Appreciating the Briefness of Life
We often think that when our world is shaken to its core by a disastrous event, it’s a universal experience. That everyone can sense the world will never be the same again. But that’s far from true.
I remember witnessing a car accident from a distance. It was evident, even from afar, that it was severe. The person hit by the car had their life altered forever, possibly ended. The impact rippled through their family and everyone present at that moment. Yet, just a block away, life continued unchanged. People went about their routines, oblivious to the tragedy that had just unfolded nearby.
This incident made me realize how isolated our experiences can be. We’re like ships passing in the night, momentarily illuminating each other’s horizons before fading into obscurity. Our struggles and joys, our “waves,” are often ours alone.
As Leo Tolstoy once said, “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” This rings true for individuals as well. Our joys and sorrows are unique, experienced, and processed in deeply personal ways.
Life, as they say, goes on. It continues after every death, every birth, in its relentless march. We exist but for a fraction of a second in the grand timeline of the universe. Our presence is a mere blip, yet it’s profound in its own right.
We often overlook the struggles and joys of others. It’s easy to get lost in our narratives, to become engrossed in the plot twists and turns of our lives. But when we step back, we see a tapestry of countless stories unfolding simultaneously, each with its color and texture.
Consider how someone’s worst day could be happening alongside another’s best day. This contrast is not just poetic but profoundly human. It reminds us of the spectrum of emotions and experiences that constitute life.
Despite our journeys, we share common threads of emotions and experiences. Joy, sorrow, love, loss — these are universal. Understanding this can foster a deeper sense of empathy and connection.
When we realize that the stranger passing by might be carrying a burden as heavy as ours, or perhaps celebrating a joy as great, it can change how we interact with the world.
And in this brief existence, the least we can do is be decent humans. To recognize the transient nature of life and extend empathy, kindness, and understanding to others. Because while we may be solitary ships in the vast ocean of existence, our paths do cross, and these intersections, no matter how brief, are opportunities to make a difference, lighten someone’s burden, and be a beacon in the darkness.
