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Life Is Short

In Life Is Short , Most Popular , Pep Talks , Rants and Sermons by David November 16, 2010 291 Comments

This isn’t really one of those helpful photographic posts, so if you’re jonesin’ for info on what gear I’m packing for New Zealand, you might want to just kind of move along 🙂 But I’m bursting to say these things, and I’m hoping someone out there needs to hear. I do.

As some of you know there’s some big changes coming down the pipe for me and I’ll give you a full report as soon as I can. I’ve fought the urge to make these changes for a while now and something finally cracked.

I had breakfast with a close friend of mine yesterday and it’s that meeting that is making me write this, because I can’t keep it in this morning. His wife, one of my favourite people on the planet, is fighting for her life against inoperable brain cancer. She’s fighting, but she’s not well, and the doctors are talking in terms of quality of life, not healing, not remission. My heart is breaking for her. My heart is breaking for him. A young couple that, like all of us, thinks they have forever together, have all the time in the world to chase their dreams. But we don’t. None of us do. It’s an illusion.

Life is short. We seem to think that we’ll live forever. We spend time and money as though we’ll always be here. We buy shiny things as though they matter and are worth the debt and stress of attachment. We put off the so-called “trip of a lifetime” for another year, because we all assume we have another year. We don’t tell the ones we love how much we love them often enough because we assume there’s always tomorrow. And we fear. Oh, do we fear. We stick it out in miserable jobs and situations because we’re afraid of the risk of stepping out. We don’t reach high enough or far enough because we’re worried we’ll fail, forgetting – or never realizing – that it’s better to fail spectacularly while reaching for the stars than it is to succeed at something we never really wanted in the first place.

A woman emailed earlier this year. Her husband, the love of her life, was a fan of mine and he’d just come through a tough fight with Leukemia. She asked if I’d take some time with him, go shooting with him if he came to Vancouver, sort of as a celebration of his recovery. I said yes, of course, how could I not. But I was busy, about to travel, and could we do it in a couple months when summer rolled around and I had time to host him. Of course. Let’s talk soon. I got back two months later and sent an email saying, let’s make it happen! And 5 minutes later got a reply telling me the leukemia had returned with speed and fury and within days he’d gone. Even now, I’m writing this with tears, though anyone that knows me knows it doesn’t take much.

We think we’ve got forever and that these concerns that weigh us down are so pressing. We worry about the trivial to the neglect of the most precious thing we have: moments we’ll never see again. We talk of killing time, passing time, and getting through the week, forgetting we’re wishing away the moments that comprise our lives. We say time is money when in fact the time we have is ALL we have. Money can be borrowed, time can’t. We fear taking risks, unaware that the biggest risk we run in playing it safe is in fact living as long as we hope and never doing the things we dreamed of. And then it’s too late. We watched our favourite TV shows, we fought a losing battle with our weight, we picked up the guitar once in a while and never quite finished the french language courses we wanted to do. We managed to get a large flatscreen and new cars once in a while, but the list of things we’d have done if we could really, truly could have done anything, kept growing. And we never did them.

I don’t know how to wrap this up. There’s no resolution. I was in Sarajevo last week thinking about all this; I’d be walking the old city thinking how amazing it was, looking into the hills that surround it. And then it occurred to me, just over 15 years ago the citizen of Sarajevo that stood in this spot was likely to be hit by mortar shells or sniper fire. We’re all terminal folks. We’re all in the sniper scope. We’ve got less time that we think. For every ten people that email me and say, “I wish I could do what you’re doing. I wish I could follow my dreams, I wish, I wish…,” I wonder if even one moves forward. I hope so.

Whatever your dream is, find a way to make it happen. Your kids can come with you. Your job can wait. You can find someone to feed the cat. I know, I know, there are so many reasons we can’t and some of those reasons are valid. Life is not only short, it is also sometimes profoundly hard. But I think sometimes our reasons are in fact only excuses. If that’s the case, take stock. I talk alot about living the dream, and I’m an idealist, I know it. But it’s not self-help, positive-thinking, wish-upon-a-star. It’s the realization that life is short and no one is going to live my life on my behalf. And one day soon – because it’ll seem that way, I know it – my candle will burn out; I want it to burn hot and bright while it’s still lit. I want it to light fires and set others ablaze.

Life is short. Live it now. And live it with all your strength and passion now. Don’t keep it in reserve against a day you might not have. While the ember is still lit, fan it to flame. Be bold about it, even if your circumstances mean all you have is to love boldly and laugh boldy. Because now is all we have, and these dreams won’t chase themselves.

End of sermon, thanks for listening. I just kind of needed to get it out there. It wasn’t the point of this but if you’re the praying type, send some mojo out for my friend and his wife. God knows who they are. 🙂

PS. If this post has moved you in some way, why not nail your colours to the mask. Read my subsequent post HERE .

This post has deeply moved me ever since you wrote it in 2010. I try to revisit it at least annually.

To me, it is especially vital now, living as we do in the time of Covid-19. I want to find a way to follow your guidance, even now. Especially now. We will not all survive this; how do we make the best of everything, all things considered? Only time will tell. But I do not intend to rest by the wayside until it passes; there must be something more I can do. Your words and inspiration will help me find my way.

Be well and thank you for everything you post!

It’s amazing to visit this web page and reading the views of all friends on the topic of this post, while I am also eager of getting knowledge.

I do agree with your nice sentences. Lets try for life in order to obtain our logical dreams , but if we trust on our kind GOD who is aware of future , we will not be depress if we fail . GOD is our creator . As you know no one can lead his creature in the best way , except the owner .So by believing in GOD beside TRYING we have to abandon hopeless and negative energy . GOD KNOWS WHAT IS OUR EXPEDIENT.

I have sent this comment from Iran. I wish you would obtain your dreams which are the same as me best wishes

This is the most touching sytory ever. I hope oneday I can follow my dreams and live my life and fellow my dreaems. Thanks david.

I’m really satisfied i came across this particular inside my seek for a really essential factor relating to this.

Believed it was in fact descriptive. I came across this web website in Bing, thank you significantly.

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Seize it, Sarah. Milk the courage you have now for all it’s worth. Celebrate the all-clear report but don’t ever forget that we’re all terminal. We’ve all got so little time to enjoy so much life. 🙂

Just been for a scan for an ovarian tumour and it’s clear. Have been doing deals with God. Wondering what the hell I have been doing with my life until now. Life is short. Have printed out your post and stuck it above my desk in case I ever, ever forget my prayers were answered. x Sarah

Dear David,

This morning I heard a work colleague passed away rather suddenly, and I realised how fragile our lives are, I wanted to let you know how appropriate you blog has been, thank you…

I am sending bit of it to my family, I really hope that I will be able to make the changes needed in my life…

This is wonderful. Life is really very short. My prayer is that God should help us remember that always.

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Thanks David! I was in a doubtful state for the last few years, thinking of what to do with my life, my loved ones, my family. Your writing inspired me a lot to take the decision that I needed to! The time is running out and it should not be wasted! Truly life is short, it’s very short indeed! Thanks for those true and inspirational words!

extremely true ,i used to worry a lot a lot about things in life even smaller ones extremely beyond limits and make it miserable thinking what i ve done in the past and be depressed for months and weeks together!! im 19 yr old and dis is the core part of my life,henceforth i will remember this always ,”Life is short ,very short” and make the best of each and every moment therein…….ALSO MY FRIENDS PLZZ DO SUGGEST ME WAYS TO LIVE MY LIFE…….

Beautifully written. We need to be reminded of this everyday. Life is so short. XO Cheers

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Truly inspirational. Thank You

Thanks and thanks. What can I say, thanks again.

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That moved me trememdously and it is a great post. i agree, sorry about your friend and his wife, i mean, sometimes tragedies occur and they could be gosh darn devastating, however, unfortunately even if you’re a doctor sometimes they’re just incurable and there’s nothing you could do, i mean, look, the fact is i’m just a person just like everyone else, you’ve received a plethora of replies but the fact is words can’t bring the dead, i understand why you wrote everything about that life stuff, you just wanted to get you’re emotions out to the world, you know, life is just capricious and everything that happens is totally random and that’s why our future remains a mystery and nobody knows what it holds, me too, as a matter of fact, i live in the moment, i have great appreciation for life regardless of the circumstances i live in because i’m still alive nevertheless and someday i will have the chance to become somebody, now, i’ve got to tell you something, many people pass away sometimes very young and you ask yourself why, it’s so unfair, i mean, if god exists why would he take them at suck a young age, right, the reason is because he doesn’t exist, now, i don’t know if you agree but there’s certainly lots of people who are atheists and they have a good reason to be doubters full blast, life is short, i hope my words will be tremedously comforting and therapeutic and helpful, you know, that poem the road not taken, well, there will be bumps and obstacles and problems and sometimes contentment but you got to explore the world and do many things because you’ve got to use your time effectively and wonderfully because at the end of the day it’s not the years in your life that matter but it’s the life in your years, now, think about it, living in the now is very good and down to earth, i like it, life is life, man, nobody can tell you anything better, i read everything you wrote and every word is inspirational, it’s actually depressing, to be honest with you, you made me cry as well, your a good man, live life to the fulllest and be a winner, you got to believe in yourself and do it, because words won’t make a difference and finally i just want to say in conclusion, i think that you actually changed my way of thinking about life because i’m a teenager and i really know how it feels like to lose a friend or family member of a young age because it never happened to me and i’m grateful and joyful for that but somehow i know exactly what if it must feel like, it’s terrible and heart-wrenching, it’s indescribable, it makes everyone glum when someone who love or care about suddenly dies, farewell and may time serve you

Thanks a lot for this wonderful post. Every word means a lot to me.

thanks……………i wanted to hear this – but i read it.

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Thank you… this was just what I needed. Giving credit where credit is due.

hey this is really amazing

i am here with tears in my eyes david.. bless u.. thank u for this post.. i needed it..

i am here with tears in my eyes david.. bless u.. thank u for this post.. i needed it

Thank you for this! How short life truly is something that I think of often. I am 26, and have had 2 “trips of a lifetime” so far, and I’m hoping for many more to come. The reason I am writing this now, is today, my grandmother passed away at 80 years old, and as I’m thinking of how wonderful a person she was and the love she gave to her family, and I can’t help think about how quickly my 26 years have gone by, and if I am lucky enough to make it to 80 years, how quickly that day will come. I’m just trying to enjoy every moment I have while I can.

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Thanks for this post!! I will not have more “reasons” or “excuses and I will live my dream and travel to Cuba this year!!! 🙂

My friend you are right. Life is short. We should enjoy it as much as possible before the flame on the candle vanish. Thank you for sharing a beautiful piece!

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Thank you very much from Spain

Beautiful and Refreshing. Thank you. Hugs to you!

That’s a really touching post. Recently I lost both my parents and I can resonate with some of the feelings posted here. There times when I wish time stopped and I can spend an eternity in that moment. But as the saying goes “Time and tide waits for no one”…one needs to live in the moment and savor it.

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David, Looks like you’ve really started something here. Many people talk like this, but its encouraging to see you actually doing it! I look forward to hearing more about it on the savannah in january. — ryan

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I come to post my colors here among you who call this site one of their homes. I am a survivor. 7.5 years ago my world underwent a dramatic shift when I was diagnosed with cancer … stage 3 … with 2 young children. It was an incredible walk and I learned sooo much! God was merciful, faithful, my redeemer and healer. He was tangible … and it was something life changing for many people.

Today I am delving into my passion and branching out into the professional world of photography. I feel like a caterpillar getting ready to emerge from my chrysalis! For too long, I lived my post cancer life looking in the rearview mirror so to speak …watching and waiting for cancer to rear its head. But … no more! Today I walk forward … a light … an example … a survivor … a child of God.

Today I vow to embrace and accept myself .. to take chances … to simplify and let go of things that bind me to the mundane … to live more and worry less … to embrace each and every day as an adventure … a moment to be be cherished, celebrated, and lived.

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Ah, thank you, THANK YOU for the reminder of this sweet life. Peace and great joy as you make your way…..

Inspiring David, thanks for reminding me what is important in this life.

Thank you for this post. A friend sent it to me. I’m glad she did. My husband and I are going to live our dream out over the next year of learning to live lighter on the earth…getting rid of old habits, creating new ones, in a bold experiment we’ve never tried before. Thank you for encouraging us!

What a beautiful and poignant post! Thank you for sharing. I’m sorry that you and your loved ones are suffering, and wish everyone as much peace and happiness as possible. As someone who left home behind to travel and experience new things, your message is also near and dear to my heart. I’m going to share it with my readers, and I wish you the best on your upcoming adventures.

David, Thanks for your timely post. I have taken time away from your blog (and a few others I would read daily) to work on my photography without trying to imitate things that I had seen. In retirement life has been good, but I do waste quite a bit of time. Your words come as a reminder to me to keep working diligently on both my inner and outer journey. Grace and peace, Eric

Thank you so much for this post. When something is this honest and inspiring, it’s very hard to come away from it without being moved.

I can only concur with the above.. I do hope, like everyone else that you and your friends find peace in this very difficult time.

Very well said David. I think we all need a reminder from time to time. I’ll definitely mark this for a re-read too. My prayers go out to your friends that they might find strength in this most difficult time.

David, praying for your friends , these are trying times and time … you are right…”now” is of essense. So every day i talk to my mum for an hour. no point crying over her grave once she goes, i can only pray she lives long enough to pass on the high moral values she tried imparting me to my kids… but i know as Hinduism coins the term “shan-bhangur” or worthy of annhilation in seconds, we are such creatures…so every day after my first cuppa , i call my mum, talk shop, soak in her surroundings though the phone and celeberate her. i am married, have a hubby, love him too…but i know my longer than i know him..and i am coz she is….

A touching post, David. Thought provoking for both right and left brains… I’m deeply touched by the response of the Community – I’m connecting with a real sense of humanity and an outpouring of love here. Thanks for posting!

My heart is with your friends. I am trying to grasp something of that instinct—that is, the instinct to be together, to comfort another with words, with silence, with gestures…it’s a real thing, and it’s beautiful. You’ve demonstrated the reality of this in this post. Your post truly moved me and I will carry this message with me throughout the day…and I will silently hold vigil with your friend and his wife as they move through this difficult time.

You also said:

“And one day soon – because it’ll seem that way, I know it – my candle will burn out; I want it to burn hot and bright while it’s still lit. I want it to light fires and set others ablaze.”

And all I can say to that is…Amen.

In the closing pages of Walden, Thoreau leaves us with this eloquent challenge and vision:

The millions are awake enough for physical labor; but only one in a million is awake enough for effective intellectual exertion, only one in a hundred millions to a poetic or divine life. To be awake is to be alive. I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face?

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. . . .

Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. Its thin current slides away, but eternity remains.

“Life is short, don’t waste time worrying about what people think of you Hold on to the ones that care, in the end they will be the only ones there.”

excelente post, para no sólo leerlo si no también para reflexionarlo, vivirlo y releerlo. la mayoría de las veces creemos que las situaciones de enfermedad o tragedias son exclusivas de “los otros”. La oración siempre será curativa.

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My father recently passed away from cancer, and he also had a brain tumor. I certainly regret missing opportunities to have done more together. You only realize how short life is when you see the end.

After my father’s death, I made a slideshow to remember. I quickly realized that the slides I was looking for photographs to remember HIM. Postcard pictures, beautiful landscapes, interesting scenes didn’t make the cut; but pictures that captured an emotion, a moment in time, no matter what the quality, are the ones I saved to remember him.

oh, I think you are making people think about the most important things in life, you encourage them to take ” a risk” of being themselves, to make their dreams come true. I am convinced your experience of life- before making from photography your life-way-is precious. But to share it with people all over the world, to devote your time to others is really something! your text is sooooo moving and the words: “Whatever your dream is, find a way to make it happen” will hopefully help many people to make their lives happy and full of freedom 🙂 Thank you for this 🙂

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I am a fan of Ur. Workshops and Photography. We here pray for Ur friend and his wife. Being a follower of Nichiren Daishonin”s Buddhism, I pray. Nam Myoho Renge kyo!! for World Peace and Happiness!!

fabulous reminder to us all. Thanks for sharing.

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  A New Message From VERONICA   Walking A New Path        “Many times we have encountered those in the linear who are tired of walking down familiar paths.  They are often ones where the outcome is predictable and the energy ever devolving into greater negativity.        Physical life is full of opportunity to change direction.  One has to be full of courage to do so.  A belief system in your ability to choose is also needed.        Whatever has occurred you do have the ability to change it.  All of the drama surrounding the change may appear to be difficult but only if you enable it to do so. The confusion arises when allowing inappropriate drama to continue.  It begins to feel very commonplace.  Those in that energy space usually feel unable to change their course.        Spirit will assist you in your quest to walk a new path.  Feeling like a victim of circumstance only enables the negativity to stay.        Choose to change direction.        At first it may feel awkward or lonely.  However, put one foot in front of the other as you walk the new path.        Your soul will accompany you on the journey.        A new path is a new life which brings the probability of happiness and connection.        Take the first step.”                                       –VERONICA

My Mom sent me this message the other day from a medium she follows online & I thought it helpful to me since I want to make a change in my life & so I wanted to share it with others looking to make changes. I am going on the Antarctica 2011 trip and look forward to meeting you David.

My first visit here… I’ve read this several times and it’s beautiful. Really. I’ve posted it on fb and read it to friends who’ve visited my house. The lump in my throat comes every time I read it. Why is it so easy to go through the motions? I hate it. This encourages me more and more. Thank you friend for sharing your heart. You are a light. Xoxo

Thanks for sharing your thoughts…inspiring message that we all hear every so often and don’t remember often enough! My brother is in the fight of his life, along with his wife and two young daughters…lymphoma…so this strikes close to home. Yesterday may be a fond memory, but it is past…we might dream about tomorrow, but it may never come…make today a great day!

