On a long enough time line, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero. So who decides who lives and who dies? This is a more confounding question when you consider that the time lines of some are shorter than others. It’s as though there is some dark story written out before we are even born. This story foretells what will happen to whom and when- only, we are not privy to reading it; we must live through it.
If given the chance to rewrite our history, things would be quite different. These maggots on spoons we’ve so voluntarily eaten and digested, as truths, would be seen for what they really are. Everything would be exposed and no lies would exist between loved ones. There would be no strangers and everyone would embrace each other as brother and sister. This would be my wish as a god for a day, but this is not reality.
Realistically, we all live daily tragedies. One of my closest friends would do anything for a new set of teeth. When I think of this, I imagine that one of my talents or ideas would generate enough revenue to supply this friend with teeth as white as mine. Another looks to a brighter future, free from a tyrannical ex-wife- a future where his children are safe with him in a house of love and nurturance. Another wishes for a career and an end to the proverbial tornado that has moved his life around so violently leaving no stability.
The world, in which we live, is cold and competitive. It is filled with liars and fakes. It is composed of the most violent deaths and the saddest miseries. This world is not what we make of it but what it makes of us. Will it devour us, or forfeit our existence in this rotting place, where no man not of this world would wish to be. This is reality. This is your life. Now open your eyes and see the world around you for the first time. How does it feel to live in the house of flies?
-T
On a long enough time line, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
Simple, yet profound. Chuck is pretty good at that. When you think of that line of prose, you can’t really help but internalize it. So, what does that mean to me?
It means life is finite. Disregarding any afterlife implications, our physical life on this plane of existence is relatively short in the grand scheme of things. So, what to do with this short life?
My tooth issues are plentiful, but happily, that’s my biggest complaint about life. No, I can’t afford a year’s wages on fixing this disaster of a mouth, but I take all the preventative measures I can and keep the monster at bay. Other than that, I make enough money to acquire the things I need, and most of what I want, I have a child that while driving me up a wall at times, mostly brings me joy, I have talents in creative fields that allow me to express myself in ways some people cannot. All in all, I’m doing okay.
So, my existence on this timeline may not be baked to perfection, but I’ll be making the best of it and trying to teach the kid to do the same.
You are and will always be an inspiration. I didn’t expect a reply to this post- truly, I didn’t. Though I do mean what I said. I would give all of my talents and abilities to make your life better. What you wrote was unexpected. Your satisfaction with what you have leaves me stilted and humbled. This is not a game of “top that” but a lesson in learning to live within one’s means. This is something I have yet to learn, and I am grateful for your comment. Lastly, realize that I ultimately wish I had control of that time line for only a day. I believe I could do a better job. Those who died too early were not part of some divine plan, but the result of our human nature. Control over that which sees us to our individual death is my goal. I feel numb, Rob.
-T
I’m sure you’ve heard the serenity prayer, if not it’s this:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Now, take God out of it and it’s some pretty sound advice for life in general. Do what you can to change the world around you, but acknowledge and accept the things you have no control over.
In response to your comment, I mean that while the effect you can have on the world is great, remember that other people will not always follow the path you set out for them, even when it’s the best path to take. Don’t let that discourage you, just keep working towards your own personal goals, and if others follow along, great, if not, hey, you’re still where you wanna be.