Even If We Live For 100 Years, It's Merely A Blink Of An Eye Compared To Earth's 4.5 Billion Years

The most meaningful way to spend our limited time on Earth is by creating and sharing kindness and joy with others.

Me striking a Bhangra pose at Yukon's frozen Fish Lake | Photo taken with tripod

If we contemplate human longevity, even considering the most optimistic scenarios where we might live for 100 years or beyond, our existence remains remarkably brief in the grand timeline of Earth's history. To put this in perspective, even if we were to achieve the maximum human lifespan of 122 years, this duration would still be infinitesimally small compared to our planet’s 4.5 billion years of existence – merely a fleeting moment in the cosmic timeline. Our brief presence on this Earth becomes even more precious when we consider how we choose to spend this limited time.

Unfortunately, many of us squander these precious moments harbouring negative emotions, particularly hatred towards others. These moments could instead be invested in generating positivity, cultivating joy, and expressing love towards our fellow travelers on this brief journey through life. The act of hating serves no purpose, especially when we understand that both the object of our hatred and ourselves are temporary beings, destined to pass from this world. There is profound wisdom and joy to be found in embracing this larger perspective.

I am reminded of a deeply moving poem by a Punjabi poet named Gurbhajan Gill, which I will translate from its original Punjabi. The essence of this poem speaks to the futility of conflict, expressing how the poet has become thoroughly exhausted by engaging in petty quarrels and trivial disputes, leaving them without the strength or will to face truly significant challenges. This perfectly illustrates how we often deplete our mental and physical resources on inconsequential matters that could easily be avoided.

When truly meaningful opportunities arise, we frequently find ourselves depleted, having squandered our energy and capacity on these unnecessary fights. This realization leads us to an important truth: every minute of our existence is invaluable and should be utilized thoughtfully. We should focus on creating and sharing joy, spreading kindness, and treating others with genuine goodwill.

The practice of discrimination is particularly meaningless – it exists only as a social construct, deeply embedded in our consciousness through centuries of misguided doctrines. These artificial divisions are entirely human creations, bearing no relation to the fundamental nature of reality. In truth, there is no genuine hierarchy of superiority or inferiority among humans – we are all equal participants in this brief journey of life.

The mystery of what lies beyond death remains one of life's greatest unknowns. While various religious traditions and philosophical systems have attempted to provide explanations, the ultimate truth remains beyond our grasp. Perhaps there is wisdom in nature keeping this profound mystery veiled from our understanding.

Consider even the wealthiest and most influential individuals who currently exploit resources and accumulate power – they too must eventually depart this world. This truth often escapes those who possess great wealth and power, as they operate under a grand illusion of permanence. History provides us with compelling examples, such as the ancient Egyptians, who despite their elaborate attempts to preserve their rulers through mummification, could not overcome the fundamental reality of mortality. No civilization, no matter how advanced or powerful, has succeeded in transcending this basic truth - all must eventually pass away.

Joyful moments shared with others are the only ones that bring true fulfillment and meaning to our existence. These precious instances of genuine happiness and connection represent the purest expression of what it means to be alive. In this spirit of sharing joy, I am delighted to present a video I captured while dancing amidst the pristine wilderness of the Yukon territory. The scene unfolds near the majestic Yukon River, where the winter landscape has transformed everything into a breathtaking wonderland of pristine snow. Enjoy:

The most meaningful and fulfilling way to utilize our finite time on Earth is through the intentional creation and generous sharing of joy with others around us. By consciously choosing to spread happiness, care and positivity in our daily interactions, we not only enrich our own experience of life but also contribute to the collective wellbeing of our fellow human beings during our brief journey together.

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Cheerfully,
Gurdeep