I just read a meme on FB:
“It’s a short trip, enjoy it.”
That’s one that I’ve seen many times before, however, for some reason, it really resonated with me this time; but not in the way you might think.
I know the meaning of the quote is that you better enjoy your life, your youth, and your health while you have it, because it’s all over in the blink of an eye… and it really is, and you really should.
But we honestly don’t have it that bad as far as longevity goes. I mean, unless you are looking at our lives in comparison to the entire history of the earth. Then, yeah, we are nothing more than blips on the radar.
But it could be a lot shorter. You only have to look at the life-span of other animals to see this. Some insects only live for 24 hours. A common mouse is 12-18 months.
I look at my two year old German Shepherd and, though he is in the prime of his life at the moment, I know that he has less than a decade left – and that’s if things go well. Typically, we humans stick around 8 times longer on this planet than he does.
Yet, I’m willing to bet that he’s not the least bit concerned or neurotic at the thought of his life ending someday; but that’s another topic.
My point is that we outlive many other animals on this planet; often by a lot.
So, yeah, while you may only have a measly 80 years or so, it could be worse.
It’s all about perspective.
Your 7-8 decades is a gift, don’t waste it!