How many of us treat passing moments of our existence (that by their very nature are passing us by in a fleeting exchange) as if they are in fact a permanent fixture? It’s true that sometimes our world can find a period of prolonged stability, where for the most part the basic flow of our lives seem relatively unchanged and predictable, to the point where we almost struggle to imagine them any other way. Sadly though, this is when complacency can creep in, where we quickly fall into our daily routines and to our detriment take everything and everyone for granted. For a simple example, we may say “It’s eight o’clock on a Thursday, so it’s time to watch my favourite TV program like I always do.” But then we automatically assume that next week on Thursday at eight o’clock we will be doing the exact same thing. Also, how many times do we think of meeting up with our friends or family, but then decide to cancel; presuming that we will easily see them some time next week? But despite this momentary stability, the fact is that life is as unpredictable and uncertain as ever. So it’s possible that this time next week your entire world could be unrecognisable!
It doesn’t take as much as you might think for your life to change drastically, because it’s not so much the world that changes, rather our perception of it. So if you compare your perception of the world to a structure, all you need to do is remove the supporting pillars and the entire bulk of the building comes crashing down under it’s own weight. In my experience, it only needs for those important people or important things that give your life it’s familiarity to fall away suddenly and without warning, and your existing perception of life comes crashing down. Because when someone who is very close to you, a person who is such a huge part of your daily life passes away it creates an emptiness within, a feeling that causes you to reflect heavily upon the past, replaying all the memories you hold of that person with whom you spent so much of your time. From this new vantage point you can now see how even the most mundane and incidental moments you had together were all uniquely singular moments of fleeting engagement and so were in fact irreplaceable!
Speaking for myself, I came to realise that every single moment is precious, and that nothing (no matter how repetitive it may seem) is ever certain; that tomorrow is never guaranteed. However, when you tell people who have never been witness to such a change of perception, they often accuse you of being dramatic or just plain morbid. But as far as I see it, if I’m being anything particular, it’s just me being honest. When my Father died, I watched first hand how something that once felt so very safe and secure (and that I all too often took for granted myself) collapse all but overnight, and so from out of that toppled perceptive structure, a new perception was erected in it’s place. Only this time, I have become exceedingly more aware of it’s weak points. But if you still believe I’m being dramatic or morbid, then that’s fine too, as I used to think exactly the same. I remember many people telling me to enjoy my youth and make the most of those I value while I could, as they wouldn’t be around forever. But in the end all I could ever really pass on is to at least have as many good experiences as you can, because while the moments themselves may not last, the memories they create often do....
© Westley Nash (2018)
#thoughtsofsteel
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and view my content, I am most honoured indeed and hope you have a really great day :)
Best wishes
Westley xx
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