“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” – Steve Jobs
Tell me, why are you here and what’s the point of it all?
When we take a break from our routines and think about the meaning of our existence, there will never be a universal answer that everyone will agree on. Thus, many of us look to religion, science, conspiracy theories, and more for answers.
If you can’t seem to put a finger on it, then don’t worry…Nobody else can either.
Although it’s impossible for us to agree on the point of our existence, there is something that we all can agree on and it’s that we’re all going to die.
I know right.
Death is no walk in the park, and it’s scary to think about.
Whenever I’m watching a movie and a scene with a funeral comes up, I start having an existential crisis. I would begin to question how I want to leave my legacy when I’m gone, and I’d freeze in my thoughts regarding the notion that I won’t be here one day.
To be honest, I’m still scared of my death, and I don’t think this fear will ever go away.
Enter Alan Watts.
This British philosopher is known for his unconventional views on topics such as existentialism, absurdism, and more. According to Watts, the meaning of life is to simply be alive and coming to that understanding will allow one to overcome his or her fear of dying:
“Without birth and death, and without the perpetual transmutation of all the forms of life, the world would be static, rhythm-less, undancing, mummified.”
He believes that our death should be celebrated rather than dreaded in order to live life as intended, and although at first glance you might have your own existential crisis, something positive will come out of doing this nonetheless.
Accepting the notion that our lives are finite will force us to examine how we use the limited time that we have.
Mark Manson, one of my favorite authors and bloggers, really started to make me think when he brought up this question:
“If you had only one more year to live, how would you spend your time?”
We’d all spend our time much differently than we do now, as we would want to travel the world and experience more things, but the fact that there exists a distinction between what we’re doing with our lives now and what we would do with a shorter timeline is a problem in my book.
Why couldn’t we just say that nothing would change?
That we’re already living life to the fullest?
In the past, I was putting all of the things I actually wanted to do on hold. I first had to get a job as a X, make Y dollars per year, retire at age Z, etc. before I could start enjoying my life…But this isn’t an ideal way to live: who knows what’s going to happen in the future? Shit happens all of the time and even tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
I’m aware that we all have obligations to fulfill, whether it’s a job we have or maybe we’re still in school, but is this a valid excuse to avoid trying to make our dreams a reality?
I used to think that it was, but I’m slowly coming to understand that it’s not…
It never was.
This is why it’s necessary for you to squeeze every last drop out of life now. When you’re on your deathbed, you aren’t going to be thinking about the number of 0’s in your bank account: you’ll be reflecting on the positive memories you’ve accumulated.
The positive experiences you made with people you cared about: people who you love.
This changed everything for me.
It sharpens the sword I use to battle my demons and it adds more meaning to my existence.
And now, I look at death in the eyes and smile.
JL