CONTEMPLATIONS ON A LIFETIME

There was this great "moment" in the Neil Gaiman Sandman DC Vetigo comic series when "Death" comes to a crib to claim the soul of baby who has just died. As Death is carrying the baby away to the underworld, the baby cries out something like, "It isn't fair! I didn't get to live long enough" and Death advices the baby that it is fair ---- the baby was given what every single human being receives; a lifetime.

Rather cynical and dark, but quite true when you think about it. We all get one. ...at least. And, that lifetime is only as valuable as we make it.

I have been thinking a lot about life as of late. And, I do not mean my own singular life --- I mean "life" in general.

It seems that we all waste so much of our time on pursuits (and people) that really do not matter to us in the big scheme of things. It is so interesting to contemplate the way we each touch each other's lives in so many distinct and important ways. People come into your life -- or you into theirs --- and, sometimes, just when you think that this involvement is "forever" --- it turns out to be quite fleeting and with end. And, then, there are those times when people we expect to make a speedy exit -- stay there -- forever.

There are a few of you reading this right now who I have yet to meet "in the flesh" -- but who have had greater impact on my being than people who are phsysically in my life on a daily basis. I guess it is not so much how we touch each other but more about why and in what way we impact the courses and turns of our lives.

One is unable to predict how others will fare in one's life --- all you can do is trust in God and your instincts ...and that person. That moment when you decide to trust someone to come into your life is one of the bravest that you will ever do. And, even if it turns out that it isn't forever or that it isn't what it appeared to be in the beginning does not devalue or deminish what the interaction(s)/relationship brings into the lives which are touched.

And, of course, we all know that material things, money and our jobs really mean very little to us at the end of the day. It is our interactions with each other that matter. It is facing our fears and trusting that makes all the difference. I think that it is in that hour when you take a deep breath and jump off the cliff into risk that the meaning of life plays out. It is isn't a game. It is your life and you must live it to the fullest because whether or not you get 2 days or 100 years ---- we all get one lifetime. Make it worth something and try to rise above the temptations of our civilization and focus on what matters. ...each other.

As we all know --- this is much easier said than done. Still, we can try ------ and dream.