Dear David, Thank you for sharing your thoughts with the world and motivating us into action. This post is like pouring water to a dormant seed. The seed of our dreams, hopes and passions that many of us bury away as life gets in the way.

Like all of the others above I agree one hundred percent with what you say. The past is but a memory, the future is just an illusion. The one real thing is the present. We spend far too much time dwelling on the past or dreaming of a future, forgetting to live life at present.

David my thoughts are with your friend and his wife.

A truly inspirational post that hit me right in the gut. Thank you, David!

Hmmm. I read this post sitting in the kitchen of my mother in laws house – who, a mere four weeks ago was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Three weeks ago she had surgery to debulk it, two weeks ago we had the diagnosis that its malignant, and the most aggressive tumour that the surgeon has ever seen in his 15 year career, and that she’s got anywhere between two days and three weeks to live. We’ve bought her home here so she can see out her last few days surrounded by friends and family on her families farm. Each day we wonder if today is the day.

Live is short. And sometimes – you have no idea until its too late exactly how short it is.

I somehow feel that my reply to your post David a mere two months ago to your introspective post from Kathmandu about purpose was a portent of things to come…

Well said and well written.

So well written with such a wonderful message! Well done.

Wow. My thoughts and good wishes are with your friend and his wife. We all need to be reminded every now and then … that time is really the only thing we have. We can’t take anything with us except the love we share with family and friends and the memories and experiences we have with them. Thank you for posting this.

These words are exactly what I needed to lift me back up in my life. Thank you so much!

this….said it all. you covered every thought. thankyou for sharing.

My husband emailed me this link today and in his email he said “take the time and read it”. We are always talking about how busy we are and have no time for ourselves because we put work first. We do not have children which would seem like we would have even more time to do for ourselves but we don’t. I want to thank you for writing this and helping others to see – including myself, how important living your life to the fullest really is. You and your friends are in my thoughts and prayers. warm regards, Critsey

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Excuse me for hijacking the thread a little bit, but: @Martin Joergensen: Are you the same guy who did those wonderful “on location” from Denmark at Nikonians ?

I am so glad to hear someone else who thinks like me. I was refered to you by facebook, and I am adding you to my favorites. LIVE life! I preach this everyday! Thank you for so eloquently putting the english language to use on this subject!

Cheers to a likable soul.

My husband Stuart said I really needed to read your post. He was right. You had me at..”But I’m bursting to say these things, and I’m hoping someone out there needs to hear. I do”

Being an Oncology nurse, your words went straight to my heart. Dying is a real eye opener to life. Sharing your experience with others will most certainly help many people understand how fragile and short life really is. It really made me think about it.

I have always imagined that “wishing for the weekend to hurry up and get here” Is just wishing your life away. You so passionately put this thought into words.

Taking the time and giving emotional support to your friends who are grieving is the single most unselfish thing you can do. it is so appreciated and will never be forgotten… But the best thing is it is free!

Your post is so powerful that the job market may have many openings as people will be quitting to chase their dreams!! Lol.

Thank-you David for putting yourself out there to write about such an emotional and important topic. I pray for peace and comfort to your friends but also to you during this chapter in your life.

This being the 207th or so comment it might not have a big impact or add much new to your observations and those in all the above comments, but anyhow: I was certainly touched by your post — on a very direct and personal level, actually. I have been a very active outdoors person (biologist, photographer, journalist and avid fly fisher) for many years, and have always been scooting around like a fly in a bottle, and never thought the least of it.

But a few years back I suddenly lost feeling in my lower legs and feet, and over a period of a few months it became bad enough for me to be hospitalized. I was diagnosed with MS and since then my life changed drastically. I have lost almost all feeling and control of my legs. I can walk with a cane and still get around, but it’s a far cry from my previous trekking, fishing, shooting life!

I am 51 now and luckily I have been around a lot. Traveled the world and experienced amazing things, been very active writing, publishing, podcasting and whatnot.

Even though I’m still as active as I can be, I have a very clear limit now, and I have climbed my last rock, defeated my last mountain, walked my last 10 mile walk and many other things. I still travel, fish, shoot and try to be out as much as I can, but there is a very physical limit.

The morale? Well, simply put: just do it!

If you have plans for your life, do NOT postpone them until you have: time, money, energy or whatever other excuses you can muster. You never know what tomorrow or next year brings.

JUST DO IT!

I work as a general surgeon. Many years ago I had a patient come to me with metastatic melanoma. I sat down with him and his wife and explained the diagnosis. It was a death sentence and there was no way to candy coat that. If you could shoot the messenger, I can assure you the wife would have done so. I dove home with a heavy heart that day. The wife’s words about all the things they had planned to do, kept repeating in my mind. After a while, I wondered why they didn’t do some of them aready. When I walked into the house, the first thing I said to my wife was, “let’s go to Australia.” We both wanted to do it as a “someday” even. Now I realized that “someday” may never come. All we have is today. We have to make of it the most we can. Well, we went to Australia. It is the highpoint of our lives together and we speak of it often and fondly. We have traveled to many other destinations and are working our way thur a list of things we want to do. We will never be able to do them all, but when I stand in front of St. Peter on my appionted day, I want to be able to say, “I did all I could and I don’t have any regret .” I have found in life, I more often regret the things I did not do, than the things I did. If it is important to you, do it today. Don’t put off a phone call to an old friend, a trip, taking up a new hobby, or telling someone you love them. You may regret the time you did not take the oportunity more then you may know.

Love to you and to your friends. Thanks for writing this.

Thank you David, a timely reminder on the transience of life. You and your friends will be in my thoughts and prayers.

David, thank you for this post. I’m so glad I found it right now, just after returning from an inspiring, long-overdue vacation and wondering how to avoid going back on autopilot. I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s important? And what’s the point? To me, the point is to live an interesting, creative life filled with love. I want to be continually inspired and I’d be thrilled if my work had that effect on others. Thank you for your encouraging words.

I know how you feel, David. In august, my wife received the diagnose: breast cancer … She is quite young, 31 years old, we have four kids, so naturally this was a hard one …. on top of that, the tumor i very large, so she’ll need to have 8 (eight) Kemo treatments, before the operation. On wednesday next week, it will be no 5 … We have good days, and bad days. I’ve not been photographing so much the last couple of month’s , the daily routines takes up most of my time .. But we have high hopes for the future, it seems that the cancer has not spread to other parts of her body, yet !! We hope

This box isn’t enough to say everything I want to say but here’s a snippet. Three little words – Life’s too short. What you say resonates so true with me. I am a cirrhosis sufferer in holding pattern – not getting worse & not getting better. I was at a presentation at our support group recently and there were some personal story speakers there. I looked around the room and I see all these sufferers. I realise that over half of them may be dead within a few years yet there was not one person there who was negative. The sheer enjoyment that everyone there has for life was palpable. All they wanted was an extension a transplant would give but they weren’t going to die quietly. Each of them were following Dylan Thomas’ great words – “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

I love you, David (platonically, of course!). Your work, your blog and your spiritual ‘compass’ continues to inspire me and others. I stop here every morning for my mug o’ Dave.

Thanks for keeping it real. Safe travels, and thanks for the reminder to live boldly.

Thank you David – what a wonderful Blog! I wish you much happiness in your newest Adventure. Life surely is an adventure and you are fortunate that you have been able to come to the realization before age creeps up on you. Go for it and have a wonderful life. God Bless you and your friends.

Isn’t it interesting that you were “bursting to say these things, and I’m hoping someone out there needs to hear” and someone was? This came to me via a link from Facebook. It was a very good read and it reinforces my desire to see and do everything there is to see and do before I move on.I am sorry for those that have lost someone in your story but grateful for the lesson their experience offers.

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Hello – I am sure with all your replies you won’t have time to read them all, but that’s ok. I wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful post – I just buried my best friend yesterday. She was 45, and fought a very tough and long battle with ALS and dementia – she leaves a wonderful husband and two young children. And me. A best friend – she was the most fun and ALIVE person you could want to know- with a loud booming southern accent and a fantastic laugh. She was my college roommate, we both grew up in Orlando and decided to hit the big city after college and we drove to boston packed to the gills in my little corolla. It was the adventure of a lifetime for us as we made many stops along the way and had lots of laughs. We both settled in the area, married and had kids. We stayed close. 3 years ago came the awful diagnoses. I wished I could fix it, I wished it away – I prayed like never before. But it was not to be – it was her time. After about 5 years of marriage for both of us – we tossed around the idea of going to Vegas to celebrate – what fun that would have been. But we opted to wait until the kids got older. Now we will never get to go. So yeah – go grab life by the horns. Now.

I am also about to move my mother up here to live with me – she was diagnosed this summer with Alzheimers and had a stroke in August – I am looking forward to spending time with her. See, my mom and I never got along and I am taking this opportunity to care for her and make her last years comfortable. I will still grab life by the horns, I will still make time for my family. But I will also cherish the time left with my mother.

Thank you again for such a great post – and I will leave you with the words my father said before he passed away 4 years ago at the age of 91. “I have no regrets, I lived a wonderful life, I did what I wanted to do and I did it surrounded by those I loved”

That is how I want to live.

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I started crying while reading this. So powerful and so true. Life is too short and I think we need to be reminded of how precious it is every single day. Thank you!

I SO needed to read this!!! Thanks for putting it so perfectly!

Its been said so many times already in these comments but I have to say thank you … For this post, for the work you do, for what you inspire in me. As I think of & pray for your friends and all who’ve talked about lost loved ones, I can only think of Psalm 91. That is my prayer for all of us as we go out & seek our own amazing life.

Wow- wonderful post. Certainly another must-read blog to add to my list!

@larryphoto

I have only just found your blog and am glad I did. What you say is too true, most of us procrastinate in one way or another. I am as guilty as anyone else, yet guilt is an unhealthy bedfellow. Whenever I hear the words I would but … danger bells ring in my ears. It is inevitably followed byI must do this or that first …

There is only one must in life, we must all sooner or later die, nothing else, all else is our own choice. Last winter I was twice heading through those pearly gates and was twice miraculously sent bak although I was quite ready to go. Since then I have experience the desert in bloom as it so seldom happens (less often than once every 20 years) and picked up my paintbrushes again that have lain idle for 28 years. Life presents us with wonders every day, we just need to learn to see them.

PS I have swallows nesting in the shed that will be my studio so work on it has been suspended until they fledge. Meanwhile I paint outside.

David, your post is truly inspiring and is made even more profound by the endless number of comments from people who have been moved by it. How many people here said they know someone who’s life ended too soon? Or who admit they have not followed their dreams? I am one of those people too, but trying to make a change. And it is scary. But I think you’re right, what is more scary is not making the change. Thank you Anne.

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Thank you for sharing that,all the best to your friend!

I have admired you as a photographer…Now I admire you completely. My family is dealing with a terminal brain cancer sufferer and the strife associated with making unpleasant decisions. Thank you for this post – it will remain with me whenever there is a need to put things in perspective.

Regards from the southern edge of Africa.

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My heart is with your friends. I lost my husband, soul mate and best friend 2 years ago to a year long battle with cancer. It was the most heart wrenching thing to witness and it was the most important thing I will probably ever do. I stayed home with him for most of the year. I took care of him and it was the hardest thing I will ever do. I got the time you speak of, with him. We don’t realize until it’s too late what we have missed in life. We had thoughts of retirement, travel and photography but we really never got the chance or should I say we didn’t take it while we had it. I too heard the quality of life speach with my husband. I hope your friends can enjoy what time they have left together. I cherished those days. They weren’t easy, they weren’t fun but they were what we got and we made the best of it.

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May the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with your friends during this time.

I myself have been responding to some rather large life-changers in my own life. Three years ago I had a decent paying job, a house and a collection of mounting medical debt that was proving resistant to getting paid off. Then the economy did what it did in the U.S. Today, I have a lower-paying (but more satisfying) job working with teen addicts, a rented apartment in a crummy part of town and a bankruptcy packet that is being filed this week. But I also have a camera and a dream. Now my thoughts are centered around moving that ‘dream’ from intangible point of hope to a very real bringer of joy and (hopefully) income. Progress is slow (because, well, life is still life – and life loves it’s roadblocks!) but the outlook is grand.

David, your teachings and the sharing of your life experiences have become a cherished source of motivation and knowledge with which to forge my new existence in this world. Knowing that you, too, have been through bankruptcy, and have come out smarter, stronger, faster is a real encouragement to me. I believe the Lord works all things for the glory of His will, and your presence in my life, right when I need it, confirms this. Thanks so much for being a Kicker of Darkness and Lover of Light, my friend.

David, just sent you some important links by email to your personal address – please send them to your friends, it might help!

And for you . .

THAT blog post is why you have so many fans my friend! You shoot and speak with your heart and are 100% authentic and it comes through in your images and your words. Keep being who you are.

I moved to the otherside of the world to live my dream life – every day I count my blessings. Friends and family may be far away and I miss them all terribly but I had to live my life, my way. It’s the only one I’ve got. I came to realise this in a similar way you have – it was through my grief of losing people I cared about that made me want to step up and grab life. It was my way to honour how knowing them made me a better person.

I hope medicine, love and the force of life bring the best to your friend and his wife.

Wow! The best blog ever. This reminds me of a saying I read earlier this week that also really struck home hard. “Death is the dark side of the mirror that reflects life.” And I realized that without being aware of potential losses, we would not value life so highly and our drive to live to the fullest would be meaningless.

Thank you for writing this. I really needed to hear this today. I hope that your friend can prove the doctors wrong and recover. The story about the woman who contacted you is truly heartbreaking and really brings home the point that there might not be a tomorrow.

What you said in this post, deep down, we all know it, but we often choose to put things off for tomorrow, next month, next year. As someone who is blessed to have survived the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti earlier this year, this post really hits home. The thousands who perished also thought they had tomorrow. But, you just never know.

Amazing – thanks for reminding us how precious life is. I try not to take it for granted given my own personal experience. It’s good to remind us all to live life and appreciate every moment we have on this earth and with our loved ones. Thanks again for this incredible posting. Hope you’re doing well and take care.

Caroline Seattle, WA

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I’ve just been introduced to your site and concur with everything you said in this post. In the past year I’ve known three people who planned for a future which would never be his/hers. We need to appreciate every moment and I can honestly say that I am. I look forward to seeing/reading more from you. Many thanks for your candor. http://open-window.typepad.com/blog/2010/02/stop-and-smell-the-roses.html

Thank you for writing exactly what I needed to read. I will keep your friend and his wife in my prayers. And I will pass this post on to others.

Whenever as a child or a teenager I would lament about wanting to do something, saying I wish I could do this or that. My father would recite a bit of a proverb or nursery rhyme he learnt as a child. It was lost on me until I became an adult.

“If wishes were horses Beggars would ride: If turnips were watches I would wear one by my side. And if ifs and ans were pots and pans, The tinker would never work”

In short wishing gets us nowhere, taking action no matter how small it maybe generates other actions that move us closer to living our dream. The trick is to maintain the momentum.

Sometimes it is hard to keep thinking this way. Like you say, life is hard and sometimes holding on can take up most of your strength. It’s sad to think that it takes a major incident, such as your friend, to start this life altering process. I had a stroke at the age of 25. It was minor, and ironically, I counted myself lucky that I came away from it mostly unscathed. The biggest scar is the emotional one. It becomes almost easy to ‘live to the fullest’ when something like this happens to you, you feel the brush of immortality – and then sadly it fades. It’s now 2 years and 5 very minor strokes later, and every day I live with fear that next time, I may not be so lucky. It’s this fear that reminds me that I am alive – turn the negative into a positive. Beautiful writing David… And my thoughts are with you and your friends. X

David, I have been your fan for the longest time. Thanks for writing this post. It really resonates with my current thought process and I thank you for this inspiring post. All the best to your friend. She will be in our thoughts! Manyu

Thank you, David. I am going to send others I know to read this post.

More amazing layers, David. This is why I follow your blog and read your books. What you say is true, honest, real. Thanks for the reminder. Just had a meeting with my womens’ group on the island about this very thing. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!

Hello David, This is the first I’ve read of your blog, what a lovely way to start my day. All the best to your friend who is ill will say my prayers. Have a great great day.

Prayers for your friend and one Duchemin spoke to another Duchemin this am (and many others). Thank you

thank you David

David, I was just going to pass this by on a post on facebook, instead I clicked on it and read your amazing and profound words. It is true, I always say life is short and live it without regrets…however I never act on the dreams I have….instead of I should of, I wish I had…I am going to lite the fire of my desires and do the things I want to do now. I pray for your friends for strength and comfort…and a miracle to heal. There is only one who knows the day and hour and minute of our departing this earth…to him I give all glory…I am sending blessings and love out to you and your friends.

Sorry David, Nicole retweeted and i got the names mixed up before I hit submit…

Speechless Nicole, very true and thank you for igniting that spark. My thoughts are with you and your friend.

Thank you David. For years now I have been saying next time, next year, tomorrow. Your post reminds me that now is the time, year and today may be all I get.

My prayers go out to you and your friends.

WOW True words

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how easy it is to forget that life is short until something big and ugly leaps out and growls menacingly at us (at least that’s how it is for me).

sorry to hear about your friends, that totally sucks. of course prayers will be said for them. thanks for sharing their story and asking for help on their behalf.

not sure where you are going in nz, hopefully you will keep us posted and let us know if there will be any chances to meet you in person (that’s on my life list for sure).

Awe Inspiring Post:) Now to figure out my dream job and stop wasting time in Retail. God I hate it.

Hi David Great piece of what is important, you just made me had a look at my own life all over again:)

thanx for sharing

David, you have positively changed the lives of many of your readers today, and through us our friends and family.

