Getting older
Yes, it's inevitable. It's the only fight out there you can't win. The fix was put in the day you took your first breath. You can't fight the inevitable. Life is temporary. The only constant is change, death, and time moving onward.
Don't be bummed out! This isn't a piece on the futility of life. It's quite the opposite. Why am I writing about death? I am writing about death, because my birthday is this month. Yessir, yours truly is getting another year older. We tend to focus in on mortality when time is demarcated, i.e. a birthday. New Years also does this for me. I think I started this blog on New Years...
In the training of martial arts we heed the teachings of Bushido. Samurai had a very intimate relationship with death. They kept it close like a dear old friend. Every morning started with a meditation on death. So, when it comes they would be ready.
I use this time to focus in on mindset. Theology is a great tool as well, but I prefer to speak more generally. Death is sad. Death is also opportunity. Death is, in some part, how we frame it. So, how do I frame another year on this spinning orb? How do I come to terms with one year less of existing? I reframe what many consider the ultimate tragedy. Sure, it's partly still tragic. It's also a reality. It's one we have to come to terms with whether we like it or not.
I think about the finite amount of time we have as a reminder. It reminds us of how small we are compared to the cosmos. It also helps us realize that material things are not that important. We need material things, because we are material beings. How much do we need though? We need a lot less than we think.
Maybe, it also highlights how precious we are in this chain of life. We can make life on Earth a Heaven or a Hell. We have the power to sculpt and manifest things. If you have kids you have the power to be a real influence in their life. If you have a partner then you can help them grow and evolve. If you are part of a team then you can be a priceless asset.
We have the power to tip the future for the better. The life we are granted is an opportunity. It doesn't last forever. It can be used to help the future flourish. If you love something then you want to see it flourish.
So, meditate on death. Think about the indeterminate amount of time you have. Ask yourself some serious questions. What do we value? What do we need? What do we love? How will we accomplish our goals?
Our life may be finite, but our impact echoes throughout infinity. We are inextricably connected in this web of existence. Death is only a state of being. We are infinite in our influence.
So, Happy Birthday to me! I'll make sure to enjoy a slice of cake, have a black coffee and mediate on death.