This article is part of a blog series where Grumo attempts to define common terms in a nonsensical and sometimes politically incorrect way. Please do take all statements with a grain of salt or acetyl-para-aminophenol.
Life is a minuscule window of opportunity given to us to experience the world.
Although life is the greatest gift of all, most of us take it for granted unless we get really close to lose it due to illness, an accident or old age.The biggest problem people face when they are given life is not knowing what the hell to do with it. So the number one thing people do with their life is simply waste it.. especially if they live in a developed country and are well nourished.
In the ancient times it was a lot easier, you simply woke up everyday and did all you could to survive and procreate and that took all your time.
Today many people have lots of spare time but because our brains are still wired for survival and reproduction many of us have existential issues, neurosis, and mental diseases and go to the mind doctor to get drugs to forget everything.. or simply get drunk and rejoice in our ignorance.
We are born with the tools to create life yet throughout history we have devised countless ways to take it away from others.
Paradoxically depending on the context taking someone’s life can be punished with a death sentence or rewarded with a medal.When we are happy life is truly beautiful but when we are angry, frustrated, ill, or depressed life can be hell to the point some consider take their own life.
However there is no need to rush our demise since life already comes with its own death sentence, sooner or later everyone dies. Our expiry date is about 27 thousand days from delivery when we will cease to exist and join the same nothingness we came from.Since we are all doomed to die from day one, many strive to leave behind a mark that will transcend their death. Our offspring is the natural way of leaving a legacy for our genes but it’s the breath of our actions, art, and accomplishments during life that will immortalize us.
If the biggest curse is not knowing what to do with our lives then the biggest blessing must be finding our true purpose and having the courage to act on it before the ride is over.
LIFE
by Grumo
Related Posts:
The greatest motivator – Time
Passions fade and why that is a good thing
5 Regrets people make on their death bed
Life is too short not to take risks – Interview with Miguel Hernandez
Beautifully written. Great post.
The expiry date you referenced has been important for me to bear in mind. Quantifying our lives, particularly in the area of time, can be anxiety provoking – but it’s that very stress that can fuel a healthy urgency in the pursuit of our passions and dreams.
I do think there’s a little more to this equation than “We’ve got active reptile brains in a 21st century world”, which I know is Seth Godin’s perspective. I think environmental factors in the rearing of children is the best place to look when trying to unravel the fear and anxiety than can plague many adults today. Studies show close to 90% of parents still spank their children – might this be responsible for the formulation of a personality who fears risk and feels helpless?
Thanks Philip!
I agree, our lizard brain is just part of the equation. Probably it is the same obsolete equation working inside the brain of parents which makes them think it is still ok to spank their children in the 21st century!
Awesome, just what I needed to read today. Great timing and great insights. Go go Grumo 🙂
Thanks Pedram!
Wonderful musings. However, I was a teensy bit (okay, more than a teensy bit) disappointed after futilely clicking the picture a few times, —having been trained to expect a humorous, warm fuzzy Grumo video to accompany it!
Hola Cynthia, your feelings are more than justified. For now this is a just written blog series but animation is not out of the question.. we are Grumo Media after all! 🙂