Thank you for sharing.

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Amen, Brother. Well put.

David, I’m not into God really. At least not in the sence we ussualy perceive it.

I’m sending my mojo, good wishes, all my energy to your friends. And big thansk for being such a great teacher!

Thanks David! You did it again, you hit a nerve… There’s only one thing that I’d add from my perspective and is that “living our dreams” is even better when is about “living/giving” for others. That’s when you really enjoy life… I think we have been designed to do that, but because so many things we like to take other roads…

In the humanitarian field I’ve witnessed that many times… it’s better to give than to receive. That’s the real dream!

Good thoughts David, thank you. Not so far from my context these days on a couple of life’s fronts.

Sometimes the so-called path of least resistance can really be the path of greater friction. Fear and risk-aversion and inertia are three tricky devils that don’t tell the truth.

And our mortality – yes it can be a sobering messenger. I pray you will be a timely and incarnate friend – one of those things that matters far more (and lasts longer) than pictures.

David… the heart expressed in your words, exactly as vision is expressed in your photographic journey… never fails to inspire. Thank you for sharing… prayers sent.

*look at me* lost my job, instead of falling on my ass, I’m turning it into a dive into deep water – gonna swim as hard as I can and see where I ned up. The first month has been kind to me… not that this is all about me.

Just sayin’ I agree, and sometimes we need a helpful push.

Thanks for the reality check – we are always comforted by “someday I will” or “maybe”. It takes extraordinary courage to face our the quality of our life when we acknowledge our remaining days – may your friend face hers knowing how deeply her life touched yours and ours…

i read your message with a heavy heart. i have a friend who is days or weeks away from the end of her life with stage four cancer. she is one of those wonderful people who is just a beam of light. i always thought that i had all the time in the world to be closer to her as we’ve always seen each other as kindred spirits. there’s no more time now and i go to hold her hand now with such wrenching sadness. she is only 35 years old. i just cannot stop thinking of her and all that she accomplished and loved….she has lived her life so voraciously and with so much love.

I’m so sorry to hear your news. There are no words in a situation like that.

Yesterday I found out that someone that I knew through work died suddenly. He had an acute brain hemorrhage. He was 41.

Last February I lost my Father-In-Law to Lung Cancer after a brief 5 month battle. I thought I’d have him around a long time and loved him like a father. He was 61.

I always read your blog although I don’t comment often. I had to comment on this one.

This is the most important post that you will ever write and hopefully one that people will take to heart.

There is nothing more important than enjoying the time that you do have, making the most of every day, spending quality time with loved ones, realizing that possessions mean nothing in the end and the importance of making your dreams come true.

Thank you for writing this. You mentioned how often you hear people say “I wish I could do that” and wondering how many people make the steps to realize their dream…..my dream has always been to go to Africa. I’ve been on life-support because of an illness twice in the last 5 years. My parents and husband were prepared by the doctor’s that I wasn’t going to make it.

I need a new car. I want new furniture. I need, I want, I want….but those things can wait. Instead of those things I have booked my trip to Africa for 2011. (and while I’m looking forward to it more than I have with anything in my life before….I’m not wishing away the time inbetween.)

Well stated David. May we all just be moved even a little by your message and the world would be better for it.

Just yesterday I received a birthday card from my Mother. As a child I always admired her handwriting. She used a big, open, cursive script that reflected her warm and generous personality. Her handwriting still bears some of that, but it now less assured, less steady and in so many ways more fragile.

David, thank you for this post. You’ve given me fresh reason to cherish the time I have with my family. My thoughts go out to your friends mentioned above.

Thanks for sharing David.

Wish I had good advice like everyone else here – I just dont.

Again, thank you and our thoughts go out to everyone you mentioned in your post.

Thank you for this post. I will be quitting my miserable job in a few weeks. Whatever the future holds from that move it will be a step forward. I wish I had done this years ago but in doing it now I hope I am wasting less of my remaining time.

woops http://www.jillrosellphotography.com

Firstly I must thank twitter for connecting me to you this evening… and secondly your beautiful post on your blog. I am actually from NZ and live in Bend OR – my perfect place on the planet right now. I think spending time in NZ will be the perfect thing for you! The beauty will astound you and the people warm you. It is clear that you get what most people don’t , you are listening to your inner self and best of all you are doing something with it. I look forward to checking out your work and hearing about your trip. If you want some tips on where to go what to do please email me. Have an amazing journey down under.

Love your post today David & this has struck a chord with me. I lost my father this year also to brain cancer. It’s been a tough year.As I write this I look over at a poster by my desk that a monk made for me in Vietnam a few years back. “Living in the Present, How Beautiful this very moment is”. My thoughts & prayers to your friends.

Thank You. You are totally & completely right. 🙂

David, thank you for the wonderful & timely post. I’m praying for your friends and you, as you encourage us. At 71 I have been thinking about what I may and should accomplish with my remaining days. As you have pointed out so well, thinking & wishing are not enough. We have to act. A copy of your post will remain on the top of my desk as a constant reminder to do what is important. Bless you!

I don’t know who you are (linked here from a Dane Sanders post) but you seem to know just what I needed to hear today. Thank you for taking the time to write your inspiring post. Peace and prayers to you and your friends.

Perfect post for me to read. I just loved it, every word hit home.

Great post David! Today was “one of those days” so the words are well received.

Compared to someone facing a terminal illness, my problems seem trivial; however, they are all too common.

For the past 20 years I have worked at a job I despise? Why, oh why? Because in the process of discovering myself I also have taken on several committments that require stability, are long term and not conducive to quick changes in direction. As they say “too soon old, too late smart.”

If I could do it again knowing what I now know, here’s what I’d do differently: 1. Never take a job for the money. 2. Figure out what you are good at as quickly as possible. 3. Get things sorted in the following order, a) Career, b) Partner and c) Family 4. Rent, don’t own. Your things end up owning you, not the other way around. 5. A coward dies a thousand deaths, the hero dies but one. 6. Regret is the heaviest burden.

Great post David … I came a whisker away from being hit by a car this morning while walking across the street to get a coffee, and your post reminds us all how short it is. Thank you.

Peace – Justin

For years I had to fight with depression, now with a new person in my life she got me to see how I do love my photography. So now with meds and therapist and my photography ( one year now with my dslr camera) I can’t afford classes so I get tips from on line friends from facebook and my yes I like it or no not this one.. You see David depression is so bad for some of us that it hurts and no one understand unless they are going through it too. I lost my sons and now to be ex husband cause they didn’t understand how bad I was..

David, Thanks for posting this. It is more valuable than you know. My prayers go out to your friends. As a cancer survivor myself I can relate. I work hard, save and take the trips, make the shots, whatever. Get your money’s worth every day!! My wife and I are bringing our two boys to China and Tibet next summer on a teacher’s salary. It can be done. The main reason this is great timing is that I was feeling real bummed because my wife’s car died today. It is done. It will cut into the trip fund and I was frustrated. Thanks for the reminder that it is just a piece of metal. We are just fine! Much Peace and Respect David! PS, I still want to buy you a beer!

I couldn’t agree more. This is why I left my job earlier this year. Swaziland did it to me… seeing all those HIV orphans and widows made me really see how precious life is. And I didn’t want to give the best years of my life to my job.

I have no idea how things will turn out. It’s early days still. But there is no way to lose in this situation.

Praying for your friends… and all those others facing the fragility of life tonight.

Great post – lovely sentiment, well said!

BTW I’m based in NZ, in New Plymouth – hit me up via website if I can help with anything on your trip.

Cheers Grant

David, If God was ever trying to get to someones heart… Wow. I have just finished a heartfelt prayer for your friends, and yourself. Thanks for being a man willing to put himself out there. Thanks for following your heart, Laurie

Thank you for this entry. You are so right. I need to remember this everyday and worry less about the future. Live in the now. I will pray for your friend and his wife that they find healing and understanding in this difficult time.

David you are so right! My dad also have leukemia and I see how sad is he because he doesn’t have any more time to do all the things he wanted to do… Life is really short… it’s sad that we all just wish and don’t do anything… yes.. this is one of your best post ever… it really gives us something to think about …

Very inspiring post, David. Challenging in every way. I’ve posted a link on my Facebook wall, and sent prayers up for your friend.

Hi David, This is my first time posting here. I couldn’t be reading this at a more appropriate time in my life. I’ve been feeling something very similar for quite a while now. I finally stopped making excuses and took a month long trip recently. It was difficult to leave for such a long period of time, but like you said, work can wait. I came back with a renewed perspective and passion on life.

Thank you for sharing your heartfelt words. My thoughts are with you and your friends.

Thanks David for such a heartfelt post. My heart goes out to your friends.

I’ve spent the past year battling cancer and there is nothing like it to give you a HUGE wake-up call. I used to tell my husband that it wasn’t IF you get cancer, it was a matter of when but it still shocked me to get the news.

I now push my friends to follow their dreams now, take those vacations because I tell them to look at me and realize things can change in an instant and your whole life gets turned upside down.

Good thoughts for you all, take care.

I said it to you once to you in person and I will say it again on here. Thank you for continuing to live your dream as well as writing about it. Even with a positive and a tenacious attitude, I find we are all subject to the same live forever mindset from time to time. It does not have to take a near death experience to realize that we should open up our eyes as wide as they can be opened, face our challenges and create a life as fun and vibrant as we are all capable of.

I am thankful for this post like many others and I appreciate you being willing to share some of your passion with whomever is listening.

Lots of love to your friends

Amazing post… even more profound when read after returning from a funeral home.

Way to go, bro.

Great post…my thoughts & prayers are with my friends & your friends that are going through such terrible times ?

Inspiring post as always.

Is it wrong to point out that everything you wrote is, for all it’s brilliance, common sense?

We ALL know that time is limited so why does human nature make it so that the majority of people choose to ignore the fact?

We owe it to ourselves, and to humanity, to live our lives to the full.

David, Thank you. Praying for your friends.

There is alot of truth and wisdom in your words. Our time on this earth is limited and I am guilty of telling myself that there is time and I will get to it soon. Even after an illness that almost ended my life a few years ago I still have not changed. Your words I will keep where I can refer back to them occasionally and maybe they will sink. Prayers to your freinds and God be with you in your travels.

Thanks for sharing from your heart and rattling me awake! You are right, life is short. I’ll be adding your friends to my prayers.

Thanks for your reminders of the brevity of life and to do while it is still called today for we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

While I can’t possibly know what exactly your friends are going through or how they feel, my family lost my sister in law to a brain tumor 7 years ago (she was 28, leaving behind my brother and their 3 year old daughter) so they will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you again for your always thought provoking, honest and edifying blog posts.

Wow, what a heartfelt and beautifully written piece. I’ll confess I had tears in my eyes about two paragraphs in.

All so true – thank you for this invaluable lesson in life!!!

Thank you for taking the time to say all of these things. For you and your friends, may you find the strength when it’s needed, and then wonderful and happy memories to get you through a horrible time. If you are ever in Santa Barbara, please let us know so we can meet you.

Wow – like others, I really needed this. Even if we can’t quit our day jobs, we can re-prioritize so that we spend our time on what counts in every moment.

I’m so sorry about your friends, and am sending them good thoughts.

Excellent post and very well stated. Sone people develop their whole lives based on how they will make money, other than how they will make their own time. I personally coin this action as “hustling backwards” meaning trying to obtain the material aspects prior to establishing the mental needs. Once the hustle has started, regardless of which direction the reversal is a challenge. This ideal needs to be taught in school . Thanks David

THANK YOU David, this was one of the most important posts I have ever read. My thoughts are with your friends and with you as you embark in a new adventure. I know that you will live everyday of your journey to the fullest, as every one of us should.

God bless and prayers will be said.

I learned to hate the word Cancer 3 years ago when I learned I had lymphoma. News like that changes everything for you, your family, and your friends. Everything you and your followers wrote is true – we each cope in our own way. My prayers go out to your friends at this difficult time. I hope they and you find peace. Thank you for your post.

You are one heck of a writer and one heck of a person. Wise words here. (Guy Tal mentioned this post, so I came here to read what you had to say.)

Sorry to hear about your friend(s). We all tend to forget we have a one way ticket to this miraculous planet and thus, what’s really important in life.

We feel so helpless when someone we love is beyond our help, but the one thing we can do is “be there.”

To love and be loved is no small thing, no matter how much time we have, so love them well and take good care of yourself as well.

Thanks for being open enough to share your feelings and life, along with your work.

Thank you for the reminder. I hope you find peace.

I am a firm believer that things always come to you when you need them, and your writing here is one of those such “things”. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart ….

So true David -thank you for sharing. It is so easy to lose sight of what’s important in life. Sending positive thoughts and white light to your dear friends.

Life is short and probably unfair too.. I had no clue (seriously) about how sucky or beautiful life is… one day I get a call from a friend saying his father expired.. he was extremely friendly and close to all of us.. it’s hard to accept the fact for me (think about him..) one thing for sure is NOTHING IS FOR GRANTED.. bomb blasts, burglaries, natural disasters, plane crashes – everyday news is filled with disturbing stuff.. I have started to think may be we take life too seriously.. the entire Universe is so huge (huge is also probably defined but not the Universe.. :)) and what are we in it? I sometimes feel like we are like those tiny little bacteria that can’t even be seen when you take the whole Universe or even this world for comparison… our only problem is – we are human.. we not only can experience pain but can display the emotion more than any other living being.. as you rightly said .. stay as long as you are destined to.. be good and do good.. have the least expectations from this world.. be a giver and a not a taker ..atleast not all the time (since we are only human..) we would never have known about a disease or have cure for it until someone in past had suffered from it.. so in the billion years that life existed on this earth there have been millions who have gone thru what you did.. I can’t believe the realization of life I experience after my friend’s father’s death.. well.. anyways.. there’s lot to say about this subject 🙂 take care all you guys.. my prayers are on for your friends too David..

This is how Arnt (my husband of 32 years) and I have lived our life….we look back on our life and would not have done anything different. We realized very early on that we had adventures in us and did not want to wait until we were “retired” so we really never had proper jobs…but we own our own home and studios now and have stuff! People always say “you are so lucky” or “how do you have this life” and we always say “we are not lucky, we plan it and just do it” …. some have listened and fulfilled their dreams and unfortunately some are still complaining…hopefully they will see the light! Too many of us are leaving this earth way too early…my heart goes out to you and your friends.

Great notions, but so hard to act … fear is the enemy. I realized this a couple of years ago, and try every day, to do something that scares me, hoping that someday I’ll have the courage to take the big steps.

Always great to hear similar advice from people I respect as much as you. Thanks

I’m so sorry for you and your friends. I truly know how it feels and that only you (I) can do something with our lives.

My mother died at 39, when I was 10; my husband died at 39 of leukemia; my dear brother died at 59 before he could fulfill a simple dream. I ain’t waitin around. I left work at 53, bought an RV, and traveled north america, baja, Alaska, etc. I had always wanted to see a desert bloom (I’m from NE), so I’ve spent several springs in the southwest. I always wanted to see the tree frogs of Costa Rica, and photographed them in 2008. I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, and will next April. People say “I wish I could do what you’re doing” and I tell them that if they want it bad enough they will.

I believe the first step on the way to doing/being what you want is to admit that only you can do it. If you have to do something you don’t prefer on your way to what you do, then find peace with that and continue toward your goal. Accept who/what you are NOW, and prepare for who/what you want to be THEN. And I wish you a long time to enjoy it!

Oh my ~ this couldn’t have come at a more meaningful time. Our community suffered a sad and tragic loss this last weekend. A teacher much loved who has been a mentor, a friend, a sweetheart. The entire community is devastated. The events have made me step back and reevaluate life and remind me what is most important. Thank you for writing it all so well, my thoughts are with your friends.

Thank you David for this reminder. I am spending time with my grandson. My daughter – his mom lives in France and they came for a visit (6 weeks). I took off work so that I could spend ALL the time with them. My boss said “You must be crazy!” when I told her. I said “No, I just wanted to spend as much time as I could with them before they had to go back.” Skype is great but the real thing is better!! I will keep your friends in my prayers.

Thank you David. I so needed your words. I wish I could quit my job right now to pursue my dreams, whatever they might be… sadly I can’t for what I think are good reasons. But I will make it happen.

Thank you David, not just for saying these things but for living them for it is the living examples of what is possible that show others that it truly is possible. I will certainly send some “metta” (loving kindness) to your friends and everyone else as well because if we’re not out there living then we are already dying. Take care, from a fellow explorer.

Inspiring! I just left my job today to pursue a career in photography and this is just the extra words I needed to hear. Thank you!

David, you are 200% right! I’ve seen people at work die shortly after retirement, or shortly before and even one young man and father in a motorcycle accident. They all had plans for their future … I’m absolutely with you on doing what I want as soon as I can. On the other side, we should be thankful for everything we have already gotten or done. A friend of mine once told me when I was complaining about things I wasn’t able to do: “don’t wish your life away”. He meant that I shouldn’t complain about what I didn’t have, but cherish what we have.

David, you’ve offered a wonderful tribute to your friend and his wife. May they make the most of the days they have left together and realize that love never ends. And your heartfelt thoughts on making each day count is a valuable wake up call for all of us. Bless your friends and bless you for caring and sharing this message.

David: Thank you. I will pray. Marshall

Live the life without tomorrow is a good thinking. When you sleep, imagine what if you won’t wakeup in the morning.

Beautifully said, and so very true.

