Today, while reading various blogs, I stumbled upon a beautiful piece by Jamie Crisman on longest.voyage. One quote at the footer of the blog struck me profoundly:
Life is short, yet it's the longest thing you do.
This thought led me to ponder whether life is genuinely short or if we often fail to live it to its fullest potential.
Reflecting on my own journey, I realize I have accomplished few things in my life. I studied diligently to achieve good scores, excelled as a bright student at university, and landed my first job at the age of 21.
I created art and music, developed a knack for public speaking, and carried myself with a sense of confidence.
However, everything changed when I turned 22.
After college, I moved into a flat in Bengaluru, conveniently located near the industry where I worked. It was then that I began to feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness. Suddenly, I found myself lacking the motivation to study, create art, or compose new music—activities that had once brought me immense joy during my school and college years. Instead, I felt haunted by thoughts that made me feel weak and uncertain.
Now, at 27, I look back on those five years and realize something profound, thanks in large part to my grandfather, who helped me uncover this small yet impactful insight:
Stop doing things in life merely to show others that you are doing things.
This simple yet powerful realization has transformed my perspective.
Once we begin to live a more authentic and basic human life, it may not seem so short after all. It’s kind of taking shorter steps toward building something significant later—more like an investment in our future.
When we live to impress others or to be compared with them, we often find ourselves going nowhere.
I believe that everyone is born with a unique capacity, or talent. Whether we choose to use it or waste it is entirely up to us.
It’s always better to understand, analyze, and nurture those innate talents, to upskill, and to cultivate the confidence needed to take pride in who we are.
As I began to embrace this philosophy, I noticed a shift in my life.
I started to contribute to activities that I love, even if it was just once a week.
I started to blog.
Initially I used to write personal stories and memoirs on my blogs. It was like an e-journal. It helped me to build a discipline and passion for writing.
Once I gained some confidence and discipline in my writing, I decided to build my blog to write and express on the topics that interested me.
Engaging in these pursuits not only reignited my passion but also rewired my brain, encouraging the production of positive hormones and improving my overall functioning.
In simple terms, I realized that the only solution to the feeling that life is short is to gain a degree of control over our minds and bodies.
Everything else we do or have in life is temporary and for a shorter period.
The only thing that stays with us for the longest is our own life: our memories, our habits, and our experiences.
This realization has been transformative for me. It serves as a reminder that life is not just about achievements; it’s about finding joy in the everyday moments and nurturing the passions that truly resonate with us.
By focusing on what genuinely matters, we can enrich our lives and, in turn, discover that life, while fleeting, can also be deeply fulfilling.
In conclusion, as I continue on this journey, I strive to live authentically, embracing my unique talents and passions.
I encourage others to do the same, for in nurturing our true selves, we can find a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends the fleeting nature of time.
Life may be short, but it can also be the longest and most meaningful journey we embark upon.
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