#007: What Good Is A Long Life?

If you died right now- as you read this newsletter-would you be happy to go?

Here is an ordinary man; let's call him Jonathan. He lived a regular 9 to 5 life in a suburban house with a small lawn. Jonathan lived a hundred years and died peacefully in his home. But Jonathan always wanted to be a painter. To express life's vibrant hues on canvas and evoke emotions through his art—but this dream remained unfulfilled.

Jonathan lived a century, but his dream died untouched, remaining a dusty relic in his mind.

Here is another man who lived half as long. Let's call him Steve Jobs. At age 21, Jobs co-founded Apple in his parent's garage, kickstarting a journey to revolutionize the technology industry. He encountered significant setbacks, including being ousted from the company he founded, yet he remained undeterred. Jobs returned stronger and bolder, leading Apple to create groundbreaking products that redefined our relationship with technology—died of a terrible disease at 56.

Seneca said, "Show me that a good life does not consist in the length of space but in the use of it." He says, in fact, it is not only possible but very common for someone who has liked a long life to have lived too little."

So, if your life were to end now, would you be content to go?

The answer hinges on a more profound question: Have you lived well?

As we grow older, our perception of time shifts. Time becomes a friend or an enemy. Time becomes more apparent as you look through the lens of what you've gained or lost. Regrets, accomplishments, ambitions, goals, and dreams.

How much of what you desire to accomplish have you actually achieved? The stark reality is most of us cannot respond with an enthusiastic "YES!" to this question.

Yet, the power to alter this narrative is in your hands, here and now. But every day, we say, "I'll start tomorrow." "I'll start on Monday;" "Wouldn't the New Year be the perfect time to start this project?"

Nonsense!

Fast forward years later, we are exactly where we were. The start never comes. Epictetus said, how long will you take before you demand the best for yourself?

The time to start is not tomorrow, next week, or next year. The time is now at this very moment.

Reflecting on a life lived too little can be a painful realization. It stems from waiting too long to begin, failing to heed the call of your true purpose, or wasting time chasing trivial pursuits.

Why do we do this?

You are too afraid to start.

Too worried about what others will think.

You think it's too late.

They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.

I challenge you to do - today - Do! Don't talk about it. Don't plan, don't strategize, don't philosophize. Do.

Start living! Start living well.