Impermanence
- Apr 16, 2017
- 2 min read
I had a passionate conversation with my beloved a couple of days ago. I made the comment that I had grown to better appreciate impermanence. Because everything changes. Nothing is permanent. All we know and all that we are is, fleeting.
Especially our relationships. People move into and out of our circle regularly and we should be okay with that.
We should not crumble when a marriage ends, or we lose a job, or death claims a loved one. I'm not advocating being unfeeling, but aware.
Sidebar: I believe death ushers us into our next state of existence.
My beloved, regarding relationships, sees my perspective as a lame excuse to walk away from a relationship when things get tough. Because, we are unwilling to work through the hard parts. She believes it is noble and character building to stick in there.
We agreed to disagree.
Like the child making bubbles, it's great fun. Making them. Seeing them grow huge. Watching them float. Then pop on the grass or on a tree. I loved making those big bubbles as a kid. And even though they popped. I still had fun. And kept making them, knowing they would eventually burst anyway.
That's my point about impermanence. Though we know things are fleeting (jobs, relationships, health, good economic times) it does not mean we stop loving, or bringing our excellent selves to our work every day.
My point is that we build, love, ship, write, grow anyway.
One of my favorite people in the personal growth space, Marie Forleo, whom I'll meet soon, fields a question from one of her community members. Marie gives her perspective on impermanence.
It is easy for us to get knocked out because, our identity is wrapped up in a thing. Then, when that thing ends, we don't know what to do.
I believe, living with the understanding that nothing is permanent adds a level of freedom to our lives, one that forces us to enjoy the present more fully.
What do you believe and practice? Let me know in the comments.
Comments