Honouring Life – The realization that everybody’s time is limited

Time is limited

Honouring life A reminder of our limited time might be birthdays, the passing of a loved one, an illness, starting a new life chapter or a million other things that drag the passing of time into the light of our attention. The illness of a loved one is what brought the concept of finiteness to my attention once more and got me to sit down and reflect. Life-changing milestones will come. And sometimes they are sad. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that nothing good, such as a new insight into life, can come off them. The real question is how we deal with them. I have decided to deal with them, with everything, by wholeheartedly honouring life.

Gratefulness What a fulfilled life is will look different for everybody. You do you, as long as it doesn’t harm anyone else and as long as it gives you the feeling your life choices reflect gratefulness for your and everybody else’s existence. I am beyond grateful for how my life panned out so far, for all the things I achieved, everything I have and all the things that I was given. I am constantly amazed what an attitude of gratefulness can do and how it has an impact on every area of life; happiness, productivity, mental health, relationships, a simplified life and many, many more.

The ultimate goal Does this exist? Is there ever an end to the journey towards the ultimate goal? I don’t believe so. To me, it feels very much like a process and ever evolving. A balance between powering through for the things that you want and floating with life to see where it carries you, consciously and intentionally. Live your life to the best of your abilities and as best as you can. Flow with what is, strive for what shall be and do it with intention, kindness and purpose. Don’t waste the life that you were given and live with your unique grain rather than against it. Don’t expect life to be something, question your expectations, review your path and your goals. Change perspective. Be. This is my pledge. In the face of finiteness, illness and the inevitable end of all things, this is what I want to apply to every step I take in life. To become more present, to achieve being as grateful as I can be and, ultimately, to honour the single most intense adventure there is for as long as I’m on it: Being alive. One more thing before you go: I am fully aware that I am writing these reflections out of a very privileged perspective. Some of these concepts may widely apply, some might not. For some people, there might be more pressing priorities. This is my life situation and my pledge. Please apply everything you read here to your own as much as it fits. And if you want to take the time, read more about my stand on writing out of privilege here (soon). Thank you.