This is not going to be a popular answer, but after months of meditation, I realized the sad truth. Nobody is going to like this but it is true. It could change your life, if you only grasp the sheer magnitude of it. I expect a lot of downvotes.
First of all, let’s understand that humans are nothing more than one of thousands of different species on this planet. We, like birds or fish or dogs, live here for a period of time and then pass away. But unlike all other species, we are distinct in one thing: We contemplate our reason for being and deduce that there must be reason behind it. Think about it: Does a monkey ever ask, “Why am I here?” Does a whale ask “What is my purpose?” Does a goat think “Have I succeeded, am I happy?”
NO! No other species dwells on such things. They live their lives moment to moment. They do not plan their meals, they do not set their clocks and create their schedules, overbooking their time, so that they are constantly rushed. Only humans do these things. But why?
It is because humans and humans alone are intelligent enough to believe that there must be more. There must be reason for this. There must be a purpose.
And that’s where we are wrong. Now here’s a strong statement that is true: Everything about you, your sense of humor, your intelligence, your creativity, your compassion, your motivation; all of what makes you YOU, will be forgotten within two generations of your death. Your children will remember your love, and maybe your grandchildren but after them, you will only be a picture on a wall or a name in the annals of history. But what makes you who you are, distinct and unique, will be forgotten forever. Just like all other species. Sad.
Think about the most famous people you can. Alexander the Great, Jesus, Hitler, Gandhi… What were they like? Were they rude? Were they fun to hang out with? Were they happy or depressed? Nobody today really knows. They only live on in name and only because they were hugely popular – either famous or infamous. Nearly every single human who has lived and died is forgotten forever and you will most likely be one of them. That’s a fact!
So what’s our purpose? So many people want to know “What is my purpose in life?” The truth is, your purpose is merely to procreate to ensure the survival of the human species into the future, in the same way all other species procreate to ensure the survival of their species: To ensure that their genetic codes go on. Because if you don’t procreate, then all that remains of you will be lost with your death. And your life, as important as you’ve convinced yourself it was, was pointless.
The harsh reality is this, in the grand scheme of things, most of our contributions are totally meaningless. Do you think that in 1000 years someone will talk about that App you wrote? Or that excel spreadsheet you filled out? Or that business you ran? Will your name even be remembered? In most cases it will not be and we will disappear from all of history and be completely forgotten like so many before us.
So what’s the point then? Why even go on?
The point is this. You are here for a very short period of time and the fact that you are here is an invaluable gift. So if there is stuff that’s hurting you; a bad job, a bad relationship, debt, stress… walk away from it. Don’t let things destroy this precious gift. And don’t buy into the lie that sitting behind a computer for 8 hours a day for a paycheck is going to fulfill you. It won’t. That’s a system built on lies. If there is something you want to do then do it before it is too late. Do it now!
Life will fly by and before you know it, you will be at the end of it. Don’t get to the end saying “I wish I had done this or that. I wish I had seen this. I wish…..
Do it when you can! Before it’s too late. Because life is a gift that can be taken from you at any moment. Treasure it and enjoy it!
