We are always running, whether we know it or not. The question is to where. Are we running towards a better job, retirement, soulmate, kids or even enlightenment. There is another destination beyond all these mini goals and that is where we all finish our race or start a new one depending on what you believe. Well, I am talking about Death – clutches of Lord Yama who never fails to collect his dues.

We are all running towards death – most people don’t like to talk about it as if it doesn’t exist. Some think it’s morbid and dampens their spirits. Regardless, we are all going to die or leave our physical bodies. This is happening as I write, with every breath I take I am using up my life force.

Now, that we have established that we are running towards death – what next? Does this mean that with every birthday I start crying and lamenting that I am a year closer to dying? And this leads us right into one of my favorite quotes.

The question now becomes what do we with what we have been given. One option is to do as much as you can before your die. Another option is to just sit like a vegetable as we are going to die right? Well, the vegetable option is definitely gone because our minds have so much energy in what they think that it will be near impossible for a normal human being to sit quietly for the rest of his life. [World would be a better place if we could!]

We could try and do as much as we can.. we can try. But then our desires are unlimited and will remain so, there will always be the next thing. So does this mean that we will never be able to fulfill all that our heart desires?

STORYTIME

The following story is one that’s been circulating for awhile.

A professor of philosophy stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was full.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and watched as the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The professor then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They chuckled and agreed that it was indeed full this time.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled the remaining open areas of the jar. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar signifies your life. The rocks are the truly important things, such as family, health and relationships. If all else was lost and only the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand signifies the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions.

If you put sand into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same can be applied to your lives. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important.

One way to keep a check if you are filling your life jar with sands,pebbles or stones is to ask, “If I was to do die tomorrow, then what would I do now?”

As we are running towards death the least we can do is to have fun while we are at it.