When we are young we feel as though we are immortal. As we grow we begin to experience events that make us recognise that we are fragile, that life is fragile. Although we may look back at the naivety of youth as something good, the change in understanding can bring about a deeper understanding of what is important. When we realise life is fragile we begin to treat life as something to be treasured. We treat life as something special. We begin to treat the lives of those close to us as special.
Benedict (a monk) used to suggest that "Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die" reminding our`selves we are mortal is a positive thing. Considering our mortality helps us realise the extent to which we can or can't control life. Resulting in a true understanding of our human-ness. It reminds us that our lives are limited in length and gives an immediacy to life.
Recognising this fragility can be negative. By focusing too much on the temporary nature of life we may begin to cling to it, through worry, through hoarding, through self preservation. We end up living in fear. But this need not be the case....
For me understanding my mortality inspires me to take joy in what I have. To love life, to enjoy each moment, not living in the past thinking about how things didn't work out or constantly looking to the future. But enjoy the here and now. It also causes me to reflect on whether how I am living will leave a positive impact on the earth for those who come after me.
Knowing that my time here is limited inspires me to find out more about God who is not limited by time, top search for him and what . and the advice that he has to give on how to live and be.