My mother died from cancer about three years ago. She was still a child in her 60’s. She still had too many dreams to chase. I realized then what you have just said in your post. Life is too short and tomorrow could be too late. I decided to pull the steer and start chasing my own dreams from that moment… but I was so afraid…I felt fear from my head down to my toes… Then, about a year ago I knew about a photographer called David DuChemin, and started to follow him on his blog…In early 2010 I read “VisionMongers” and everything changed. I really started to walk towards my dreams. I still feel fear for having quit my ‘good’ job and become what I really wanted to be: a full-time photographer. Anyway, I think I’m beating the “Resistance”, and that’s because YOU helped me open my mind. You light the way somehow. Thanks so much David!

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“How beautiful is youth, that is always slipping away! Whoever wants to be happy, let him be so: about tomorrow there’s no knowing.”- LORENZO DE MEDICI (1449-1492)

David, I am very sorry to hear about your friend. I will be praying for her.

I really appreciate your post. It is as if you have been rifling around in my thoughts. For the past year I have been having this very discussion with my wife and several of my friends. Life is to brief to live it for stuff, ease and a pain free existence. Hard choices, pain and risk are where the beauty of life is truly experienced.

On a somewhat related note. I have been meaning to ask you. Does your wife travel with you? I know you travel quite a bit and I have always wondered how you balance being an world photographer and a husband. As a husband I have been thinking through this as I make plans for a career change. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

I think this is possibly your best post. Don’t get me wrong, I love your “normal” posts and your books but sometimes one just needs a good smack in the face.

Unfortunately, I think we all have stories too similar to yours. I have a close family friend that has lung cancer and has been given 3 months to live.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you friends and all those that have loved ones suffering.

Thanks David: I turned 79 this month and as I look back on my life I realize how many plans were set aside, how many dreams were unrealized. But on the whole it has really been great, I’ve done a lot, seen a lot, painted up a storm at times and shot 50,000 images with some great cameras. But mainly I have loved and been loved and in the end that is what really matters. Plus I still wake up every day and plug away at getting better, not just at photography. It doesn’t matter if never catch up with Ansel. It is the journey that counts. Enjoy New Zealand, I sure did. Dick K.

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Your echoing a lot of what I’ve been feeling lately. I’m still working a soul-sucking IT job, but I’m pushing hard to get the “emerging” part out of being an emerging photographer 🙂

Metta to you and your friends.

thanks david. life is short and we always can’t replay the time we use to be with people even we have some excuses.

WELL SAID!!!!!

This particular entry of yours has hit so close to home for me, personally. I’ve recently lost an immediate parent to cancer a few weeks ago. HIs death has brought some good: the awareness of how short life is and how all the rest of the trivial things we tend to cling onto, things that impede us from moving on, has no meaning anymore. What matters now is moving on and realizing myself and how I want to value more of my life.

Having to see this post on my RSS feed just reinforces what I want to express to others as well. Thank you for this.

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thanks once again David. Resonates very strongly with us – we’re making and have made steps in the right direction. with you all the way. peter berg

Greetings David . . . I found your “sermon” to be a profound reiteration of how I see life. I’m so sorry to hear about your friends. Death is the one equalizer that brings us all to your knees. I will keep them in my prayers as requested. I learned of this through Michael Frye’s post on FB. We live in a world connected by an incredible web. Thanks again for the reminder that life is short and living it passionately is so important! God’s peace be with you and your friends. Todd

Thank you for sharing, David and for echoing what I believe many individuals (including myself) are feeling who have day jobs and who are considering switching vocations. Following and trusting myself and my passion is probably one of the most important (and most difficult) things that I’ve had to learn to do in my life. Along the same vein as what you say in your blog, and not to hijack the thread, but for those where David’s message really resonates with you, you may want to do a Youtube look up for Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford University commencement speech. That was really the turning point in my life where I decided to follow my dreams despite the difficulty that would be involved.

David, bless you. We found you because of your photography. We stayed because of your humanity. You have a credit of one, big, bear hug. Cheers, Wayne

David, you are so right. My wife and I are on a year long trip traveling throughout Australia because we recognize that life truly IS short and this is something we had to do before it is too late. So get to NZ, get in that camper or whatever and travel across Canada or the States or where ever with your family for a year and truly live, while you still can.

“Time is not money, it is an opportunity to live before we die.” Donald Culross Peatty

Would that we all come to that realization.

Well said, David! The marketing powers in our society scream at us that we will reach almost nirvana if we just buy that and that, and we strive harder and harder to achieve our (most often) financial goals. My aunt died of lung cancer 2 years ago; my motner-in-law died 14 days after having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just 2 months ago, and my mother, luckily survived breast cancer some 7 years ago. This post is not about them, but it struck me, that even if I from their stories should have learnt that life is very fragile, I have still kept on, burning my own candle in at least 2 ends. Your post opened my eyes, really!

“All life is Holy, Life delights in Life”, William Blake

so we delight in you too David – thank you for saying this reality to passionately and eloquently. Yet, the most we can do is live our authentic selves with no recriminations, right. See my Haiku: Isness: In doing to be – yourself, one with the moment – a snowflake melting

cheers, and blessings, Brian

I hate it when someone makes me wake up. But then again I need to. Thanks for ringing the alarm bell.

Powerful. Beautiful. Glad I read this.

Thank you David for posting your open heart.

xxooxxoo to you and your friends.

Wow, that’s pretty powerful. Time to generate some momentum….

Quite simply… thanks for posting and all the best to your friends.

Thank you David!

This is so good to hear … I’m right in the middle of making some changes. Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with cancer (lymphoma), had the works, surgery, chemo and radiation. Now I’m two year free and counting. I continue to struggle between giving up my safe career path of computing and really reaching for the stars with something that I consider more meaningful, maybe it’s photography, maybe it’s something else … but there comes a point when we have to let go of everything we think is real and safe and to cast off into the unknown and to trust in something bigger, if I don’t then I’m already dead.

Thank you David

Great words. In early 2009 I took a midnite stroll right off the edge of a 40′ cliff. A surgeon friend put it bluntly that I was lucky to even wake up, given I had a head injury.

To this day, I try to keep the reminder to not let the small stuff get to me, and to cherish each day as if it was the last. It’s not easy, and I often fail.

The important thing is to be mindful of our frail and brief time, and what’s important. Posts like yours needs to be repeated & shared; often.

Totally true, David, and this is what I need right now to keep going through this hard situation . . . Thanks! Hope God help your friend and if there is not way back, that she goes in peace to a better place. Love.

David, you are spot on with your post. We all feel that life is long, but in the grand scheme of things, it is only a blink of an eye. We believe that the tangible things are important, but in reality a gentle smile or a “thank you” means much more. Keep up your great spirit!

Amen brother! Thank you for being so frank. Prayers are on the way. This is your best post ever!

My wife and I have talked of this very topic many times over our 40 years together (and counting). We know many people that do nothing but work and have no real life outside.

We made a pact upon marriage to pick up a new sport every year. We did that for the first 15 years, and the memories and experiences still give us lots of stories for the nieces and nephews.

We then started to travel, and make a point of 5 weeks of vacation each year — 3 weeks in a new country we have never been too, plus two other 1 week trips revisiting places. Work only gives 2 weeks vacation, so I just tell my boss(es) that I will take 3 unpaid, and if they don’t like it, I’ll go work somewhere else.

We are now near retirement, and making plans to move to Central America or South America or New Zealand or Austrailia or… the possibilities are endless, but we expect to start our next 20 years of exploration soon.

Thank you, David!

David, Wonderful post indeed, so true. As I get a bit older I realise time accelerates! You really must appreciate the here and now and do your best to make it worth appreciating.

And that line about picking up the guitar, losing weight and the French lessons – holy mother of figs, have you been watching me? 😉

Strength & Length of days to you!

Beautifully written David. You”ve given me a needed booster shot! Success in all your future endeavors.

Wow! Thanks David for that post.

Agreed. Thank you for that.

All true things you say. But even if every one of those dreams was followed and achieved — would it be enough? I don’t know about you, but my own experience has shown me that my desire is infinite; with every thing I achieve that I had dreamed would bring me satisfaction, I find myself wanting something more. The satisfaction is temporary and fleeting. Why? Because we are made for the infinite, and only the infinite will suffice.

Yes, dreams are important and should be followed. But the answer to your happiness is here and now; it is in whether you live your circumstances — whatever they might be — with the awareness that you are destined for the infinite, and that in fact, the infinite has already entered history and is with you.

Thank you for the chance to share my own little sermon. My prayers are with you and your friends.

Very nice post, David. We all need constant reminders of how precious our time here really is, for how quickly we forget that this gift will not last forever, or even a day. My thoughts and prayers go out to your friend and his wife. And my thanks go out to you for sharing so much with all of us.

Best post. Ever.

I will send prayers your friends way. As I know as well, life is short, having lost both of my siblings tragically last year. I love this blog – it’s so true. We place so much meaning on the trivial things in life and sometimes not enough on the things that really matter. It’s easy to get caught up in that, and to feel sorry for yourself. I know some days I’m still there, trying to heal. I’m preparing for a 2 level spinal fusion on 11/24 and have been feeling sorry for myself. But I have to keep a bigger perspective, knowing that I will do this, come out stronger, happier, and I’ll be able to be a little more speedy to chase those elusive dreams down. Much positive thought and prayer to your friend and his wife. It is unjust and unfair; somtimes it makes me wonder why these things happen. Melissa

I just wanted you to know… I’ve been a “fan” of yours for quite some time…I’ve bought all of your books, many in both paper and ebook versions, I’ve drooled over your photographs and sighed over your words of encouragement (and even more so your words of angst, which encourage me onward)…I’ve wished and hoped that “I could do what you are doing”…I am one of those people! And, I have taken the leap…forward! I made myself completely available for the possibility…and the possibility just walked into my life, as if it had been standing at the door all along. I will be traveling this year with an NGO doing amazing work with Burmese refugees…as their documetary photographer. I wanted you to know. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For everything.

Wow – talk about timing. My dream photography job just got confirmed yesterday…and I’m scared crapless! I’ve been working towards this for years while holding down a job in a career that’s not me and in the last 24 hrs I have become fully aware of the inertia of a “safe”, known day to day life and how easy that all seems…and how attractive it is when I’m about to step out into the unknown…and I’m scared crapless. I wanted to thank you for sharing this post with such eloquence and passion. It’ll be one more weapon I can use against the wimpy part of me when it tries to convince me of how much easier it would be to crawl back into bed with the tv remote instead of taking charge of my life and seizing this opportunity. As each journey continues, I’ll keep your friends – and you as you take your next step – in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for sharing this. I will be praying for your friend and his wife.

I’m very thankful for this post. I’m unsure of almost everything in my life at the moment. I really took to heart all of your thoughts. It helped me to realize that it’s time that I step out in faith for what I believe.

Thank you for this post, David. A good friend of mine passed away three years ago of cancer – same age as me – and it was quite a wake-up call. You think you still have all this time to do things and keep putting it off. It certainly made me re-evaluate my priorities. Best wishes to your friend and his wife. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

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I was touched by your story and i hope you do not mind but i put link to the blog on my website.

Great post David. This is exactly why I left IBM and joined you in Kathmandu. My prayers are with your friend. Now is all we really have; thanks for sharing, safe travels.

Thanks for sharing David. My deepest sympathy to you and your friend. Life is cruel.

This post is very poignant for two reasons for me.

Firstly I heard today that one of my best friends’ dads passed away over night due to cancer. Only a few months ago he was fit and well and looking forward to the wedding of his youngest daughter. The family’s devestated and nothing I can say can make it better. Life is cruel.

The second reason is that I have been reflecting myself over the last couple of months that life is too short. I spend most of my life at work, overworked, overstressed, living for the weekend, just doing it to pay the bills. I have no time or energy to follow my passions though constantly battle with the feeling that a passion would always find the time or energy, leaving me to wonder what else I have. Life is cruel, and life is too short. But what do we do about it?

My sympathy and thanks again.

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Thank you David.

My heart goes out to your friend and his wife as my brother lost his battle to brain cancer 3 years ago. I’ll just add my prayers to those of everyone else. And also thank you for your words today. They are very important for me to hear/read. I’ve read most of your e-books but don’t often get to your blog. thanks so much!!

Thanks for this David and prayers to your friend and his wife.

Hey – consider this a gift card of 5 F-I-V-E Scandinavian bear hugs. Valid for one year. Coupon Codes are WW1 through WW5.

You’re a great photographer David, but you’re an even better human being.

Hi David –

My thoughts are with your friends.

I’ve been a fan of your e-books for a while now, but only just found your blog today. Great post, some things I needed to hear right now. Thanks. 🙂

Prayers are on the way for your friends, David. Thank you for sharing this today. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are living on borrowed time.

David, you are not the only one who shed a tear over this post.

Prayers to your friends David.

My husband and I are always saying – live in the NOW. It is all we have. I have had breast cancer and a serious colon-rectal cancer for which I am still having checkups. We are in the process of planning another trip to Europe. 30 years ago we put travel as #1 priority in our lives. Started what we call a “trip account” and to this day still add to it monthly. We have budgeted well and done a lot of travelling. Many times when I was sick knowing I had so many wonderful memories of the world I had seen – and no regrets – really helped. Life is not a rehearsal – just do it!!

Love reading your blog.

Well said, David. The older we get the faster time moves until we look back and 10 years of our “prime” are gone and few of the things on our checklist are done. For all any of us know (and those of us who have lost family too early know), there may be no “next year”.

Tough to balance pragmatism (saving money, doing the routine we all do most weeks) and truly living life to a fuller extent. My first piece of advice for everyone who feels time slipping away: turn off your damn television! You can’t think clearly or plan out your next adventure with the idiot box running. 😉

Thank you…that is all.

David, First off my thoughts and prayers go out to your friend and his wife. Having lost my wife of 28 years this past June, after a 17 year battle with breast cancer, I think about this every day. Every word you wrote is so true. -Steve

No just some “mojo”, but some definite prayers going out to your friends, David.

Thanks for writing this David. It is something we all forget but shouldn’t. I’m one of those that is stuck in a miserable job and trying to figure out how to make a living at something I love. Your posts are an inspiration for me although sometimes tear jerkers, they keep me taking steps forward.

Thank you David ..I believe strongly in everything you just wrote in your blog..but as Aileen mentioned..sometimes a message comes to you just when you need it…somewhat like a swift kick in the backside. I send good energy to your friends who are having to endure this incredible trial and I hope to take these words to remind me of what is important on a daily basis..life is indeed short, go live!

Great post, David. I’ve been thinking this for the last few years. Lots of personal tragedies and trials that have reinforced that belief with me, as well.

One of my favorite bands in the world, NoMeansNo, is a Vancouver group who once wrote, “I got tired of waiting because i found out / There’s only a fine line between / Biding one’s time and waisting one’s time.”

Be well, stay strong and thanks for sharing, as always.

this is a week of too many life changing things happening to people in my world.

you are bang on.

good thoughts for your friends, and for you.

Thank you for this excellent post David! Nice to see you in Boudhanath in october. Greetings from Barcelona 🙂

Thank you so much for this post and sharing your heart! Sending mojo up for your friends and continuing to chase down those dreams.

this is exactly what i needed to read at the right time. Thank you David.

Amen. Mojo sent.

David: Blessings and peace to your friend and his wife.

You have just said in a (not so) few words, what I have been thinking myself for a long time. It is not that many people have not had similar thoughts but too few have acted on these ideas. You are absolutely right. Time is NOT money. You can not lend it or borrow it in absolute terms, but one can ‘invest’ it earn great returns.

We should, all mankind, deeply think about these things and spend our time wisely. Thanks for the blog and your wise and sometimes wide-ranging advice. Errol

David, this is a post which I find resonating strongly with what I’m feeling now. I thought I’ve always been living my life with the fullest passion I absolutely can, but when you wake up literally having to give yourself a positivity jab for months it became clear to me to listen to my heart.

I decided to let the whispers come through as a voice loud & clear – to shoot, travel, love as though tomorrow’s my last. Yes, I might be a fool for possibly getting my heart broken by taking a chance with someone. But I also know, if it is not done today we might not have a tomorrow to do so. And for my passion for travel & shooting, it is a love so strong in me that it’s the compass that directs me onto the future journeys I’m taking.

Having lost my aunt to cancer last year & running Terry Fox’s this year in memory of her, I was reminded despite it being a year without her laughter, I have a lifetime of memories to get me through it. All the best to your good friend.

Thankful to have cross paths with you too, love & light – namaste xxxx

thanks for this david! …hoping for the best for your friend, his wife…and their family/friends.

Thank you David… and prayers for your friends.

Thank you, David. Needed this today.

HI David, Thank you for this post, a great reminder to all of us. I too went through a time like this in my life (5years ago next week).. and at that time I came to exactly the same conclusions as you… But still we need reminding. Daily life creeps in there and sometimes we forget. Thank you for this. Sending positive mojo their way! Wendy D PS Big changes are very good!

Thanks for the reminder David. Healing white light and energy going out to your friends, and to you as well. I leave in just 43 days for my third “trip of a life time,” and have more planned for the upcoming years:) Your e-books are coming with me on my little netbook – your wisdom and grace will travel with me in my head and heart. Thank you again and be well David – I look forward to following your journey. Lynn

Good for you David!! Please post more on this as you figure out what you are going to do. I’m currently looking to do something similar, except I’m looking for a small apartment to rent in NZ so I can spend the time just shooting my beloved LF.

thank you. i just love this post. sometimes things come to you when you need them. i needed this. bless you. A

My thoughts and prayers are with your friends. This post… I sit here with tears in my eyes. You are right, absolutely one hundred percent right in every word. Thank you.

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Life is short, and for good reason – here’s how to make it more meaningful

Professor, University of Sydney

Disclosure statement

Dean Rickles receives funding from The Australian Research Council, The John Templeton Foundation, and the Franklin-Fetzer Fund (through the Foundational Questions Institute).

