On February 16, 2019 I posted the following thought on FaceBook:
We believe that Life is a story only about us; but we are oh so wrong. The story of Life was started well before we even took our first breathe and will continue being written long after our last. We are just supporting characters in the book called Life. We have some ups and downs, each chapter drives us to become something more but we forget that we are not alone. We have our friends and families; vast webs that spread out across continents. We witness the endings of those who came before us and cherish the ones that come to join us.
This story isn’t about us; yet it ours to decide what words are written.
Make each day worth it. Make Life matter.
I continue to look through the past, and find words spoke (or typed) to remind me of where I have come from and where I should be going. What is ironic now is that the world has advanced since 1986. That even since 2019, their is all this Artificial intelligence. I asked ChatGPT, how I should think about the thought I had and it surprised me.
In the grand narrative of existence, we often fall into the trap of believing that life is a tale solely centered around us. We become the protagonists in our own stories, convinced that every twist and turn, every triumph and tribulation, revolves around our desires, aspirations, and experiences. However, this perspective is profoundly flawed. Life, the epic novel of our universe, was in motion eons before our first breath and will persist long after our final exhale. We are, in essence, the supporting characters in this vast and intricate narrative, characters who make their entrances and exits on the stage of existence, leaving their imprints as they go.
Each of us plays a unique role, contributing to the overall plot in our own distinctive ways. Our lives are comprised of chapters, some marked by joyous highs, while others are mired in the depths of despair. Yet, amidst the turmoil, we often lose sight of a crucial truth: we are not solitary figures in this epic. We are connected by intricate webs, woven by the bonds of friendship and the ties of family that span continents and generations. Our existence is intertwined with countless others, as we share in the collective story of humanity.
We bear witness to the poignant conclusions of those who walked this path before us, learning from their journeys, honoring their legacies, and carrying forward their wisdom. Simultaneously, we welcome new souls into our lives, fresh characters entering the narrative, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to enrich the story.
This story, the story of Life, is not exclusively about us, but it is ours to shape. We are the authors of our own chapters, the composers of our own verses. Every word we inscribe with our actions and choices ripples through the tapestry of existence, affecting not only our individual narratives but also the collective storyline of humanity. The pen is in our hands, and the power to make each day meaningful, to infuse Life with purpose, lies within us.
So, let us resolve to craft a narrative that transcends the confines of self-interest. Let us make each day worth it, not only for ourselves but for those with whom we share this grand narrative.
That last line. This Grand Narrative hits home. The Universe could be more than 14 billion years and our lives are less then mere moments of moments. Yet, while passing through a busy airport with thousands of people walking by my gate, each one of those leading their own lives, with their own hopes, desires, and heart breaking memories. As individuals, we will not live forever, and only a select few might leave echoes behind. We, however, as whole should be known for the love of Life, because we are here, now, in this moment.