I agree with your premise, but draw the opposite conclusion: that how we live deeply matters, because it echoes into the lives of millions, regardless of biological connection. Choosing to respond to trauma with compassion or with violence can trigger generational changes that reshape the entire lives of people hundreds of years away.
Perhaps I’d reframe your conclusion as: what we do matters little, how and why we do it matters more than we could imagine. Basically Gandhi’s whole point. :)
Sometimes adults are just not interested in knowing their own parents. Sad, but true. Can't get my own to find time, or interest, which has been the source for a lot of sadness for me. I don't know what happened to this generation but I hope the next one can remedy the problem. It is a type of rot that has hollowed out our very existence.
I was never an attention hog, and suspect few remember me - even among relatives, and I have no children. What I have always done is make stuff, from manufacturing durable tools I designed to art I hand-crafted. I find comfort knowing that all these things will be treasured until fire or flood take them from their owners. None of them will be carelessly lost or tossed, whether that's mere years from when I made them or centuries. These items are now all over the world. Thinking of them, and the pleasure they bring to whoever owns them now, brings a smile to my face. I will return to dust soon; the long trail of things I made will live on.
The strangeness of the passing of time dominates my thoughts more than any other topic. Not much makes me happier than finding someone who enjoys pondering on this strangeness with me.
Of course I'm not surprised at all that you're one of those people, Daniele. Thanks for this. The last paragraph was something I really needed this week. Cheers.
I often think of the Chuck Palahniuk/Tyler Durden line: "On a long-enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." It’s indeed sobering but not wrong.
The closing lines: "Do whatever you can do to bring a smile in the lives of those close to you. Other than that, play more and stress less, for there’s no future reward for missing out on joy today." Awesome - so wise. Thank you for spreading this message around. We need it these days for sure.
I agree with your premise, but draw the opposite conclusion: that how we live deeply matters, because it echoes into the lives of millions, regardless of biological connection. Choosing to respond to trauma with compassion or with violence can trigger generational changes that reshape the entire lives of people hundreds of years away.
Perhaps I’d reframe your conclusion as: what we do matters little, how and why we do it matters more than we could imagine. Basically Gandhi’s whole point. :)
Great piece. I recently wrote a poem contemplating these truths that you might like.
https://open.substack.com/pub/dogandponyshow/p/home-sweet-scrapheap?r=jo7zc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Having children is leaving a legacy.
Sometimes adults are just not interested in knowing their own parents. Sad, but true. Can't get my own to find time, or interest, which has been the source for a lot of sadness for me. I don't know what happened to this generation but I hope the next one can remedy the problem. It is a type of rot that has hollowed out our very existence.
I was never an attention hog, and suspect few remember me - even among relatives, and I have no children. What I have always done is make stuff, from manufacturing durable tools I designed to art I hand-crafted. I find comfort knowing that all these things will be treasured until fire or flood take them from their owners. None of them will be carelessly lost or tossed, whether that's mere years from when I made them or centuries. These items are now all over the world. Thinking of them, and the pleasure they bring to whoever owns them now, brings a smile to my face. I will return to dust soon; the long trail of things I made will live on.
Your traditional Catholic roots are calling you back. Don’t ignore them.
The strangeness of the passing of time dominates my thoughts more than any other topic. Not much makes me happier than finding someone who enjoys pondering on this strangeness with me.
Of course I'm not surprised at all that you're one of those people, Daniele. Thanks for this. The last paragraph was something I really needed this week. Cheers.
Beautifully said, Daniele!
thank you!
I often think of the Chuck Palahniuk/Tyler Durden line: "On a long-enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero." It’s indeed sobering but not wrong.
The closing lines: "Do whatever you can do to bring a smile in the lives of those close to you. Other than that, play more and stress less, for there’s no future reward for missing out on joy today." Awesome - so wise. Thank you for spreading this message around. We need it these days for sure.
❤️❤️❤️
Well said, per usual, Daniele! There is certainly peace to be enjoyed once one accepts this reality. Much love to you and yours :)
What a ‘take a moment and consider’ essay. Our lives, ‘a tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing.’ Daniele thanks for reminding us.
Thanks for this wonderful message during a very difficult week, Daniele.