about shunning the idea of death and transformation. Nor is it about covering up the human experience with the bias of positivity and happiness. It's about acknowledging the idea of our own mortality, and not taking for granted the gift of this experience.

As I write this, I can't help but think—every click of this keyboard matches a heartbeat passing, to put this thought out into the world.

What does your heartbeat match?

What do you want to do before it's all over?

What life can you look back on and be content with?

The fact that you are here, now—is that not enough?

You have time, and you have no idea how much.

What will you do?

Why are you waiting?

Through living, and being, we find our way.

The ones who came before you—most lived this experience as well.

The question is, were they content before time ran out?

Find your peace.