Do you remember the last time you engaged in something that once consumed your life? At that moment, did you realize it would be the final time you did it, or did it slip by unnoticed as just another experience?
Pause for a moment and consider the myriad things in your life that you will experience for the last time. While the day of your death will inevitably mark the end of all experiences as you know them, long before that moment arrives, there will be countless instances when you unknowingly experience something for the very last time.
When was the last time you cried from laughter, when time felt like it stood still because of the magic of the moment? If you’re a parent, think back to the last time you picked up your child, tucked them into bed, or read them a story. Or the last time you felt the flow of a climb, when all the stars aligned, and your movement became an effortless stream, lifting you effortlessly upward.
Each of these moments is priceless. Reflecting on this can bring a poignant awareness to every experience, even the challenging ones. For example, if you're in school and struggling through a difficult class, spending late nights and making frustratingly slow progress, it may feel grueling at the time. Yet, there will come a day when this experience of focusing solely on learning will be behind you. Recognizing the impermanence of these moments can shift your perspective, even during the toughest times, reminding you that they are part of a journey that will eventually come to an end. Being aware that this may be the last time can infuse the moment with a touch of sweetness.
We go through everything a finite number of times, yet we often take even the beautiful moments for granted. Too frequently, we're just trying to get through our experiences rather than fully appreciating them.
How can we shift our focus from simply getting through our experiences to fully accepting the impermanence of life?
When we cling to the idea that things last forever, we shield ourselves from truly experiencing them in the present. Embracing the awareness that all things eventually end illuminates the importance of fully experiencing each moment, freeing us from any stigma we might attach to it. This awareness allows us to engage completely, without any strings attached, knowing that we are each unique spirits and that this moment will never come again in the same way.
Tim Urban, who writes the insightful blog "Wait but Why," often explores this topic. He even created a striking visual representation of 90 years of life in weeks. Each line on the poster has 52 squares, and there are 90 lines on a single page.
The scale can be quite startling to contemplate. Each week represents a significant piece of a 90-year lifespan, and by marking your current week on the chart, you can see exactly where you are. This visualization also starkly highlights the uncertainty of how many weeks you have left, as assuming a full 90 years, let alone 90 good years, is generally not a safe bet.
What you can know is that every time you engage in an activity, whether pleasant or unpleasant, it might be the last time you do so. Eventually, there will come a time when you will have done something for the final time.
In my experience, you will rarely be aware when this moment arrives. For example, I used to love skiing, but I haven't skied in many years. Will I ever ski again? I don’t know. The last time I took off my skis, I had no inkling it might be the final time. I could still live for many more years, yet that moment had a good chance of being the last time I ever skied.
Consider the last time you swam in the ocean, lay under the stars, climbed a tree, or took a walk just for the sake of walking. As you go about your daily life, these seemingly ordinary moments may be approaching their final occurrence. Knowing that each experience is a finite opportunity to enjoy life can deepen your appreciation for the present. Each moment is uniquely woven into the fabric of your life and holds its own intrinsic value. Although it may not always be apparent in our self-imposed complex lives, raising our awareness can significantly enhance our experience of each moment. By paying closer attention, we can make each moment feel more meaningful and fully immerse ourselves in every experience, ultimately creating a seamless stream of joy in our lives.
What is our true source of wealth?
Often, time is regarded as the most important factor in our lives. As Theophrastus said, "Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend." But since time can easily be wasted through distraction, perhaps our attention is the true source of wealth...
This serves as a reminder to be more mindful in our interactions. When you meet someone for the first time and shake their hand, take a moment to fully engage and appreciate the wonder of connecting with another soul. When you’re climbing with your best friends and struggling to solve the crux of the problem, savor the shared experience of playing in nature together. And when you thank someone for something meaningful they’ve done for you, let your voice speak gratitude and your actions reflect sincerity of kindness. By raising your awareness in these moments, you can heighten your experience and lean into the fleeting moments of life that often get overlooked.
If you remind yourself that this could be the "last time" you experience something, can you deepen your awareness and enrich your experience?
Connecting more deeply with your life often hinges on mindfulness, which serves as the bridge to this deeper state of awareness. We frequently get lost in our thoughts and the narratives that we are telling ourselves, distracted by the past, future, or whatever it may be. Each time you notice that you’re lost in thought and bring your focus back to the present moment, you’re training your mind like a muscle. This repetition fosters a healthy transition into our natural state of Being.
“The impermanence of life is what makes everything possible.” Nhat Hanh
Written by James Larson
Photography by James Larson
Climber Greg
Edited by Maria Harrison
Artwork by Carolina De Los Rios
Source Reference: Your Life in Weeks - WAIT BUT WHY By Tim Urban
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