Be Humble With Wisdom In The Short Life You’ve been Given
Just a contemplation I had on the bus this morning whilst observing people going about their business;
Humble yourself with this sobering thought…
No matter how rich.
No matter how famous.
No matter how much you may possess.
No matter what high position or status you may hold.
No matter what grandiose titles of self-importance has been bestowed upon you.
No matter how much you may think you know.
Just remember, in hundred years or so from now, that those you now see about you, and in fact every human being presently alive on this planet, will be no more.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Only to be replaced by the next generation of myriad creatures. And so the cycle of life continues.
So where are all your pretentiousness, knowledge, fame, money and possessions now? They certainly won’t be where you will be going after the Grim Reaper comes calling.
And remember, Death does not discriminate.
But alas! Have no fear, for this is a law of nature that must be obeyed. Neither good nor evil in that.
Did you not know, my friend, that to philosophise is to learn how to die? This means to let go of all superficial attachments daily.
All I say is to take time out to be aware of every living thing walking about you, and to remember that a hundred years, and especially us, are nothing compared to the infinite vastness of universal existence.
As what existed before us, and which will continue to exist long after our final breath, this universe of consciousness will always remain indifferent to our futile and ambitious attempts to make immortal our very egos.
So do not become attached to life, but treat it as precious.
This thought alone should humble you towards living, no matter how short, a life of simplicity, joy and wisdom.
I will now leave you with a couple of quotes from Marcus Aurelius which exudes truth and sums up this post beautifully:
“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong as its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.”
“You will give yourself peace of mind if you perform every act of your life as if it were your last.”
Related posts:
- Humble Wisdom: ‘Tao Te Ching’ by Lao Tzu
- Practice & Apply the Wise Old Art of Alchemy From Within
- Wisdom Books: The Last Days of Socrates By Plato
- The Wisdom Of Silent Introspection In A World Full Of Opinion
- A Philosopher As Parent (Part 2) – Ten Commandments to Parenting Wisely
Impermanence is our great teacher. Embrace and enjoy every passing moment, because that’s all there is.
Yes NP,
One minute we are here, the next minute we are gone. So we must all play our part well before the show closes.
It’s as simple as that.
“Lost time is never found again” – Benjamin Franklin
I’d like to share with you an inspiring article on Following Your Heart. Hope this will affect you that way that it affected me. 
That’s why we should always make the most of it. Enough with the planning and focus on what’s really important for you, then go for it. After all, we only get to live once.
Hi Kirstine,
A very apt quote from old Ben Franklin there…and you offer very wise advice on us living life to the full while we are still here.
I will endeavor to read the article you so kindly provided…that’s if I’m still around to do just that.