University of Sydney provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.

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In 1605 the great Spanish novelist, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, wrote, through the mouthpiece of Don Quixote of La Mancha , that it is

the part of a wise man to keep himself today for tomorrow, and not to venture all his eggs in one basket.

But just how wise is this? I argue not at all.

It is the height of folly “to keep oneself for tomorrow” if one desires a meaningful existence, and simply leads to an un-lived life, filled with nothing but unrealised possibilities and what-might-have-beens. A wise person should surely live a real life?

Yet, for secular society at least, we appear to have taken this quixotic wisdom very much to heart. It seemingly forms the basis of financial portfolio optimisation where it manifests as the dictum that one should “diversify one’s portfolio” and not risk too much in one specific investment. On the surface this might appear to be a good, rational way to live: treat life like an economic problem (where this approach obviously has merit in terms of investment returns) and, above all else, minimise losses. The less we choose, the less we risk. After all, commitment often involves leaving the other options behind. It is risk heavy.

In the psycho-therapeutic context (borrowing from Carl Gustav Jung ’s theories), those that live as if time were unlimited, keeping all options open, are referred as Puer Aeterni : eternal children. It is precisely by grounding oneself in reality, committing to it, choosing some course of action, being decisive, and so on, that one grows up.

Puers live a merely provisional life, since it is essentially an exercise in reality avoidance. This state of being is no better than reading about tasting wine or hearing music, or watching someone else have an orgasm on a screen, and expecting that to be a sufficient proxy for experiencing such things in reality.

Jung was writing almost a century ago. Today, it is as though a peculiar force is driving us further and further from reality. With COVID-19 we found ourselves locked away, teaching and meeting over Zoom, which has persisted beyond the lockdowns. With the advent of “the Metaverse”, humanity faces the possibility of unplugging even more from the real world and from real life.

Of course, technology can be a wonderful tool, and I’m not dismissing the utility of Zoom and virtual reality (which, of course, might allow a more immersive version of Zooming), but we must be constantly on guard against succumbing to attempts to undermine our ability and our existential need to make choices that matter.

A society of people unwilling to commit to action that will affect the world for which they are responsible is tantamount to a society of children, whatever their chronological age. Indeed, the psychoanalyst Dan Kiley once recast this puer complex in terms of J. M. Barrie’s archetypal character Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, whose motto is

Stars are beautiful, but they may not take part in anything, they must just look on forever.

The puer might have “ecstasies innumerable” but find themselves, to quote Barrie again , “looking through the window at the one joy from which [they] must be for ever barred.” And so it is with those unable to commit to some specific future, person, job, etc. They cannot be said to properly live or to engage properly with the world and its inhabitants. They are already living in a kind of simulation.

Jung called this state “the provisional life.” Likewise, much earlier, the stoic philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca, in his book On the Shortness of Life , refers to a “tossing about” rather than a “journey,” which forges a path through the space of possibilities with intention, design, and often courage. Life is not merely existing. It is not just being there through the lapse of time.

Read more: What would Seneca say? Six Stoic tips for surviving lockdown

Commitment as a sacrifice

But perhaps we shouldn’t be quite so dismissive of the avoidance of commitment, as Kiley, Jung, and Seneca were. The world is indeed full of possibilities. But a world full of possibility is also full of uncertainty (the basis of the risk mentioned earlier). And from this uncertainty comes the anxiety of having to face the risking of decisions.

What is the ultimate source of this anxiety? I suspect it is the latent knowledge that each decisive action taken is simultaneously a kind of death; as much a destructive act as a creative or productive one, killing off alternatives to allow just a single one to live.

A commitment is thus a sacrificial offering of sorts, of the other possibilities – this is also a sacrifice to the possibility that is made actual, thereby magnifying its significance. The anxiety is the recognition that decisions can matter in a fundamental way, both for the decider and for the world around them.

Hence, the solution, assumed to be rational, is simply to not make any decisions and keep all options on the table. And, of course, since our space of possibilities is ever-shrinking as we age, we want to retain as many options as possible, viewing them as the very spring of life. But a life without limit can produce only a stagnant pond.

Such limits become most directly observed at a moment of crisis. There are times when we fully realise we stand at a fork in the road. That feeling is fear, because we know at such moments we are pruning away some possibilities in an irreversible way. Indeed, the very word “crisis” comes from the Greek word for deciding: krinein .

The fear is rational because it is a momentous thing. Often this comes at mid-life, of course, because we know that we are also at a turning point: at best, halfway to the end. At this point decisions seem to take on a greater magnitude precisely because our options are becoming more limited. Here, we find that death, like a beam of light, focuses as it narrows.

Ordinarily, we think of limitations (especially death, the ultimate limit) as things that disrupt our freedom precisely because they remove possibilities in this way. But, paradoxically, limits can be seen to give birth to freedom. And, furthermore, this freedom born of limitation is where a bounty of meaning lies for all of us.

Read more: Friday essay: on reckoning with the fact of one's death

Immortality is not a good idea

All of this clearly impacts the ongoing obsession with immortality . This is the biggest folly of all. Living forever, immortality, is not a good idea if you want a life of meaning.

While Seneca argued “it’s not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it,” I argue that life’s very shortness is, in fact, the primary source of its meaning. Life is short, and it is so for good reason.

The German philosopher Martin Heidegger defended a similar view in his book Being and Time, which is undoubtedly a work of genius, but there’s a friendlier version of the idea in the TV Series The Good Place (where the “good place” is the eternal afterlife).

In the penultimate episode, the inhabitants are offered a way out of a bland eternity and into oblivion, many gladly accept the latter precisely because meaning evaporates without limitation.

Read more: Kantian comedy: the philosophy of The Good Place

Death is the most important limitation of all because this finite boundary is required to enable the choosing of possibilities. It makes only some actual, along with the discarding of virtual possibilities.

Death allows us to build meaning into our lives. It leads to the very opposite of virtual reality. Life, through our choices, becomes a kind of reality-construction project. Here lies the bounty.

Of course, many lives are too short in order to generate much or any meaning in this way, when taken too young, for example. There is not much to say by way of justification for this. I certainly would say that while a finite, short life is required for meaning, meaning also demands that life have a duration sufficient to at least allow for the growth of a person to a certain level where they are capable of making choices and forging a path in the world. However, a long life does not necessarily contain more meaning than a shorter one. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once put it, acknowledging that we don’t always get to choose how long we have, “[i]t is not length of life, but depth of life” that really matters.

So while we take away the godlike property of being unlimited when we leave the provisional behind us and commit by making a decision and acting, we open the door to another godlike ability: the creative and cosmic power of choice, of actualising some possibility from the many available.

While it doesn’t seem like it, death is our greatest gift in terms of meaningful existence since it is the very source of choice, of having to decide, precisely due to its focusing effect.

Decisive action is you being in control of what happens. It is you happening to the world, rather than it happening to you. This is real freedom.

Dean Rickles’ book Life is Short is published by Princeton University Press.

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Essay on Life for Students and Children

500+ words essay on life.

First of all, Life refers to an aspect of existence. This aspect processes acts, evaluates, and evolves through growth. Life is what distinguishes humans from inorganic matter. Some individuals certainly enjoy free will in Life. Others like slaves and prisoners don’t have that privilege. However, Life isn’t just about living independently in society. It is certainly much more than that. Hence, quality of Life carries huge importance. Above all, the ultimate purpose should be to live a meaningful life. A meaningful life is one which allows us to connect with our deeper self.

Why is Life Important?

One important aspect of Life is that it keeps going forward. This means nothing is permanent. Hence, there should be a reason to stay in dejection. A happy occasion will come to pass, just like a sad one. Above all, one must be optimistic no matter how bad things get. This is because nothing will stay forever. Every situation, occasion, and event shall pass. This is certainly a beauty of Life.

Many people become very sad because of failures . However, these people certainly fail to see the bright side. The bright side is that there is a reason for every failure. Therefore, every failure teaches us a valuable lesson. This means every failure builds experience. This experience is what improves the skills and efficiency of humans.

Probably a huge number of individuals complain that Life is a pain. Many people believe that the word pain is a synonym for Life. However, it is pain that makes us stronger. Pain is certainly an excellent way of increasing mental resilience. Above all, pain enriches the mind.

The uncertainty of death is what makes life so precious. No one knows the hour of one’s death. This probably is the most important reason to live life to the fullest. Staying in depression or being a workaholic is an utter wastage of Life. One must certainly enjoy the beautiful blessings of Life before death overtakes.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Improve Quality of Life?

Most noteworthy, optimism is the ultimate way of enriching life. Optimism increases job performance, self-confidence, creativity, and skills. An optimistic person certainly can overcome huge hurdles.

Meditation is another useful way of improving Life quality. Meditation probably allows a person to dwell upon his past. This way one can avoid past mistakes. It also gives peace of mind to an individual. Furthermore, meditation reduces stress and tension.

Pursuing a hobby is a perfect way to bring meaning to life. Without a passion or interest, an individual’s life would probably be dull. Following a hobby certainly brings new energy to life. It provides new hope to live and experience Life.

In conclusion, Life is not something that one should take for granted. It’s certainly a shame to see individuals waste away their lives. We should be very thankful for experiencing our lives. Above all, everyone should try to make their life more meaningful.

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Life Is Short – Goals & Values in Life

What is your life’s purpose? What are your goals? Is the meaning of life the pursuit of happiness? These questions and many more have been debated for centuries. In this essay, you will be challenged to think about these questions in a new way.

Essay On Life Is Short | Purpose & Goals Of Life

Introduction

We all have goals in life, whether we realize it or not. For some, these goals might be to get a good job, make more money, or become a better person. But what if your goal is something that you don’t even know exists? That’s what I encountered when I set out to find my purpose in life.

I had always known that I wanted to help others and make a difference in the world, but I wasn’t sure how to go about doing that. So I decided to take on the challenge of figuring out what my true calling was. And after spending countless hours reading books, talking to experts, and exploring different paths, I finally realized that my true purpose was to help others find their own personal mission in life.

Now that I know what my goal is, it’s important for me to stay focused on it. If I ever lose sight of my purpose, I can easily fall into complacency or drift away from the things that matter most to me. But by staying true to my call and working hard every day towards realizing it, I know that everything will eventually fall into place.

Value of life

The goal of life is to be happy. This may seem like a simple statement, but it is one that can be difficult to achieve. Happiness is something that we can never guarantee, but we can endeavor to find it within ourselves. There are many different ways to achieve happiness, and each person has their own way of doing things. However, there are some general principles that can help us be happier.

One important principle is to have goals. Having goals gives us a focus in our lives, and it provides a means of measuring our progress. It also helps us set boundaries and resist temptation. Without goals, our lives can become aimless and unfulfilling.

Another key principle is to take care of ourselves first. When we take care of ourselves, we are able to take better care of others as well. We are also more likely to enjoy life and make the most of opportunities that come our way. Self-care includes things like eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. When we take care of ourselves, we are able to live fuller lives and be happier people in the process.

Importance of goals in life

Everyone has different goals in life, but all of them have something important to them. Goals give you a sense of purpose and direction, which can help you stay focused and motivated. Without goals , your life can feel aimless. Here are some reasons why goals are so important:

1. Goals keep you accountable. If you don’t have any goals, it’s easy to forget why you started working out or trying to improve your finances. When you set specific goals, you’re more likely to stick with your plan and see results.

2. Goals give you hope. When you have a goal in mind, you know that there is something worth fighting for. Even if the goal seems impossible at first, because it’s based on something worthwhile, that determination can get you closer to success.

3. Goals inspire creativity. When you set a goal, it opens up possibilities for new ideas and approaches that may not have occurred to you before. This can lead to new opportunities and discoveries, which can bring about real change in your life.

Conclusion 

We all know that life is short, but what does that mean for us? For many people, the shortness of life can be a motivator to do better and work harder. Don’t forget to enjoy life while you have it!

When we think about our goals in life, it’s important to not only focus on what we want to achieve, but also what we want to leave behind. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget about the things that matter most. Make sure to take time for yourself every day and enjoy your life.

Remember, life is too short to waste time on things that don’t matter. Make sure your goals are based on what will make you happy and satisfied in the long run. When you stay focused on your goals, you’ll be able to attain them no matter how short life may seem.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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THE BIG IDEAS

Life Is Short. That’s the Point.

Our mortality is not something to be overcome. It is integral to our humanity.

By Allison Arieff

Contributing Opinion Writer

Consider this fact of modern life: Nearly all of the technological products that we buy and use are designed with planned obsolescence in mind. They are built specifically to fail after a relatively short period — one year, two, maybe five. If you doubt that, think about how often you have to replace your smartphone. Gadgets are designed to die.

The irony, however, is that the same Silicon Valley culture that produces these gadgets seems to be obsessed with living forever.

Today’s “life extension” movement includes venture capitalists like the tech billionaire Peter Thiel pouring money into anti-aging and life extension start-ups. (While the rumor that Mr. Thiel receives regular blood transfusions from 18-year olds turned out to be false, there is, of course, an actual company — Ambrosia Plasma — that provides young plasma infusions for $8,000 a liter.) And Google launched the biotech company Calico to increase its “understanding of the biology that controls lifespan,” and bolstered that goal by conducting research on the long-living naked mole rat, a species that shows little to no signs of aging.

In recent years, the lure of disrupting death has become a hot industry. Paul Bennett, a partner at the design consultancy IDEO, was among the first to tap into it. A profile in The California Sunday Magazine in 2015 described an epiphany he had: “ ‘Oh,’ he told himself. ‘You need to redesign death.’ ” Since then, an entire new market has flourished. Death as a conduit for innovation. Death as a participatory exhibition. Death as the organizing principle for networking dinners. Death as an app.

There are now people who refer to themselves as “longevity entrepreneurs,” who see death not as a problem but rather as something to be eliminated. Instead of pursuing a good death, why die at all? Beneath the surface of this quest for eternal life seems to be an unwillingness on the part of its proponents to imagine the world without themselves in it.

In a very fundamental way, this tendency is inhuman.

In her new book, “Natural Causes: An Epidemic of Wellness, the Certainty of Dying, and Killing Ourselves to Live Longer,” Barbara Ehrenreich writes: “You can think of death bitterly or with resignation, as a tragic interruption of your life, and take every possible measure to postpone it. Or, more realistically, you can think of life as an interruption of an eternity of personal nonexistence, and seize it as a brief opportunity to observe and interact with the living, ever-surprising world around us.”

I was taken by Ms. Ehrenreich’s formulation, this notion that our experience of life, though unique to us, is just part of a broader continuum. Our time here is but a blip, and when we leave, the great world continues to spin. As such, the appreciation of our own lives has much to do with the ever-increasing awareness of its relative brevity. It is this — an awareness and acceptance of our own mortality — that makes us human. And it is the impetus, I’d argue, for living our lives to the fullest.

There was a brief period in my own life — less than two years — in which I got married, lost my mother to cancer, had a miscarriage, bought a house and gave birth to a child. Experiencing all this in so short a time span made me feel almost too human. That barrage of ends and beginnings left me intensely aware of the fragility of life as well as enthralled by the glorious intensity of it: I lost and simultaneously gained so much. Today this awareness of the temporal nature of it all leaves me determined to seize, observe and interact with the days that remain. It is the knowledge of how quickly, sometimes tragically, things can change or disappear that fuels my urgency to be in the present.

As a teenager I remember lamenting how horrible and unfair life was, only to have my parents respond that one couldn’t appreciate the good without experiencing the bad. Back then, hearing that was annoying; as an adult, it remains annoying, but it is also completely true.

It is rare for us to give much thought to the challenges we would face if there were no end to our time on earth. Would the condition of our bodies affect the condition of our minds? Would everyone live forever, or just those with the means to afford it? Could you opt out of eternal life? Would inequality dissolve, or would it become even more of an intractable problem? Would we still gain the empathy, wisdom and insight that can come with age?

Technological breakthroughs can be life-changing. But I believe that our humanity — our humanness — is inextricably intertwined with the fact of our mortality. And no scientific fountain of youth can ever cause that to change.

Allison Arieff is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, focusing on design and architecture.

Upcoming in The Big Ideas : essays by Martha C. Nussbaum, Ai Weiwei, Bernard-Henri Levy and others. Read the entire series here .

Now in print : “ Modern Ethics in 77 Arguments ,” and “ The Stone Reader: Modern Philosophy in 133 Arguments ,” with essays from the series, edited by Peter Catapano and Simon Critchley, published by Liveright Books.

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook and Twitter , and sign up for the Opinion Today newsletter .

Essays About Life: Top 5 Examples Plus 7 Prompts

Life envelops various meanings; if you are writing essays about life, discover our comprehensive guide with examples and prompts to help you with your essay.

What is life? You can ask anyone; I assure you, no two people will have the same answer. How we define life relies on our beliefs and priorities. One can say that life is the capacity for growth or the time between birth and death. Others can share that life is the constant pursuit of purpose and fulfillment. Life is a broad topic that inspires scholars, poets, and many others. It stimulates discussions that encourage diverse perspectives and interpretations. 

5 Essay Examples

1. essay on life by anonymous on toppr.com, 2. the theme of life, existence and consciousness by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 3. compassion can save life by anonymous on papersowl.com, 4. a life of consumption vs. a life of self-realization by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. you only live once: a motto for life by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 1. what is the true meaning of life, 2. my life purpose, 3. what makes life special, 4. how to appreciate life, 5. books about life, 6. how to live a healthy life, 7. my idea of a perfect life.

“…quality of Life carries huge importance. Above all, the ultimate purpose should be to live a meaningful life. A meaningful life is one which allows us to connect with our deeper self.”

