Our Life Is Short

Life is fragile. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow so give it everything you’ve got

— Tim Cook

The perplexity of life is astounding. There is never a clear-cut way on how to live life. Any attempt at trying to crack the code leaves us more clueless.

Some people think that life is easier than it is. But the truth is, the rules of life are more complicated than the rules of chess. So let’s not pretend that we know life like the back of our hands. No one can predict with certainty how the future will unfold.

Would you know how your day will unfold tomorrow? You can make some predictions, but you won’t know with 100% certainty. Why?

Because life is more complicated than you think it is.

• Today you are healthy and strong; tomorrow, you are sick and feeble
• Today the world is peaceful; tomorrow it is chaotic
• Today the sun is bright; tomorrow, the skies are dark and dreary

• Today you are rich because you have a job; tomorrow, you are poor because you lose it.
• Today you are sharing the joys of love with your loved one; tomorrow, you are mourning their loss

The list goes on. You get the point.

In life, everything around us constantly changes. Nothing in life is stagnant. Today you are walking on the grass, and tomorrow, you’re wading through the swampland.

Unexpected events happen. Our roles change. Even our personalities can change over time. People’s emotions, thoughts, values, perspectives on life change too. You are never the same person you were yesterday, a week ago, or a month ago.

The key to dealing with change is to embrace change.

Are you prepared to embrace change? Or are you afraid of change?

Life is like a roller-coaster. Once you sit on it, you ride on it. The ride may be rough, but you must endure it to survive. When you get off the roller coaster, you’ll be a different person than you were before. The roller-coaster of life will mold you into a better version of yourself.

Some things are outside of our control

The recent pandemic is a perfect example of how unpredictable life can be.

If anything the pandemic has taught me is that life can change on a dime. A year and a half ago, you wouldn’t have known that today the world would be ravaged by the deadly virus. Worse yet, no one would have imagined that there will be no end in sight in this pandemic. It seems to be getting worse each day.

Will we ever see the light under the tunnel? Again, it’s a tough question. We think we know the answer, but we don’t. Just as we don’t know if we will be alive tomorrow (although, of course, chances are you will be if you are healthy and strong).

To live life is to ride waves and tides. One day you’ll be gently rocked by the waves; the next day, you’ll be struck by the crashing tides.

But there is something you can do now to protect yourself from life’s blows — practicing mental fortitude. We live in a world rife with chaos and uncertainty. When life gets tough, get tougher, and be prepared to fight. If you build a metal shield around yourself, you’ll come out more resilient.

Don’t hold on to expectations. Tomorrow may not bring what you hoped for. Be flexible and be open to change. Live in the present moment. Live the best life you can today. Because tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Life is short

Life is shorter than you think. Enjoy life while it lasts. If great things happen in life, do the best you can to enjoy every ounce of it. Don’t be afraid to live. Just because nothing in life is guaranteed doesn’t mean you can’t live your best life today. Never take your life for granted and appreciate what you have. Because whatever you have today may be gone tomorrow in a puff.

And know that there is always sunshine after a storm. We can’t stop the storm from coming, but what we can do is minimize its impact on your lives. When you’re going through a painful period in life, it won’t be permanent and good experiences always follow the bad ones. That’s the law of life.

The takeaway

Nothing in life is guaranteed. No one can predict what tomorrow will bring. Life is too complex to try to figure out on our own terms. If you embrace that life is complex and unpredictable, you’ll be more prepared and open to change. In the meantime, you can live your best life today and give it everything you’ve got.

Nothing in life is promised except death.

— Kanye West