Some might say it's all about the hokey-pokey. You know, you put your left foot in, and all that.
People have been searching for the meaning of life, what it's all about, for, I imagine, as long as there have been people. I don't want to get into religion or theology. I'm no expert and that discussion or debate would take a very long time indeed.
I'm talking about time. When it comes down to it, that's all we have in this world. A wise person once said to me that death is the price we pay for life. We all pay the piper. Who hasn't sat up all night and wondered what's out there? What's beyond this mortal coil?
Oh yes, of course, there are so many wonderful things that life is about: family, love, friends, relationships, church, sports, and so on. But in order to enjoy all that life offers us -- we need time.
None of us know when it's going to be time to check out. We all, hopefully, live a long life and are able to pass away peacefully in our sleep at a ripe old age. But who knows.
Yet despite all the uncertainty, we still waste so much time. Sometimes it's tough to know what's the right thing to do? Is watching TV and video games a better choice than hiking or biking if that's what you enjoy? What is the right balance of work and friendship and fun and family?
I know I had to make the choice when I moved here to move away from family and friends. Of course, over time you make new acquaintances, and hopefully, some become good friends.
The odd thing is that even not knowing how long we have and knowing that time is finite -- we still can't wait for the next time interval.
Nobody likes Mondays. Even people that enjoy their jobs are often thinking about, "Well, if I'm busy that will make the day go faster." "I can't wait until lunch." "Only two more hours until the end of the day." "It's Wednesday, hump day, only two more days until the weekend!"
As if we really need to speed up our lives. Sometimes I wonder why we can't slow down and enjoy it more.
I'm as guilty as the next guy. We all seem to measure life in the time until the next big "something." "Another month until Christmas break!" "Three more weeks until summer vacation starts!"
And then when you get into your 50s it becomes, "how much longer do I have until I can retire and enjoy the good life?!"
I don't know what the answer is. All I can say is I think it's up to all of us to just be kind and enjoy the time we do have as best we can. Cherish that time and cherish your friends and family, those people you care about.
- Craig Lindsay is the reporter for the Mountain View Gazette
