Strength in Reflection
“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.” — Harvey Mackay
We’re facing challenges. I don’t need to list them—you know. These events have left us vulnerable. Over the past weeks, I’ve had one-on-one sessions with people who can’t sleep due to anxiety and fear. Life has become stressful for many.
Social media plays a massive role. Many are addicted to platforms that reaffirm their fears, creating a vicious cycle. We were never created to handle the avalanche of negative information thrown at us daily—news, statistics, live footage, interviews, opinions, false information, conspiracy theories.
No wonder anxiety is epidemic. I’ve never spoken to so many people taking medication to cope with reality. Doctors have jobs to do, but I question whether prescribed drugs truly help. A few minutes per appointment makes it easier to just write prescriptions.
Two Unavoidable Realities
First: We are vulnerable. We’re finite beings. The day will come when the curtain falls. That’s it—no replay, no second chance. Many find this depressing, but it doesn’t have to be. What would be depressing is not using your time to make life better for others.
The Psalmist David wrote: “Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” Of course, we don’t know how many days we have. That’s the point.
Brian May of Queen wrote “Who Wants to Live Forever,” asking that crucial question. The song ends: “Who wants to live forever, Forever is our today. Who wants to live forever anyway?”
Forever is our today. That’s all we have. Every day we wake up, we’ve been blessed with another “today.” Appreciate it, live it, do something with it. This will “develop wisdom in our hearts.”
Second: We are infinite. How can we be both finite and infinite? God breathed life into us—we became living creatures. We’re not just flesh and blood; we’re living souls. Our bodies may be finite, but our souls are infinite. They don’t stop when we say farewell.
You may not believe this—that’s your choice. But answer this: What’s the meaning and purpose of life without a soul? Why face harsh realities if there’s no deeper purpose?
Our Sole Purpose
I believe my sole purpose is becoming a healthy living soul. To rise above suffering and hurt so I can be an example for others. The Sermon on the Mount instructs us to “seek first the Kingdom of God”—to strive toward doing the highest good we can possibly conceive. This is our calling.
It’s not easy. Obstacles abound. The monsters in childhood stories—wolves, dragons, evil waiting to pounce—they’re indicative of life. As we try to fulfill our highest good, we’ll face dragons, poisoned apples, and evil in many guises. The scary truth? Evil is often well camouflaged.
Often we’re our own worst enemies. Our ego, fears, apathy, lack of discipline—they capture us. We blame everyone else, never attaining God’s purpose. This is unbelievably sad.
“The monsters were never under my bed, because the monsters were inside my head.” — Nikita Gill
It doesn’t have to be this way. We have a responsibility to nurture our souls. We must own this responsibility.
Today is your forever. Make it count.