It's Something Unpredictable?
Death. I was pondering the subject the other day, but it wasn't so much in the context of human beings or loved ones. I was thinking more about how material things or processes around us phase out.
I mean simple things like machines, technology, or even everyday features like fast food menu items. The things that might have seemed revolutionary or supercool during their introduction are now just footnotes in time. Their window of existence closes for many reasons, including economics, safety, or lifestyle preferences. They met an abrupt end to their run or gradually got folded under by the weight of the next big thing; they were discontinued. They died—their impact is to be determined somewhere in the future by the history writers.
"Just because something won't last forever doesn't mean it can't last a lifetime." ??
Today, American society, and possibly the world at large, seems to be on the brink of giving birth to one of those historical watershed moments when a proliferation of new advances accelerates the pace of change. In the last century, we had the 1950s, when mass car production shifted the societal landscape. The 1980s, when the growth of personal tech, dove us all into the digital age. And now, in the 2020s, when AI and quantum computing challenge us to question every assumption we have about what is possible.
With all the discoveries and opportunities rapidly appearing, it's truly an exciting time to be alive. But, there is also that moment of pause. As history has shown, periods of new beginnings also usher in a time of closure and archiving for some older ways of life—whether we're ready for them or not.
This reality takes me back to my original thought. We know that most inventions have a shelf life. Death, while not always welcome, is expected. So, why are we not better at accepting and celebrating the closure of beloved items?
Looking Back, Leaning Forward
Change and time progression are constant. By natural law, we are in continual motion. Thus, we will be disappointed if we think joy can be locked around one item or spot in time—both move relatively. A bitter reminder of this is when, driven by nostalgia, an adult revisits a childhood favorite candy, only to realize it was only pleasant to their 10-year-old palate.
When we have a growth mindset, we move on in a healthy way by appreciating what we gained from interacting with an item more than its physical attributes. For instance, in the case above, knowing we shared the candy with childhood friends while having good times means more than whether the candy's flavor stood the test of time.? ? ??
In 30 Worthy Guides for Mapping Your Best Life, when discussing cultivating a growth mindset, I note that we have the power to change our worlds. "To create a life that you feel brings you peace and happiness." Part of that, however uncomfortable, is accepting that chapters close around us and deciding what we carry with us as our story goes on.? ??
Period Certain, Purpose Driven
"Death comes for us all." Even those things that have given us years of pleasure. And like the period in a paragraph, it is a point in time and space indicating an entity is complete. From here, a new item is introduced, either following a familiar path or asking us to go in a new, unforeseen direction.
Knowing there is an end (time is finite—either through our or an object's expiration), are we effectively leveraging how we spend it with the things we love? I'm not talking about overconsumption. More so, are we practicing engaging with purpose?
Don't get me wrong; we may always wish we had more time in a given situation. However, the "quality" of time goes a long way in not having regrets. Case in point: I only owned a motorcycle for a few years. But, during that time, I maximized my seasonal riding by planning recreational rides frequently. Those were some of my favorite driving experiences in life. Later, when I sold the bike, I was at peace with the end of that chapter. I still carry the joy and lessons learned forward.
"Even at our birth, death does but stand aside a little." - Robert Bolt
I choose to live with great curiosity in the small space I am afforded. The fact is there will be death—an end, a finish, a termination, an extinguishment—on the horizon for all human endeavors. And, while we don't have the luxury of knowing the sunset times, we can accept it as a natural cycle around us.
I acknowledge that the thought of missing things as they pass can be intimidating. But we can't let it stop us from acting when we can.
The hard truth is that death is a predictable factor that will take care of itself in time. Let's be present, not letting it steal our joy and lives today.
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