There is a quote that is attributed to the Dalai Lama floating around the internet. When asked what most surprised him about humanity, he responded:
‘Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.’
How many of us live in the way described above? We are constantly running trying to keep our head above water, and then we look up and years of superficial happiness, but elusive joy have passed us by.
We are a consumer culture. We spend so much time and energy spending money we don’t have to buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t really know or like. As a result of this, we clutter our lives with superficiality and miss out on what is substantive.
I challenge you to live. To stop complaining; stop surviving; stop living a life filled with nervous anxiety.
I consistently see people who put off what they really wanted for a later date and died without that later date ever coming. Spend meaningful time with your children; with your parents; visit (not text) friends; cut out some of the TV; spend more time thinking about something more substantive than the clothes you will wear and the hair on your head. Life is not a collection of things. Things are fillers for a lack of life. Pursue life and love—not things.
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This article spoke volumes to my life. The quoye from the Dalai Lama really gave me an insight into just how insane this life can make us if we allow it. I hope to start LIVING!
This is so beautiful and so true! Some of us worry so much about monetary that we work sooo much and forget about everything else. I know I do. And every so often I remember that when I didn't have the job I had now, God never stopped providing and if I quit my job today to just enjoy life for a month or two, God won't stop providing.
The day before yesterday I called out of work and spent the whole day (literally from like 7am until about 5pm) running various errands and enjoying the weather. My boyfriend and I even went to see my mom&sisters. And yesterday I had the day off and just relaxed in the park eating sandwiches with my bf. It just felt so free and I felt like going into work with a two-week notice lol.
Preach!
beautiful quote, if only it were that easy.
Wow! How inspiring, I really enjoyed reading this so much and find it to be so true. But the thing is that it is easier said than done. I have tried living life one day at a time but it seems like society pushes you back into the hamster wheel and no matter how hard you try its easier to get sucked back in then to get out of the vicious cycle. Do you have any suggestions?
Yes mam 😉 Remember to share this message with others too!
Beautiful words. I must confess I am one of those who is constantly moving from one thing to another. Sadly, I sometimes don't take the time to live in the present until a tragedy strikes and forces me to reflect. It is a challenge for me to live in the present. I think we are all conditioned to do otherwise. I am a work in progress. :)I try to live in the present by doing something spontaneous (big or small) each day either for myself or the ones I love. As simple as a phone call in the middle of the day, letting my sons tackle making pan cakes on their own —without thinking about the mess to come, or more complicated by planning an out of the blue picnic with the hubby.
I love this! The exact reason I am going back to school for what's in my heart and leaving a 70k a year job.
I really needed to read this today. Very awakening!
Good Morniiiiiiiing! What a beautiful post to start the day with! The last two lines said it all for me. "things are fillers for a lack of life. Persue life and love-not things".
Enjoy your day curliessss! 😉
What a great reminder. I recently finished grad school and I am constantly running from one thing to the next. I couldn't wait for grad school to be over so I could move to the next thing. I really need to learn to live and enjoy the present. Thank you!