It’s the end of the day and I find myself struggling with some vague feelings of sadness and loss. I had a quiet, focused day at work, writing software, while listening to my “Moody Moments” playlist. I love that playlist, and it always puts me in a nostalgic mood. Following on that I continued my reading of the excellent book Being Caribou, a chapter in which it happens that several caribou cows have lost their calves to predation and exhaustion during their long and perilous migratory journey across the arctic. And following on that I’ve been reflecting on a friend of mine who will be returning permanently to France in a mere week. I’ve known him only for a couple of years, but he has left an indelible imprint on me and I will miss him.
All of this in such a short time span has reminded me once again of the things that are truly important in life: friendship, love, togetherness, community, and mutual support. And also of the biting irony that the economic system we live under doesn’t value those essential interests, instead favouring material wealth. Am I bitter about the current state of the world, the obscene wealth being extracted from most of us by a gluttonous few, and the environmental and social devastation being caused by it? Absolutely. But there are lots of articles on this blog about that. I digress.
My actual point is this: time is non-refundable. Once you use it, you’re not getting it back, so use it as wisely as you can. Spend time with others, as much as you can. Provide support to people you love, and even those you don’t. Go to see live theatre. Go to the local pub on a regular basis, and watch live music in a small venue. Go to a dog park, even if you don’t have a dog. Experience art of all kinds and drink in its meaning. Contribute your own, no matter how small.
Life has no meaning, but it can be made meaningful. And the easiest and best way to do that is to simply be with other people.