The author defines life as something that differentiates man from inorganic matter. It’s an aspect that processes and examines a person’s actions that develop through growth. For some, life is a pain because of failures and struggles, but it’s temporary. For the writer, life’s challenges help us move forward, be strong, and live to the fullest. You can also check out these essays about utopia .

“… Kafka defines the dangers of depending on art for life. The hunger artist expresses his dissatisfaction with the world by using himself and not an external canvas to create his artwork, forcing a lack of separation between the artist and his art. Therefore, instead of the art depending on the audience, the artist depends on the audience, meaning when the audience’s appreciation for work dwindles, their appreciation for the artist diminishes as well, leading to the hunger artist’s death.”

The essay talks about “ A Hunger Artist ” by Franz Kafka, who describes his views on life through art. The author analyzes Kafka’s fictional main character and his anxieties and frustrations about life and the world. This perception shows how much he suffered as an artist and how unhappy he was. Through the essay, the writer effectively explains Kafka’s conclusion that artists’ survival should not depend on their art.

“Compassion is that feeling that we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives. When we know that there is someone that really cares for us. Compassion comes from that moment when we can see the world through another person’s eyes.”

The author is a nurse who believes that to be professional, they need to be compassionate and treat their patients with respect, empathy, and dignity. One can show compassion through small actions such as talking and listening to patients’ grievances. In conclusion, compassion can save a person’s life by accepting everyone regardless of race, gender, etc.

“… A life of self-realization is more preferable and beneficial in comparison with a life on consumption. At the same time, this statement may be objected as person’s consumption leads to his or her happiness.”

The author examines Jon Elster’s theory to find out what makes a person happy and what people should think and feel about their material belongings. The essay mentions a list of common activities that make us feel happy and satisfied, such as buying new things. The writer explains that Elster’s statement about the prevalence of self-realization in consumption will always trigger intense debate.

“Appreciate the moment you’ve been given and appreciate the people you’ve been given to spend it with, because no matter how beautiful or tragic a moment is, it always ends. So hold on a little tighter, smile a little bigger, cry a little harder, laugh a little louder, forgive a little quicker, and love a whole lot deeper because these are the moments you will remember when you’re old and wishing you could rewind time.”

This essay explains that some things and events only happen once in a person’s life. The author encourages teenagers to enjoy the little things in their life and do what they love as much as they can. When they turn into adults, they will no longer have the luxury to do whatever they want.

The author suggests doing something meaningful as a stress reliever, trusting people, refusing to give up on the things that make you happy, and dying with beautiful memories. For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

7 Prompts for Essays About Life

Life encompasses many values and depends on one’s perception. For most, life is about reaching achievements to make themselves feel alive. Use this prompt to compile different meanings of life and provide a background on why a person defines life as they do.

Take Joseph Campbell’s, “Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning, and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer,” for example. This quote pertains to his belief that an individual is responsible for giving life meaning. 

For this prompt, share with your readers your current purpose in life. It can be as simple as helping your siblings graduate or something grand, such as changing a national law to make a better world. You can ask others about their life purpose to include in your essay and give your opinion on why your answers are different or similar.

Life is a fascinating subject, as each person has a unique concept. How someone lives depends on many factors, such as opportunities, upbringing, and philosophies. All of these elements affect what we consider “special.”

Share what you think makes life special. For instance, talk about your relationships, such as your close-knit family or best friends. Write about the times when you thought life was worth living. You might also be interested in these essays about yourself .

Life in itself is a gift. However, most of us follow a routine of “wake up, work (or study), sleep, repeat.” Our constant need to survive makes us take things for granted. When we endlessly repeat a routine, life becomes mundane. For this prompt, offer tips on how to avoid a monotonous life, such as keeping a gratitude journal or traveling.

Many literary pieces use life as their subject. If you have a favorite book about life, recommend it to your readers by summarizing the content and sharing how the book influenced your outlook on life. You can suggest more than one book and explain why everyone should read them.

For example, Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” reminds its readers to live in the moment and never fear failure.

To be healthy doesn’t only pertain to our physical condition. It also refers to our mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. To live a happy and full life, individuals must strive to be healthy in all areas. For this prompt, list ways to achieve a healthy life. Section your essay and present activities to improve health, such as eating healthy foods, talking with friends, etc.

No one has a perfect life, but describe what it’ll be like if you do. Start with the material things, such as your house, clothes, etc. Then, move to how you connect with others. In your conclusion, answer whether you’re willing to exchange your current life for the “perfect life” you described and why.  See our essay writing tips to learn more!

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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On the Shortness of Life: Book Summary, Key Lessons, and Best Quotes

In his moral essay, On the Shortness of Life , Seneca, the Stoic philosopher and playwright, offers us an urgent reminder on the non-renewability of our most important resource: our time. It is a required reading for anyone who wishes to live to their full potential, and it is a manifesto on how to get back control of your life and live it to the fullest.

In fact, perhaps Seneca’s most famous quote comes from this essay:

It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.

Seneca urges us to examine the problems that result in life seeming to pass by too quickly, such as ambition, giving all our time to others, and engaging in vice. He argues that we have truly lived only a short time because our lives were filled with business and stress. How do we regain our time back? It is by studying philosophy, working towards meaningful goals, and not putting off the enjoyment of life.

Before we continue with the essay’s key lessons, a bit of background: De Brevitate Vitae, as it is known in Latin, is in fact addressed to Paulinus. This is most likely Pompeius Paulinus, a knight of Arelate and historians date it around 49 AD. What we find in reading the essay is that Paulinus was praefectus annonae, or the official who superintended the grain supply of Rome. We see this when Seneca is imploring Paulinus to transition from taking stock of the grain supply to taking stock of his life.

And if you’re new to Stoic philosophy , here is a bit of background on Seneca (although you are welcome to read our longer profile ): Seneca was one of the three most important Stoic philosophers, along with Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus . He is also infamous for serving as an advisor to Nero, one of the most cruel emperors. He is best known for this essay but also for his Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium, better known as Moral Letters to Lucilius , which we also highly recommend .

Below you will find key lessons from the essay, great quotes as well as our suggested translation to get. Just like Meditations by Marcus Aurelius , another imminently readable Stoic text, it will mark you forever if you let it.

Your Most Important Asset

“In guarding their fortune men are often closefisted, yet, when it comes to the matter of wasting time, in the case of the one thing in which it is right to be miserly, they show themselves most extravagant.”

Does it make any sense to value anything above your only life? Seneca certainly doesn’t think so. Yet we find ourselves trading our only life away to make others like us, to get money (which we cannot use in the grave), and be lazy, distracted and entertained.

The main reason that we do so, Seneca argues, we waste so much of our time is because we forget that it is limited, that we are going to die .

Seneca scolds,

“You live as if you were destined to live forever, no thought of your frailty ever enters your head, of how much time has already gone by you take no heed. You squander time as if you drew from a full and abundant supply, though all the while that day which you bestow on some person or thing is perhaps your last.”

Wasting time is the worst thing we can do to ourselves, but of course, there are many things and people that would take away our precious time. When Seneca says to be “miserly” with your time, he means it.

He implores us to be suspicious of any activity that will take a lot of time and be prepared to defend ourselves against unworthy pursuits.

It is with a similar reminder that Stoic Emperor Marcus Aurelius would urge himself in his Meditations , realizing the limited amount of time we have: “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” For that very reason we have created our memento mori (“remember that you will die”) medallion , a physical reminder to carry that sense of urgency in one’s pocket and not waste a second.

How Little Is Left Over For You

Seneca uses the example of highly successful Romans to demonstrate that great achievement comes at a high price: a life that rushes by, filled with obligations and empty of leisure. Seneca mentions that Augustus Caesar, considered one of the greatest Romans of all time, constantly wished aloud for a break from his many duties and desperately longed to live a leisurely life.

Seneca explains:

“This was the sweet, even if vain, consolation with which he would gladden his labors—that he would one day live for himself.”

Augustus spent his life in directing conquests, but ultimately did not even have control of his own life, because he was not free to use his time how he wanted. Seneca wanted to demonstrate that the greatness men strive for can be a horrible trap, an overwhelming river of responsibilities that washes away the only life we get. Seneca is making a powerful claim—it would be better to live as you choose than to rule the world.

The great Roman politician, speaker, and writer, Marcus Cicero, considered himself a prisoner in his large and luxurious home, simply because of his many obligations. He complained about the life he had, a life that many others surely envied, and one that certainly had potential to be enjoyable. Seneca is critical of Cicero’s complaint of being a prisoner, claiming that no Stoic could ever be a prisoner since he possesses himself in any circumstance, being above despairing about one’s fate. This is a brief return to the prescription of philosophy, especially Stoic philosophy, for the problem of a life that can seem to rush by uncontrollably while we scramble to do our work and please others.

How to Live With Duty and Purpose

Seneca believes it is important to make room for leisure in life, but a life of pure leisure is considered meaningless. He speaks of people who never have to lift a finger and have unlearned basic human functions as a status symbol, something that still occurs in our time. He says of such a man, “He is sick, nay, he is dead.” Purposeful living is required to truly live, as long as it is a purpose that one owns and controls.

Seneca is also critical of another type of excessive luxury, that concerned with making a show of everything and being fancy. He calls people who pursue this “idly preoccupied” and thusly wasting their only lives on vain pursuits. He condemns those concerned about the appearance of their hair, which could be extended to anyone who fusses over their looks, and claims they are not truly at leisure. By focusing on how we look, we are wasting our most precious resource of all, time.

There are endless other distractions this lesson can be applied to, especially in modern times, where we invest a lot of life force in our presence on social media. An interesting way to conceptualize this is to think of the screen sucking your soul away while you browse Twitter and Facebook, or while you watch TV. Since our time is our only life, this is not an exaggeration.

Seneca is essentially prompting us to question our lives and ask: What proof do I have that I’m really alive? Many of us are living what might as well be considered a life of mere existence: lazing around and wasting our potential. But Seneca defines actual living as being in control of yourself and either enjoying yourself meaningfully and working towards goals that are important to you. He compares how most of us seem to live to a boat that has never left the harbor:

“For what if you should think that that man had had a long voyage who had been caught by a fierce storm as soon as he left harbor, and, swept hither and thither by a succession of winds that raged from different quarters, had been driven in a circle around the same course? Not much voyaging did he have, but much tossing about.”

Summary & Key Takeaways

The most important lesson of On the Shortness of Life of course is that we need to value our time and avoid wasting it at all costs. Sure, we understand this intellectually but how many of us can actually say they truly live? As Maria Popova from Brain Pickings would observe , the essay is “a poignant reminder of what we so deeply intuit yet so easily forget and so chronically fail to put into practice.”

There is no shortage of things that take away our time and we must guard against them. To live this lesson, practice saying “No!” to many of the time-wasting things that you do, like trying to impress people or staring at a screen. Consider whether your potential actions are virtuous, will truly benefit you, and whether they are worthy of making up your only life. If not, commit to turning it down, even if it might cause others to be displeased with you.

The lessons from On the Shortness of Life urge us to take stock of how we have lived so far, and to count the time that has been truly lived, as opposed to filled with unworthy busyness and distractions.

What you can start doing today is to practice the Stoic art of journaling and start reflecting on how you spend each and every day. To borrow from Seneca, his favorite time to journal was in the evenings. When darkness had fallen and his wife had gone asleep, he explained to a friend, “I examine my entire day and go back over what I’ve done and said, hiding nothing from myself, passing nothing by.” Then he would go to bed, finding that “the sleep which follows this self-examination” was particularly sweet.

The final lesson we should take away from Seneca’s work, and a theme that is constant for the Stoics in general , is that we need to remember that we could die at any moment, and that barring some massive medical breakthrough, we have at most a few more decades left to live. We should find a way to remind ourselves every day that we are going to die, perhaps by placing Sticky notes in places we will see every day. You might feel like you don’t forget that you’re going to die, but do you think about on a regular basis? Does it inform your decision-making? Most people can’t say yes to that, so we must do a little work to make sure we can.

10 Best Seneca Quotes from On The Shortness of Life

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested. But when it is wasted in heedless luxury and spent on no good activity, we are forced at last by death’s final constraint to realize that it has passed away before we knew it was passing. So it is: we are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it… Life is long if you know how to use it.”

“You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire”

“They lose the day in expectation of the night, and the night in fear of the dawn.”

“There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living.”

“The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today… The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.”

‘“People are frugal in guarding their personal property; but as soon as it comes to squandering time they are most wasteful of the one thing in which it is right to be stingy.”

“Even though you seize the day, it still will flee; therefore, you must vie with time’s swiftness in the speed of using it, and, as from a torrent that rushes by and will not always flow, you must drink quickly.”

“Of all men they alone are at leisure who take time for philosophy, they alone really live; for they are not content to be good guardians of their own lifetime only. They annex every age to their own; all the years that have gone before them are an addition to their store.”

“It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it. Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested.”

“The part of life we really live is small. For all the rest of existence is not life, but merely time.”

Cicero said that he was “half a prisoner.” But, in very truth, never will the wise man resort to so lowly a term, never will he be half a prisoner—he who always possesses an undiminished and stable liberty, being free and his own master and towering over all others. For what can possibly be above him who is above Fortune?”

Best Paid & Free Translation of On the Shortness of Life

We recommend Penguin’s On the Shortness of Life edition translated by C.D.N Costa which includes two other great short pieces of writing from Seneca. It is a beautifully designed edition and fits perfectly in your back pocket. You can also read the essay for free online here , a translation by John W. Basore.

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Seneca On Coping with the Shortness of Life

Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca offers timeless advice for how we can face up to the fleeting nature of existence and live our lives without fear.

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I n his brilliant 49 CE essay On the Shortness of Life , Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca addresses his father-in-law, Paulinus, about the seemingly universal human complaint regarding the shortness of life: we are born, our existences rush swiftly by, and before we know it, we die.

In the face of this certain fate, how can we shake off the pervasive suspicion that, however we end up living our brief lives, we’re not making the most of them? How can we keep existential frets and despairs at bay?

Well, Seneca thinks our complaints about the shortness of life aren’t really justified: they reflect not the reality of our situation, but rather our malformed attitudes and responses to it. As he writes:

It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested. But when it is wasted in heedless luxury and spent on no good activity, we are forced at last by death's final constraint to realize that it has passed away before we knew it was passing. So it is: we are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it… life is long if you know how to use it.

So, life itself is not short but we make it short. How so? Well, here Seneca points out several human attitudes and behaviors that contribute to the feeling that life is fleeting. Let’s look at each one in turn, before exploring Seneca’s proposed solution for how we can live fulfilled lives and meet death without fear.

We do not fully appreciate the preciousness of time

F irstly, Seneca claims we do not fully appreciate the preciousness of time. We attribute value to things like money, belongings, and property, and guard them closely. But when it comes to our time — which, as Seneca puts it, is “the one thing in which it is right to be stingy” — we squander it without thinking. As he explains:

You are living as if destined to live forever; your own frailty never occurs to you; you don't notice how much time has already passed, but squander it as though you had a full and overflowing supply — though all the while that very day which you are devoting to somebody or something may be your last. You act like mortals in all that you fear, and like immortals in all that you desire.

The money, possessions, and status we chase and trade on in our day-to-day lives do not ultimately give us peace of mind or lasting pleasure. When death approaches, Seneca points out, we would exchange them all for a little more time:

People are delighted to accept pensions and gratuities, for which they hire out their labor or their support or their services. But nobody works out the value of time: men use it lavishly as if it cost nothing. But if death threatens these same people, you will see them praying to their doctors; if they are in fear of capital punishment, you will see them prepared to spend their all to stay alive. So inconsistent are they in their feelings.

“Feeble old men pray for a few more years,” Seneca continues: “they pretend they are younger than they are; they comfort themselves by this deception and fool themselves as eagerly as if they fooled Fate at the same time. But when at last some illness has reminded them of their mortality, how terrified do they die, as if they were not just passing out of life but being dragged out of it. They exclaim that they were fools because they have not really lived, and that if only they can recover from this illness they will live in leisure. Then they reflect how pointlessly they acquired things they never would enjoy, and how all their toil has been in vain.”

Born in 4 BC, Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher who tutored emperor Nero. Seneca's influence over Nero declined with time, and in 65 CE Seneca was forced to take his own life for alleged complicity to assassinate Nero — an accusation of which he was likely to have been innocent. His stoic and calm suicide has become the subject of numerous paintings, including the one above by Peter Paul Rubens, c.1614.

Why do we leave it until death approaches to suddenly recognize that time is the most precious resource we have? Seneca writes, “if each of us could have the tally of his future years set before him, as we can of our past years, how alarmed would be those who saw only a few years ahead, and how carefully would they use them!”

So why not start using our time more carefully now , rather than waiting until death is round the corner? For all we know, death could be waiting for us tomorrow. Indeed, Seneca says, “it is easy to organize an amount, however small, which is assured; we have to be more careful in preserving what will cease at an unknown point.”

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We are preoccupied with a future that doesn’t exist

A s well as placing too much value on possessions rather than time, another human attitude that makes life fleeting is that we tend to spend our day-to-day lives looking forward to a future that doesn’t exist.

For instance, many of us may have mentally allocated a future portion of our lives, say our retirement years, to when we’ll begin cultivating a more leisurely or fulfilling kind of lifestyle. But this is nonsense, Seneca argues:

You will hear many people saying: ‘When I am fifty I shall retire into leisure; when I am sixty I shall give up public duties.’ And what guarantee do you have of a longer life? Who will allow your course to proceed as you arrange it? Aren’t you ashamed to keep for yourself just the remnants of your life, and to devote to wisdom only that time which cannot be spent on any business? How late it is to begin really to live just when life must end! How stupid to forget our mortality, and put off sensible plans to our fiftieth and sixtieth years, aiming to begin life from a point at which few have arrived!

