All life has an arc. It begins. It exists. It ends.
My life has an arc. I know when it began. I exist now. I do not know when my life will end, though I know that someday it will. I hope it is many decades from now for the sake of my family and my purpose.
However, nothing is promised.
I close my eyes each night and drift to sleep in the faith that I will open my eyes the following day. So far, so good. I am lucky.
Many people don't like to talk or think about death. I don't mind it. In fact, I prefer it. It's not like I can hide from it. I'd just be ignoring an indisputable certainty and setting myself up to be unprepared for some of the most defining moments of my life.
Recognizing my mortality and reminding myself of its uncertain horizon is how I reconnect to my priority of daily discipline. Whether I'm riding first class or coach, doing something exciting or monotonous, full of optimistic energy or exhausted with frustration, at least I'm here experiencing it with a chance to apply discipline and define my life.
Rather than allow the awareness of your limited time here to freeze you with fear, use it to drive your daily discipline. Fill your days with effort worthy of the gift of life because one day, you won't have the opportunity to give the effort you can today.
The time is now. Do the work.
Share your thoughts