The difference

When someone is made privy to the knowledge that something they love, be it a relationship or themselves, is going to be coming to an end in the foreseeable future there are two basic reactions that they can take. The first, which most of us are guilty of, is deep regret and sorrow. Take, for example, the line from Fight Club, "This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time." Most people find this a very depressing thought, that slowly their life, and everything they know and love, is slowly but surely approaching an end. The other possible reaction, as far as I can see, is happiness. You may be wondering how anyone of sound mind can possibly find such an idea to be anything but depress, and I admit that some of those who would find comfort in the idea that their life is ending are likely to be overwhelmingly depressed. However, it is possible for a sane person (at least I should hope I am a sane person, at least relatively) to find a measure of happiness in the knowledge of an impending end. If I were to find out that I would be meeting my end 5 years from now, I would find it as an excuse to never do anything that I found unpleasant. I would truly be alive; I would travel everywhere I've ever wanted; I would have motivation to do all the things I've ever wanted to. The same would be true if my timeframe were more limited as well, say the end of next summer, or even next week. But in the extremely short timeframe of a week I wouldn't be able to accomplish nearly as much, so I would be quite sad, but not nearly as sad as if I hadn't known it was coming, or if I had given up on living as soon as I found out.

My point in all of this is that we are so rarely given the blessing of knowing when everything is going to end, and so we go about living under the illusion that we are going to live forever. I say open your eyes, life is beautiful! Live life like each day is your last, and make plans like it is never going to end (I think that line belongs to james dean?). Go out and enjoy what you have while you can, and do it wearing a smile!

I got new music: "Christabel and the Jons: Love & Circumstances" What a wonderful album! Since it is such a beautiful sunny day, I'm going to go enjoy it!




Mr. T
"I pity the fool"