“No one will bring back the years,” Seneca emphasizes: “no one will restore you to yourself. Life will follow the path it began to take, and will neither reverse nor check its course. It will cause no commotion to remind you of its swiftness, but glide on quietly. It will not lengthen itself for a king’s command or a people’s favor. As it started out on its first day, so it will run on, nowhere pausing or turning aside. What will be the outcome? You have been preoccupied while life hastens on. Meanwhile death will arrive, and you have no choice in making yourself available for that.”

Being preoccupied with the future steals us away from enjoying and finding value in the present. We plan and try to control a future that is ultimately unknowable. We fidget in angst and boredom, frittering our lives away. We drum our fingers, looking ahead to the next event, longing for some kind of future amusement and wishing we could leap over the days in between. Yet when the anticipated event does come, the actual enjoyment is often brief, and as soon as it ends we once again become restless with nothing to do.

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In Seneca’s words, we “lose the day in waiting for the night, and the night in fearing the dawn.” Thus he scolds us:

Can anything be more idiotic than certain people who boast of their foresight? They keep themselves officiously preoccupied in order to improve their lives; they spend their lives in organizing their lives. They direct their purposes with an eye to a distant future. But putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune's control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.

We give away our lives to things that don’t matter

S o far, Seneca has established that we don’t value time, pay too much attention to possessions, and spend much of our lives preoccupied with the future. The next damaging aspect of human attitudes and behavior he targets is our tendency to chase honors and status. We obsess over climbing rank, Seneca argues — be it socially or in our careers. But does acquiring status and honor really add anything of lasting value to our lived experiences?

Ambition begets ambition, Seneca explains. What we strive so hard to achieve will, once we achieve it, never be enough:

It is inevitable that life will be not just very short but very miserable for those who acquire by great toil what they must keep by greater toil. They achieve what they want laboriously; they possess what they have achieved anxiously; and meanwhile they take no account of time that will never more return. New preoccupations take the place of the old, hope excites more hope and ambition more ambition. They do not look for an end to their misery, but simply change the reason for it.

We might delude ourselves into thinking, “once I achieve this , I’ll be happy” — but this is just the same poor reasoning of the preoccupied person. Rather than appreciating what we have and being content now , we put our happiness off for a later date, attaching it to a thing or circumstance beyond our immediate control.

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In this cycle of fleeting highs and endless desires, as Seneca puts it, “there will always be causes for anxiety, whether due to prosperity or to wretchedness. Life will be driven on through a succession of preoccupations: we shall always long for leisure, but never enjoy it.”

So, when we hear of ‘successful’ people — people of achievement — we should not envy them, for they have sacrificed their precious lives for something fleeting: “In order that one year may be dated from their names,” Seneca says, “they will waste all their own years.” He concludes:

As they rob and are robbed, as they disturb each other's peace, as they make each other miserable, their lives pass without satisfaction, without pleasure, without mental improvement. No one keeps death in view, no one refrains from hopes that look far ahead; indeed, some people even arrange things that are beyond life — massive tombs, dedications of public buildings, shows for their funerals, and ostentatious burials. But in truth, such people's funerals should be conducted with torches and wax tapers, as though they had lived the shortest of lives.

So how should we spend our time?

T he answer for how we should spend our lives, of course, lies in philosophy. “Of all people,” Seneca writes, “only those are at leisure who make time for philosophy, only those are really alive.” And why does Seneca place such value on philosophy as an activity? For three core reasons.

Firstly, by studying philosophy we allow the greatest wisdom from history into our lives, joining the treasures of the past to the glory of the present and thus elongating and enriching time.

As Seneca puts it, by studying philosophy “we are led into the presence of things which have been brought from darkness into light. We are excluded from no age, but we have access to them all; and if we are prepared in loftiness of mind to pass beyond the narrow confines of human weakness, there is a long period of time through which we can roam.”

Secondly, we can draw on the rich wisdom of philosophy for guidance on any and all challenges we face today. The writings of past philosophers will always be there, whenever we need them. They take nothing from us, and give to us whatever we need. As Seneca writes:

We can argue with Socrates, express doubt with Carneades, cultivate retirement with Epicurus, overcome human nature with the Stoics, and exceed its limits with the Cynics... None of these will be too busy to see you, none of these will not send his visitor away happier and more devoted to himself, none of these will allow anyone to depart empty-handed. They are at home to all mortals by night and by day.

Instead of chasing the company of those who may waste our time for the sake of status or supposed advancement, we should seek out the writings of humanity’s greatest thinkers instead. “None of these will force you to die,” Seneca notes, “but all will teach you how to die. None of them will exhaust your years, but each will contribute his years to yours. With none of these will conversation be dangerous, or his friendship fatal, or attendance on him expensive… What happiness, what a fine old age awaits the man who has made himself a client of these!”

Lastly, we should study philosophy because the knowledge we obtain — unlike the status or possessions or achievements we chase — is forever. Seneca writes:

Honors, monuments, whatever the ambitious have ordered by decrees or raised in public buildings are soon destroyed: there is nothing that the passage of time does not demolish and remove. But it cannot damage the works which philosophy has consecrated: no age will wipe them out, no age diminish them.

So living the life of a philosopher will grant us a full and long life, Seneca thinks, for “he is not confined by the same boundary as are others. He alone is free from the laws that limit the human race, and all ages serve him as though he were a god. Some time has passed: he grasps it in his recollection. Time is present: he uses it. Time is to come: he anticipates it. This combination of all times into one gives him a long life.”

As the Roman philosopher Lucretius also argues in his advocation of Epicureanism , when we treat time wisely and with respect, death becomes nothing to fear.

However, for those who have no time for philosophy, life will be very short indeed: “life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future,” Seneca writes. “When they come to the end of it, the poor wretches realize too late that for all this time they have been preoccupied in doing nothing.”

Where do Seneca’s words leave us?

S eneca’s forceful words are intended to jolt us away from living preoccupied lives. He argues that we hustle our lives along, denying the present and longing for the future. But if we recognize the preciousness of time and spend it attending to our own needs rather than chasing fleeting desires, if we organize every day as if it were our last, if we meditate on the wisdom of philosophy and embrace the present, then we can live long, rich, and fulfilling lives — even if their actual duration is short.

As Seneca reminds us:

You must not think a man has lived long because he has white hair and wrinkles: he has not lived long, just existed long. For suppose you should think that a man had had a long voyage who had been caught in a raging storm as he left harbour, and carried hither and thither and driven round and round in a circle by the rage of opposing winds? He did not have a long voyage, just a long tossing about.

Seneca’s On the Shortness of Life , though written almost 2,000 years ago, feels like it could have been written yesterday, so relevant is it to the same fears we live with today. Packed full of timeless wisdom about how to live a good life, it thoroughly rewards close reading.

Do you agree with Seneca’s arguments throughout? Do you think he’s successful in remedying some of our concerns about the shortness of life? Is it entirely clear that Seneca’s solution — attending to the present and studying philosophy — will help us overcome our preoccupations? Should we only invest our time in ourselves? Is it misguided to dedicate our lives to something other than ourselves? Or do you think Seneca’s point is more about removing inauthentic or fleeting pursuits from our lives, and placing value on things that truly endure and matter instead?

If you’d like to explore these questions further or learn more about Stoicism generally, check out our explainers of the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism , the dichotomy of control (a Stoic device for clearing your mind), the Stoic approach to emotion , as well as our reading list on Stoic philosophy , which features the best six books of and about Stoicism. Hit the banner below to access it now!

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• Essay on ‘Life’ for Students in English

About the Topic

Life is a single word with many different connotations and meanings. Above all, life is about more than just being; it's also about how one defines that existence. As a result, it's vital to think about life from several angles. Philosophers, academics, poets, and authors have written extensively about what it means to live and, more significantly, what are the essential elements that characterize one's existence. This exercise has, of course, been done in a variety of ways. While philosophers sought to understand the meaning and purpose of people's lives, poets and authors recorded the diversity of life at various times. As a result, life is likely to be more than exciting.

Life- Essay- Introduction

The adventure of living in the path of life. We are born, live our lives, and eventually pass away with time. We are attempting to shape our lives in this way. Everyone's life is different. Some people have a lot of problems in life, while others do not. Those who have never faced adversity in their lives have one perspective on life. Those that struggle in life have a different perspective. Life is frequently described as priceless. The various ways in which people seek to save lives reveal this even more clearly.

Every day, doctors and scientists try to discover innovative treatments that will help people live longer lives. Life is full of both joys and disasters. The ups and downs of life are what they're called. Without them, life is just a never-ending war that can be won at any time. To overcome one's grief, it is necessary to find happiness in one's life. Only then does life appear to be lovely? 

Students in Classes 1-6 can utilize this essay for their respective exams.0

FAQs on Essay on ‘Life’ for Students in English

1. What are tips to write a good essay on Life in English for students?

What is the best way to compose an essay? This is quite a difficult and important question asked by many students. For a variety of reasons, many different types of writing are considered "excellent." There is no such thing as a writing formula or programme. For students and expository writing, the traits listed above are very crucial.

Another attribute that isn't on this list yet is extremely significant is inventiveness. The best writing carries part of the author's personality and uniqueness. Follow the rules below, but always strive to make your writing your own.

An essay’s center should concentrate on a single obvious primary theme. Each paragraph should have a different core theme or topic sentence.

The main point of the work should be supported or expanded upon in each paragraph. The essential point of each paragraph should be identified and proven using examples, facts, and descriptions.

Each paragraph in an essay should be related to the main theme. A single point should be the focus of each paragraph.

An essay or paper that is properly organized should flow smoothly and "stick" together. To put it another way, the reader should be able to understand the text.

A paper should be written in whole sentences with few errors in grammatically correct standard English.

2. What is the importance of writing essays on life?

Writing essays helps students develop important abilities and functions in their education, making them more useful. One, writing essays allows students to practise and improve abilities that they can apply throughout their academic careers and into their careers. For example,

One can improve their reading and writing skills, as well as their capacity to think, organize thoughts, and communicate effectively.

Two, it enables students to develop a formal and orderly writing style that reliably conveys information. 

Three, it aids in the organization of your thoughts on what you're learning, the development of vocabulary, and the development of a distinct writing style.

Improving writing skills also aids in the development of the writing skills required to complete additional writing projects.

Writing about life will help students to understand the importance of life and it will lead them to do self retrospection and they can bring positive change in their life.

3. What lesson do students get about the quality of life by writing life essays?

Above all, optimism is the most effective strategy to improve one's quality of life. Job performance, self-confidence, creativity, and abilities all improve when people are optimistic. A positive individual may undoubtedly overcome significant obstacles.

Meditation is another effective approach to improve the quality of one's life. Meditation almost certainly allows a person to reflect on his or her past experiences. This way, one can avoid making the same mistakes as before. It also provides an individual with peace of mind.

Having a hobby is a great way to add meaning to your life. A person's life would be dull if they did not have a passion or interest. A fresh lease on life can be obtained by engaging in a hobby. It gives people fresh reasons to live and experience life.

4. What is the importance of living according to the essay?

One of the most significant aspects of Life is that it continues to move forward. This signifies that nothing is everlasting. As a result, there should be some justification for remaining gloomy. A joyous occasion will pass, just as a sad one will. Above all, no matter how bad things go, one must remain positive. This is so because we all are aware of the fact that nothing lasts forever. Every circumstance, occasion, and event will come to an end. This is unquestionably one of Life's wonders.

Probably a large percentage of people grumble that life is difficult. Many individuals mistakenly feel that pain is a synonym for life. Pain, on the other hand, makes us stronger. Pain is unquestionably a wonderful way to boost mental toughness. Pain, above all, enriches the mind.

5. Why should students consider essays on Life available on Vedantu?

Our English subject specialists wrote the life essay on the Vedantu website. It is grammatically correct, with simple and correct language usage. Because the format of the essay is designed in such a way that students do not find it complex, students will find it extremely easy to recall. Vedantu tries to provide all available assistance to students for them to do well in exams as well as study and understand. The essays on Vedantu are prepared with the goal of piquing students' interest in writing and encouraging them to write more and improve their skills.

Essay on Life in English for Children and Students

Table of Contents

Life has been bestowed upon us by the almighty and we all must value it. We should be thankful for all that we have and try to improve ourselves each day to build a better life. Technically, life is associated with feelings, growth and evolution. Like the plants have life because they grow; humans and animals have life as they feel sadness, happiness and they too grow.

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Target Exam ---

The journey of life may not always be smooth but we must keep going and stay positive all the times. Life is the most precious asset on this planet and must be protected irrespective of its form and appearance. Every species, not only humans, have a fundamental right to live their life, I whatever way they desire. Life is a gift of God to humanity and any attempt to disrupt or damage it will have undesirable consequences.

Long and Short Essay on Life in English

Here we have provided Long and Short Essay on Life in English, of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exam.

These Life Essays are written in simple and easy language so that they can be easily remembered and can be presented when required.

You can choose any life essay as per your interest and need and present it during your school’s essay writing competition, debate completion or speech giving.

Also Check: Essay on Life on Mars

Short Essay on Life in 100 words – Life is Beautiful but Not a Bed of Roses

There is a lot of stress all around us these days. Most people complain about problems at office, issues in relationships and the growing competition in various fields. People are so engrossed in dealing with these issues that they don’t see the real beauty of life. There is so much more to life than these things. In fact, if we look at life closely, we will realize how beautiful it is. God has given us an abundance of everything. This is evident when we look at the nature. The trees, plants, rivers and sunlight – everything is in abundance and so is the energy that resides within us. This is the beauty of life.

However, this is not to say that life is a bed of roses. It is not! The problems and concerns of people are genuine. The rich, the poor, the educated, the uneducated, the beautiful and the not so beautiful – everyone has his/ her on set of problems. Life is not easy for anyone. However, we need to understand that this is how life is. If everything came easy we would not really value it. Life is beautiful in its own way and we should look for reasons to enjoy it and embrace its beauty amid the issues we are dealing with.

Essay on Life in 200 words – Challenges and Goals

Challenges are a part of life. We face different challenges at different points in life. While some people look at these challenges as an opportunity to learn something new others get disheartened and succumb to them. We learn many new things as we take on different challenges. These experiences make us a better person. We can overcome many challenges by setting goals. Goals give us the determination to achieve despite the hurdles.

Also Check: Speech on Aim of My Life

Dealing with Challenges

Challenges require us to get out of our comfort zone. These can be difficult to deal with. However, we must deal with them with courage and determination. Here are some ways to deal with the challenges in life:

No matter what the situation is we must deal with it calmly. We shall be able to think of a solution and act upon it only if we stay calm. If we stress about it continually we shall not be able to act wisely.

• Stay Determined

No matter how hard the situation gets, the key is to stay determined and keep going. We must not give up half way.

• Seek Help from Family and Friends

There is no harm in seeking help from family and friends whenever there is a need. However, we must not depend upon them completely.

Set Goals; Give Purpose to Life

It is important to set goals in life. We must set both long term and short term goals for our personal as well as professional life and work hard to achieve them. Goals give purpose to our life. To set goals, we must first understand what we want in life and then make a plan to achieve it. We must always set a time frame for achieving our goals.

While challenges take us through new experiences and make us stronger, goals help us stay focused. Both challenges and goals are important in life.

Essay on Life in 400 words – It is a Precious Gift

Life is a precious gift. It must be handled with care. We must be thankful to God for sending us on Earth and giving us such beautiful surroundings to live in. We must also be thankful to God for making us physically and mentally fit to live a wholesome life. Not just human beings, the life of animals, birds and plants is equally precious and we must value it too.

Also Check: Essay on Importance of Friends in our Life

Appreciate Life and Express Gratitude

We must appreciate the good in our life and express gratitude for the same. Many people are not happy with the way things go on in their life. They criticize almost everything and everyone around and develop a negative outlook. They need to understand that the fact that they have been given a life to live is in itself a big thing.

The fact that they are in good health is a reason to be thankful for. The fact that they are able and can work hard and make their life better is another reason to be grateful. They must appreciate what they have and be thankful for it. Everything else can be achieved with some effort.

Don’t Waste Life

Many people indulge in bad habits such as smoking, drinking and taking drugs. The havoc created post consuming these can be a threat to their life as well as the life of those around them. Many people drink and run over their car on innocent people killing them or injuring them badly. They even hurt themselves during such incidents. Besides, all these things have a negative impact on a person’s health.

They incur serious health problems over the time thus ruining their lives as well as the lives of their family members. They must understand that life is precious. We can lead a purposeful life and add value to it or waste it and end up in a mess. Many people realize this much later in life mostly after incurring a major problem. It is too late then and they cannot go back and relive their life properly. We must value this gift called life when there is still time and tread the right path to enjoy it.

God has given us a chance to live and enjoy the beauty of the nature. Life is a precious gift and we must all value it. We must express gratitude and stay positive to make the most of this gift given to us. We must also value the lives of those around us.

Essay on Life in 500 words – It is a Journey not a Destination

There is a mad rush all around us. In schools, offices, businesses and even in households – people are running around, chasing different things and trying to achieve things as fast as they can as if they are about to miss a train. This eagerness and restlessness to get somewhere is what they pass on to their kids too and it goes on and on. Where exactly do we want to reach? And how will we feel when we reach there? We need to slow down and ask ourselves these questions.

We must understand that life is a journey not a destination. This means that we need to go through it slowly and calmly enjoying every moment and making the most of it rather than rushing through it.

Also Check: Essay on Importance of Good Manners in Life

Find Happiness in Little Things

We often overlook the little things in life and keep chasing the bigger things believing they will give us happiness. While achieving our big dreams and goals does give us satisfaction however it is the little things in life that bring us true happiness. These are the things that bring a smile to our face later in life. For instance, parents keep telling their children to behave nicely, study dedicatedly and sleep on time.

