10 Days Later

When we get annoyed, irritated, or stressed about something, there is a great way to help ourselves calm down. It’s helpful to think, “How much will this matter 10 days from now?” If the answer is, “Not much” or “Not at all” then you’re able to help free yourself from holding onto the annoying temporary feelings and how serious they feel. If you’re answer is, “I’m not sure” then think to yourself, “How much will this affect me 10 months from now?” Keep extending this amount of time by tens - 10 days, 10 months, 10 years, and so forth. It doesn’t take long to realize that every moment is temporary and lasts only for so long.

Understanding life’s timeline helps to put things into perspective. When I think about all the times I was nervous in the past, and the relevance that it holds for me now, it’s literally zero. I’ve never gained anything by being nervous. Maybe I’ve saved myself from being in some sketchy situations when I was younger by picking up on some bad vibes. However, it’s often common sense that saves us from trouble, not a feeling of nervousness.

Life has never improved by worrying. No one has ever recommended worry as a cure to a solution. We may even look for others to guide us and help us to know where to go next. However, we know more than we give ourselves credit for. Life is mysterious, but we aren’t in a black hole. We’re given of conscience for a reason. While some people may have a seemingly natural distorted view of things, I believe that we can all find the truth if we look for it. It’s only when we become stubborn to opinion in which we blind ourselves.

Now, back to life’s timeline. The bad news is – everything in this life you do and aspire for will fade away, whether you achieve it or not. Eventually no one cares. We’re all dust and we will return to dust. Boo hoo - sad story? Not necessarily. We feel a drive to succeed because we’re built to last. Our souls know that something lies beyond this world and the effort we put in is not wasted.

There’s something mysterious about this life. We’re not just a bunch of animals in the wild. There’s something more to just existing for a random chance for survival. We’re built for something more. Life, it’s temporary, but we can live fully without concern for being trapped in temporary hardships forever. What really matters is that we exist, here in the now, just as we are. We are all imperfect, but if we put to use the good that we have, we’ll make the most of this life – and it will hopefully make this life better for those who come after us.

For further related reading, please check out: Little Things Add Up.