Isn’t it a profound miracle that a collection of atoms and molecules, once scattered across the cosmos, have come together to form a conscious being—me? A body with a mind capable of wonder, sorrow, joy, and love, and perceiving the world.
Granted, we understand some of the biological processes involved, such as how the fusion of two cells, guided by the intricate code of DNA, creates a new life that blossoms into a fully grown baby. We also know something about how millions of years of evolution have honed this code, and how atoms and molecules, born from cosmic energy, form the building blocks of life, and the world. Yet, is not it a truly magical mystery that this ephemeral existence is possible?
For a fleeting moment, I exist in this world, only to dissolve back into its elements. Then it will disintegrate, lost to the sky, the earth, or the sea, or – at least for some of it – to reassemble into another being. Yet, within this brief lifespan, I am capable of experiencing the universe, of feeling its beauty and pain. What greater purpose could there be than to celebrate this extraordinary existence?
I often marvel at the tourists who visit my city. With childlike wonder, they gaze upon buildings and trees that I, a daily commuter, have long taken for granted. They seem to savor every moment, knowing they have a flight to catch. Perhaps this awareness of impermanence allows them to truly appreciate the beauty of the ordinary.
Are we not transient visitors to this grand universe, with limited time to experience its wonders? Our existence is but a fleeting breath in the cosmic wind. Can we justify wasting a single moment of that?
Yet, we are caught in a relentless cycle of work, consume, and repeat. One day is gone to find the resources to live for another day. The days blur into weeks, the weeks into months, and the months into years. We become so engrossed in the mundane that we forget to savor the preciousness of each moment. Often, we begin to truly live only when the end is near.
Why are we all stuck in it? Is it the only thing a life can achieve – toiling to simply exist?
As I seek for answer, a sense of frustration grows within me. We have the technology to liberate ourselves from this drudgery and create a world where everyone has the freedom to explore their potential, connect with nature, and pursue their passions. For nearly a century, we’ve toiled for eight hours a day, a relic of an industrial age long past. Instead, we are stuck with outdated structures, fueling the insatiable hunger of corporations and widening the gap between the have and the have not. We have the capacity to distribute resources equitably, ensuring that everyone can celebrate their existence. Instead, we squander our potential on wars and conflict, destroying the very world we’ve built.
Why do we chase shadows, such as power, reputation, and material wealth? Why do we cling to the ephemeral, neglecting the truly precious—our time? Is not it a tragic irony that we squander our most limited resource on pursuits that offer fleeting satisfaction?
With each passing moment, my time on Earth dwindles. Soon, this version of myself will cease to exist. Can’t I find my own path to cherish every moment I have while helping others do so?
