In The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, by Sogyal Rinpoche, Andrew Harvey – there is a passage about a woman sitting front row at a lecture given by the Dalai Lama. She was crying most of the talk. When it was done, the Dalai Lama went to her to ask why she was crying? She answered that she was dying of cancer. He started to laugh, which left the woman horrified. He then proceeded to tell her she was no different than all of us because we are all dying.
The above illustrates the real truth of our existence, it’s temporary and we will all end up in the same place. It doesn’t matter if you are a garbage man or a CEO, we all end up dead. So we have to accept that we are dying and put life into perspective. We have a limited amount of time to make what we can of this life. If we respect that there is an end, we have a better chance of living more fully in the moment. We may have more motivation to do more with what we have.
Vince Lombardi said it about Football “Play every play as if it’s your last.” We never know when anything will end. Take the time to appreciate this moment. We will never get this moment back. It is unique and a gift. Don’t be distracted by being so busy doing nothing that you miss the opportunity, the beauty, and the experience that right now has provided.
Strive to be real and to experience the world as it is, not as it is presented via media. Accept who you are and what you really want instead of living a synthetic life thru others. Take control of your thoughts and actions, be yourself completely.
Brian Wright