They do all this to inculcate discipline in them. They want them to focus on their studies so that they can choose a good stream and build a rewarding career. They believe that all this will help them get a good life partner and build a happy personal life too. They have good intentions but are they really doing good to their children? In a way, no as they are stealing the precious moments of their lives that could be spent more joyfully.

Enjoy the Journey of Life; Don’t Rush Through it

The first twenty years of a person’s life are spent in mugging up their chapters and attempting to fetch good marks. Children are repeatedly told that they can enjoy once they get a good job. When they get a good job, they are asked to work hard to get to a good position in the company. Then they are told that they can enjoy their life after they reach a certain position.

When they reach a good position in the company, they require working hard to maintain the position. It is also time for them to plan a family and fulfill various responsibilities. They are then told that they can live peacefully and enjoy life once they retire. No one even thinks that they will not be left with the same enthusiasm, energy and zeal to enjoy life when they enter that age.

Life is happening now. We must enjoy it here and now and not wait to reach a certain position or phase of life to start living the way we want.

It is important to set goals and work hard towards achieving them. We must also set deadlines for our goals, stay focused and utilize our time wisely to achieve the desired result. What we should avoid is to rush towards them. We will come across many new things as we head towards our goals. All these will make us stronger and wiser. We should allow ourselves to see and experience these new things and learn from them rather than rushing towards the goal.

Also Check: Speech on Life

Long Essay on Life in 600 words – True Value of Life

We all have just one life. We are here on Earth for a limited period of time and do not know when our time will end. We must thus make the most of the time we have. We must do good deeds, help as much as we can, appreciate the beauty around us and stay positive. We must value life and be grateful for all that we have as not many are lucky to have the kind of life we do.

True Value of Life by Philosophers

Different philosophers, scholars and literary people have defined the true value of life in different ways. As per poet Henry David, “There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it.” “The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self”, said Albert Einstein.

On the other hand, Myles Munroe states, “The value of life is not in its duration. You are not important because of how long you live, you are important because of how effective you live.

Identify the Purpose of Life

Different people indulge in different activities each day. Some people study, some do the household chores, some work on business plans, some work for an employer and some just enjoy and vile away their time.

Some people accomplish more than one or two of these tasks each day. They keep working on these tasks day in and day out and may take a break on the weekends. They may plan a holiday for a day or two or roam around locally to rejuvenate but as the next week begins, they start with their routine tasks yet again. Whether they like it or not they keep slogging every day as they feel that this is what they are meant to do.

However, this is a wrong perception. These daily tasks are just a way to survive in this world. We study, tidy our house, cook food, go to work and earn money just so that we can live comfortably. This is not our real purpose of life. It does not add value to our soul.

God has sent us on this Earth with a purpose. We need to identify this purpose and work towards achieving it. Once we know the purpose and successfully achieve it, we must then understand how it can help those around us and look for ways to assist them. Each one of us has been bestowed with a special power or gift. We must share it with others to make the world a more beautiful place to live in.

Count Your Blessings

We must value everything and everyone in our life. Nothing in our life should be taken for granted. We must value our parents, our siblings, our friends, our job, our house, our belongings and everything God has bestowed on us. And above all, we must value our life.

We must be grateful to the almighty for giving us the ability to take care of ourselves. We must always look at the positive side of life. We should count our blessings and value them. God has given us so many things to appreciate and we must thank him by helping those around us. We must help them live a better life.

We are born to serve humanity and make this world a better place. We must be thankful for all that we have and stay humble. We are all blessed with some unique power. Our purpose is to identify it and use it for uplifting ourselves as well as everyone around us. This is the true value of our life.

Essay on Life FAQs

What is the life essay.

Life essay talks about experiences, challenges, and lessons learned throughout life's journey, shaping perspectives and values.

What is life short notes?

Life in short notes is a summary of moments, emotions, and discoveries, capturing the essence of our existence briefly.

What is a life essay?

A life essay delves into the meaning, purpose, and significance of existence, exploring individual perspectives on living.

What is life in 10 lines?

Life is a blend of joy and sorrow, moments of growth, connections with others, learning from experiences, and striving for happiness.

What is the essay of student life?

The essay on student life discusses the experiences, challenges, and learnings during the academic journey, shaping character and knowledge.

What is life an essay?

Life as an essay reflects on the chapters of existence, covering diverse experiences, emotions, and lessons learned.

What is life for a student?

For a student, life is about learning, exploring interests, facing challenges, making friendships, and preparing for the future.

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Life has been bestowed upon us by the almighty and we all must value it. We should be thankful for all that we have and try to improve ourselves each day to build a better life. Technically, life is associated with feelings, growth and evolution. Like the plants have life because they grow; humans and animals have life as they feel sadness, happiness and they too grow.

The journey of life may not always be smooth but we must keep going and stay positive all the times. Life is the most precious asset on this planet and must be protected irrespective of its form and appearance. Every species, not only humans, have a fundamental right to live their life, I whatever way they desire. Life is a gift of God to humanity and any attempt to disrupt or damage it will have undesirable consequences.

Long and Short Essay on Life in English

Here we have provided Long and Short Essay on Life in English, of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exam.

These Life Essays are written in simple and easy language so that they can be easily remembered and can be presented when required.

You can choose any life essay as per your interest and need and present it during your school’s essay writing competition, debate completion or speech giving.

Short Essay on Life: Life is Beautiful but Not a Bed of Roses – Essay 1 (200 words)

There is a lot of stress all around us these days. Most people complain about problems at office, issues in relationships and the growing competition in various fields. People are so engrossed in dealing with these issues that they don’t see the real beauty of life. There is so much more to life than these things. In fact, if we look at life closely, we will realize how beautiful it is. God has given us an abundance of everything. This is evident when we look at the nature. The trees, plants, rivers and sunlight – everything is in abundance and so is the energy that resides within us. This is the beauty of life.

However, this is not to say that life is a bed of roses. It is not! The problems and concerns of people are genuine. The rich, the poor, the educated, the uneducated, the beautiful and the not so beautiful – everyone has his/ her on set of problems. Life is not easy for anyone. However, we need to understand that this is how life is. If everything came easy we would not really value it. Life is beautiful in its own way and we should look for reasons to enjoy it and embrace its beauty amid the issues we are dealing with.

Essay on Life: Challenges and Goals – Essay 2 (300 words)

Introduction

Challenges are a part of life. We face different challenges at different points in life. While some people look at these challenges as an opportunity to learn something new others get disheartened and succumb to them. We learn many new things as we take on different challenges. These experiences make us a better person. We can overcome many challenges by setting goals. Goals give us the determination to achieve despite the hurdles.

Dealing with Challenges

Challenges require us to get out of our comfort zone. These can be difficult to deal with. However, we must deal with them with courage and determination. Here are some ways to deal with the challenges in life:

No matter what the situation is we must deal with it calmly. We shall be able to think of a solution and act upon it only if we stay calm. If we stress about it continually we shall not be able to act wisely.

• Stay Determined

No matter how hard the situation gets, the key is to stay determined and keep going. We must not give up half way.

• Seek Help from Family and Friends

There is no harm in seeking help from family and friends whenever there is a need. However, we must not depend upon them completely.

Set Goals; Give Purpose to Life

It is important to set goals in life. We must set both long term and short term goals for our personal as well as professional life and work hard to achieve them. Goals give purpose to our life. To set goals, we must first understand what we want in life and then make a plan to achieve it. We must always set a time frame for achieving our goals.

While challenges take us through new experiences and make us stronger, goals help us stay focused. Both challenges and goals are important in life.

Essay on Life: It is a Precious Gift – Essay 3 (400 words)

Life is a precious gift. It must be handled with care. We must be thankful to God for sending us on Earth and giving us such beautiful surroundings to live in. We must also be thankful to God for making us physically and mentally fit to live a wholesome life. Not just human beings, the life of animals, birds and plants is equally precious and we must value it too.

Appreciate Life and Express Gratitude

We must appreciate the good in our life and express gratitude for the same. Many people are not happy with the way things go on in their life. They criticize almost everything and everyone around and develop a negative outlook. They need to understand that the fact that they have been given a life to live is in itself a big thing.

The fact that they are in good health is a reason to be thankful for. The fact that they are able and can work hard and make their life better is another reason to be grateful. They must appreciate what they have and be thankful for it. Everything else can be achieved with some effort.

Don’t Waste Life

Many people indulge in bad habits such as smoking, drinking and taking drugs. The havoc created post consuming these can be a threat to their life as well as the life of those around them. Many people drink and run over their car on innocent people killing them or injuring them badly. They even hurt themselves during such incidents. Besides, all these things have a negative impact on a person’s health.

They incur serious health problems over the time thus ruining their lives as well as the lives of their family members. They must understand that life is precious. We can lead a purposeful life and add value to it or waste it and end up in a mess. Many people realize this much later in life mostly after incurring a major problem. It is too late then and they cannot go back and relive their life properly. We must value this gift called life when there is still time and tread the right path to enjoy it.

God has given us a chance to live and enjoy the beauty of the nature. Life is a precious gift and we must all value it. We must express gratitude and stay positive to make the most of this gift given to us. We must also value the lives of those around us.

Essay on Life: It is a Journey not a Destination – Essay 4 (500 words)

There is a mad rush all around us. In schools, offices, businesses and even in households – people are running around, chasing different things and trying to achieve things as fast as they can as if they are about to miss a train. This eagerness and restlessness to get somewhere is what they pass on to their kids too and it goes on and on. Where exactly do we want to reach? And how will we feel when we reach there? We need to slow down and ask ourselves these questions.

We must understand that life is a journey not a destination. This means that we need to go through it slowly and calmly enjoying every moment and making the most of it rather than rushing through it.

Find Happiness in Little Things

We often overlook the little things in life and keep chasing the bigger things believing they will give us happiness. While achieving our big dreams and goals does give us satisfaction however it is the little things in life that bring us true happiness. These are the things that bring a smile to our face later in life. For instance, parents keep telling their children to behave nicely, study dedicatedly and sleep on time.

They do all this to inculcate discipline in them. They want them to focus on their studies so that they can choose a good stream and build a rewarding career. They believe that all this will help them get a good life partner and build a happy personal life too. They have good intentions but are they really doing good to their children? In a way, no as they are stealing the precious moments of their lives that could be spent more joyfully.

Enjoy the Journey of Life; Don’t Rush Through it

The first twenty years of a person’s life are spent in mugging up their chapters and attempting to fetch good marks. Children are repeatedly told that they can enjoy once they get a good job. When they get a good job, they are asked to work hard to get to a good position in the company. Then they are told that they can enjoy their life after they reach a certain position.

When they reach a good position in the company, they require working hard to maintain the position. It is also time for them to plan a family and fulfill various responsibilities. They are then told that they can live peacefully and enjoy life once they retire. No one even thinks that they will not be left with the same enthusiasm, energy and zeal to enjoy life when they enter that age.

Life is happening now. We must enjoy it here and now and not wait to reach a certain position or phase of life to start living the way we want.

It is important to set goals and work hard towards achieving them. We must also set deadlines for our goals, stay focused and utilize our time wisely to achieve the desired result. What we should avoid is to rush towards them. We will come across many new things as we head towards our goals. All these will make us stronger and wiser. We should allow ourselves to see and experience these new things and learn from them rather than rushing towards the goal.

Long Essay on Life: True Value of Life – Essay 5 (600 words)

We all have just one life. We are here on Earth for a limited period of time and do not know when our time will end. We must thus make the most of the time we have. We must do good deeds, help as much as we can, appreciate the beauty around us and stay positive. We must value life and be grateful for all that we have as not many are lucky to have the kind of life we do.

True Value of Life by Philosophers

Different philosophers, scholars and literary people have defined the true value of life in different ways. As per poet Henry David, “There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it.” “The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self”, said Albert Einstein.

On the other hand, Myles Munroe states, “The value of life is not in its duration. You are not important because of how long you live, you are important because of how effective you live.

Identify the Purpose of Life

Different people indulge in different activities each day. Some people study, some do the household chores, some work on business plans, some work for an employer and some just enjoy and vile away their time.

Some people accomplish more than one or two of these tasks each day. They keep working on these tasks day in and day out and may take a break on the weekends. They may plan a holiday for a day or two or roam around locally to rejuvenate but as the next week begins, they start with their routine tasks yet again. Whether they like it or not they keep slogging every day as they feel that this is what they are meant to do.

However, this is a wrong perception. These daily tasks are just a way to survive in this world. We study, tidy our house, cook food, go to work and earn money just so that we can live comfortably. This is not our real purpose of life. It does not add value to our soul.

God has sent us on this Earth with a purpose. We need to identify this purpose and work towards achieving it. Once we know the purpose and successfully achieve it, we must then understand how it can help those around us and look for ways to assist them. Each one of us has been bestowed with a special power or gift. We must share it with others to make the world a more beautiful place to live in.

Count Your Blessings

We must value everything and everyone in our life. Nothing in our life should be taken for granted. We must value our parents, our siblings, our friends, our job, our house, our belongings and everything God has bestowed on us. And above all, we must value our life.

We must be grateful to the almighty for giving us the ability to take care of ourselves. We must always look at the positive side of life. We should count our blessings and value them. God has given us so many things to appreciate and we must thank him by helping those around us. We must help them live a better life.

We are born to serve humanity and make this world a better place. We must be thankful for all that we have and stay humble. We are all blessed with some unique power. Our purpose is to identify it and use it for uplifting ourselves as well as everyone around us. This is the true value of our life.

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Essay on Life Is Beautiful

Students are often asked to write an essay on Life Is Beautiful in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Life Is Beautiful

Appreciating life’s beauty.

Life is beautiful. It’s a gift filled with wonders, from the joy of laughter to the thrill of discovery. We see its beauty in the rising sun, blooming flowers, and sparkling stars.

Cherishing Relationships

Our relationships add to life’s beauty. Friends and family bring love, support, and happiness. These bonds make life rich and vibrant.

Overcoming Challenges

Life’s beauty is also in overcoming challenges. They make us stronger, wiser, and add depth to our existence.

Life’s beauty is everywhere. We just need to open our eyes and hearts to see it.

Also check:

• Speech on Life Is Beautiful

250 Words Essay on Life Is Beautiful

Life: a symphony of beauty.

Life, in its essence, is a beautiful symphony woven with countless notes of joy, sorrow, triumph, and defeat. It is a journey adorned with moments of laughter, tears, love, and learning. Each day is a new canvas, painted with the vibrant hues of experience and adorned with the intricate patterns of growth.

The Aesthetics of Existence

Life’s beauty is not confined to the grandeur of achievements or the allure of success. It lies in the subtle nuances of existence, the quiet moments of reflection, the shared smiles, and the comforting silence. It is reflected in the resilience of a seed sprouting through a concrete crack, the serenity of a sunrise, or the simple act of breathing. These instances, often overlooked, are the aesthetic threads that weave the exquisite tapestry of life.

Embracing the Dichotomy

Life is a paradoxical blend of joy and sorrow, love and loss, hope and despair. This dichotomy, far from diminishing life’s beauty, enhances it. The challenges we face and the obstacles we overcome serve to enrich our journey, lending depth to our existence. They are the shadows that accentuate the light, the discordant notes that highlight the melody, making life a more profound and beautiful experience.

Conclusion: The Art of Living

In conclusion, life is beautiful not despite its imperfections, but because of them. It is an ongoing process of growth and evolution, a journey of discovery and self-realization. The beauty of life lies in embracing its totality, in living each moment to the fullest, and in finding joy in the simple act of existence. Life is, indeed, a beautiful journey worth cherishing and celebrating.

500 Words Essay on Life Is Beautiful

Life, in all its complexity and simplicity, is a beautiful journey. The beauty of life is not necessarily found in perfect moments, but rather in its totality. It is an intricate tapestry woven from threads of experiences, emotions, triumphs, and failures.

Life’s Beauty in Diversity

Our world is a melting pot of cultures, beliefs, and perspectives, each contributing to the vibrancy of life. This diversity is a testament to life’s beauty. It brings about a sense of unity and acceptance, fostering a global community that thrives on shared experiences and mutual respect. The beauty of life is often reflected in the variety of human experiences and the richness of our shared heritage.

Lessons in Adversity

Life’s beauty also lies in its challenges. While it might seem counterintuitive, adversities often serve as catalysts for growth and transformation. They teach us resilience, patience, and the value of perseverance. The struggles we face are not meant to break us, but to mold us into stronger, more compassionate individuals. In overcoming adversities, we learn to appreciate the journey of life, not just the destination.

The Beauty of Relationships

Another aspect that highlights the beauty of life is our relationships. The bonds we form with others provide a sense of belonging and purpose. Relationships, be it with family, friends, or romantic partners, enrich our lives in countless ways. They offer comfort in times of distress, joy in moments of celebration, and companionship in periods of loneliness. The love and support we receive and give in these relationships underscore the beauty of life.

Life’s Transience: A Beautiful Paradox

The transience of life, though often a source of existential dread, is in itself a beautiful paradox. The knowledge that life is fleeting makes every moment precious. It encourages us to live authentically, to cherish our experiences, and to make the most of our time. The ephemeral nature of life adds a layer of beauty to our existence, reminding us to appreciate the present.

Conclusion: Embracing Life’s Beauty

In conclusion, life is beautiful in its entirety. Its beauty lies not just in joyous moments and achievements, but also in challenges and failures. The diversity of human experiences, the bonds we form, and the lessons we learn all contribute to the beauty of life. Furthermore, the transience of life serves as a reminder to appreciate every moment. To truly embrace the beauty of life, one must appreciate its highs and lows, its certainties and uncertainties. Life, with all its imperfections, is a beautiful journey worth cherishing.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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