Embracing impermanence
These last few months I have been reminded repeatedly of the impermanence of life…and everything in it. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Accepting impermanence makes every moment more precious, every experience more noteworthy.
What if we treated each encounter with another living being as if it would be our last contact? What if we looked at the beauty of each sunrise or sunset as if it would be our final glimpse? What if we savored each bite of food as if it would be the final taste? Would we be more present in the moment? Would we give each of our senses the proper attention?
If you could find a way to live forever, how much do you think you would get done? A lot? Actually, probably not much…because there would always be tomorrow. Talk about an opportunity for procrastination!
If you knew you would never die, would your joy be multiplied? Probably not. Overabundance always lowers the value of things, including time.
When we accept the fact that life, and everything in it, is temporary, it becomes more precious.
What is it about your life in this very moment that you value most? Can you stop and appreciate that?
Is there something you can do to bring more of what you value into your life?
Let’s embrace impermanence.
Your turn
- What can you savor about this very moment?
- If you knew you only had 30 days to live, what three things would you be sure to do?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
This is yet again, a post which resonates for me too Christie. I love where our learning is taking us.
I have my link up open if you wish to add your post but understand if you would prefer not to.
Hope you are going OK…..
Denyse,
Thank you, Denyse. I did link up. Thanks for providing this place for us to connect.
We are doing well, still getting use to the absence of our mother and another close friend who also recently passed…sharing memories and savoring their love.
Hi Christie – I’ve been reading some fantasy novels lately where the characters have lived for hundreds of years. It seems a bit tedious to me for some reason, and I think it’s because we have such a limited lifespan that we appreciate all that we have even more. I’m also noticing it now that I’m in the second half of life – the years are zooming by and I want to make the most of my friends and family – and living a life of quality and substance. Impermanence isn’t a bad thing IMHO. 🙂
Hello Leanne. As much as I want to enjoy this life to its fullest, I agree that hundreds of years sounds exhausting. I definitely agree that knowing our time here is limited helps us make the most of what we have and appreciate it more.
Since my younger sister died, I have become so conscious of the impermanence to which you refer. Knowing that life and all things in it are temporary and cannot be taken for granted does seem to heighten awareness but by the same token can drive me crazy as I rush headlong into doing too much or sit back, try to chill and find myself overfilling with the observations of what’s going on around, however simple; insects humming, grass swaying. One day I’ll find a balance I suppose but in the meantime I savour every moment, whether mundane or novel, and just appreciate the fact that for the present I can whilst trying not to dwell on the fact that there were others who now can’t.
It is complex, isn’t it, Caree? My younger brother died suddenly and that really kicked my awareness in gear. As you point out, it can create some contradicting desires. I think savoring the moment is the key, and if there are things you truly want to do, choose one and start working towards accomplishing that.
Such important reflections here, Christie! You’re spot on with the fact that if we had everything in abundance we wouldn’t value it as much. I’m close to 50 and I’ve just recently started creating the life I want… I’m getting closer and I’m enjoying the process. In this moment I’m enjoying a Kilbeggan whiskey and I’m working on a graphic design project – the latter is part of the course I’m doing that will hopefully help me get the career I’ve been dreaming of. I should have done this earlier but 50 is still young!
If I had only 30 days to live? I would go to Sweden to see my mother and have a good late-night chat or two, or three, and see my sister, and friends I haven’t been able to see for a long time. I would go to Northern Ireland to try as many Lowden guitars as possible. And I would find a wonderful nature spot for a good walk in the forest.
For more value in my life… I’m doing it. I’ve decided to ditch some projects that stole my time and energy… I’m attending the course that will make me more confident to start my dream career… and with those said projects out of the way I’ll be able to make more time for music, which is my main source for quality of life. I can’t control what happens along the way but I can control how I use my time.
Good for you, Susanne. I admire you going for your goal at any age…and you’re right, 50 is still young! Prioritizing your time and energy is key. I hope you are making plans for trips to Sweden and Northern Ireland in the not-too-distant future.
Hi Christie, I enjoyed your thoughtful and insightful post where you posed some interesting questions! Thanks for sharing with us and those quotes are perfect at showing us what we have now and to make the most of them. 🙂
Hello Debbie. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
As someone who has had a lot to learn over the years about this, this post has really spoken to me. Christie, as we have already said, we are on some learning journey that is quite similar. Love the learning and the lessons too.
So good to have you link up this week for Wednesday’s Words and Pics Link Up.
Looking forward to connecting with you more again soon.
It’s a weekly link up and I know it’s still new getting used to Wednesdays!
I am grateful for your presence as a blogger and one who enjoys the connections we make.
Warmest wishes,
Denyse.
Thank you for the kind words, Denyse. I am looking forward to the connections through Wednesday’s Words and Pics Link Up. Thank you for providing the opportunity.
What can you savor about this very moment?
I’m enjoying the bright sunshine and the cool breeze that is wafting into this room. Plus I got to use the word “waft” and that is something to savor as well.
If you knew you only had 30 days to live, what three things would you be sure to do?
1) I’d make sure my will and finances were in order because I wouldn’t want anyone else to have to deal with that after I’m gone;
2) I’d spend all my time with my husband reminiscing and laughing about our time together.
3) I’d get outside into nature, going for walks, snapping photos, eating picnics, drinking adult beverages, communing with the great beyond.
What else is on your mind? I like the quote Nhat Nanh quote very much. Thanks for sharing it here, I’ll be musing on it today.
Waft is a delightful savoring word, Ally. Now I am enjoying it as well. Thank you for that. I hope you can find ways to incorporate elements of your three things in the coming days. Perhaps you can spend time with your husband on a picnic drinking adult beverages writing a will. ?
Perfect plan, thanks ?
Hi Christie for me I have moved house quite often in my life so in some ways my life has mostly been around the now and an air of impermanence. I’m loving our latest move to be closer to family and friends. I’m enjoying being 4 minutes from my daughter which means we can run together regularly and also allows more time with my grandsons.x
Hello Sue. How wonderful that you are living so close to your daughter and grandson now. We have been blessed with having our children nearby, and it is such a joy.
Impermanence-there’s a word I need to make friends with. I know everything in this post is true, and I need to accept it and even embrace it as a reminder to enjoy every second. I often struggle with letting go and moving on. I have so much to be joyful about here and now, so thanks for the reminder. ❤️
I also have struggled with clinging to things as they are and not wanting to accept change. Embracing impermanence is an ongoing journey, but I do think I’m making progress.
Sometimes I wonder if just living every day (enjoying the little things like sunlight on the water, reading an interesting book, having fun at cardio class) is enough. I really do not think it’s the 3 things to do if I only had 30 days to live. I do however, make it a point to tell people I love them, appreciate them. And since many things in my retirement have been temporary (snowbird and 2 homes, LLC consulting, even my Zoom Zumba), I’ve become a bit better with accepting impermanence.
I go back and forth, Pat, between focusing on small daily pleasures and thinking I should be doing something more. I certainly don’t have the answer. I know if I had 30 days to live I would spend time with those I love and make sure they know how I feel about them. I do pretty well at that, but could do better. Also, I would put more effort into making sure all of my affairs are in order, particularly ensuring that my children know where everything is and that they don’t have to deal with all the clutter I currently own. Oh yeah…and I’d cancel my colonoscopy and dental appointments!