Thursday, December 01, 2005

Is what I can see all there is?

Indulge my philosophical babble for a minute, because lately I have been thinking about it. Not the it that eBay ads refer to, although I guess it could be. Something deeper. I'm writing this as a reminder to myself, but also with the hope that my daughter Courtney will read it.

Did you ever look around and wonder if this is really it? Is what you can see around you really all there is? Are there no invisible strings pulling at just the right moment, moving us in the right direction, helping us make the hard decisions, saving us from ourselves? Are we really responsible?  Independent?  Alone?

Frightening as it may seem, yes. This is it. What you did yesterday, what you will do today and tomorrow, will be your benchmark. Your signature. Your offering. Those who will remember you will likely do so because you accomplished something along the way that made a difference to them.

We, without the benefit of imagined safeguards, conjured guidelines or invisible framework, are responsible for ourselves. There are no safety belts. There are no do-overs.  This life, right now, this instant, is the only one you'll ever have. What you see around you is all there is.

This is it.

If you know what's good for you, do something.  While you have the chance, grab the reins. Live well. Do the deed. Take the leap.

Fearlessly leave your mark.

2 comments:

... said...

Exactly what I have always said, but not nearly as well as you just did.

I don't know how blue in the face I have gotten trying to explain to those that I love, that this is it, you only get one chance to do it right and then it is over, no do overs....thanks for putting in writing for me.

Weary Hag said...

This post is so profound and yet so simply stated. I envy your knack for brevity sometimes. You and I know damned well that if I had tried to say even half of this - it would have ended up being a book chapter for pete's sake.

I'm one of those sappy romantics who believe that this cannot be all of "it." I do certainly agree that we only get one chance here and we should all leave our little mark - or else - why bother being here. We should all understand as clearly as possible that we're not going to be passing through this particular film clip again. BUT ... and I'm not talking 'religion' here - not at all - I do believe there's more ... a further plan ... something else. I base this on absolutely nothing other than hunch and gut.

I love when you go and get all philosophical.

Basically, I agree that this HERE is "it" ... but that there's another "it" after this one, in another sort of dimension.

I also believe there won't be any kind of judgement or punishment in store for those who choose not to buy into that.