It’s a harsh reality of life that however vibrant and full of mirth it may be right now, one day it shall be no more.
This pensive approach to the inevitable is perhaps no better illustrated than in Shakespeare’s masterpiece “Hamlet,” via the Prince’s musings over Yorick’s skull. Now, in case you may not recollect, Yorick is the deceased court jester whose skull is exhumed by the gravedigger in Act 5, Scene 1.
The sight of Yorick’s skull evokes reflections of the man who Hamlet recalls vividly:
Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? Your gambols? Your songs? Your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar?
You see, no matter how full of gibes, gambols and songs we might be today, there will be a day when we can offer the world nothing more than memories.
Now, I know what some might be thinking here, and that is that this subject is a bit too morose for the usual musings in The Deep Woods. But you see, I think of this subject as anything but morose. In fact, I think of it as liberating, and the best of reasons to celebrate the right here and the right now.
AI image created by Jim Woods
It is my view that knowing we have this life, right here, right now, and knowing that one day it will all cease is the most empowering and most compelling reason to maximize every moment.
By “maximize every moment,” I mean that quite literally.
I mean it when it comes to the simple and mundane daily tasks of survival, such as eating, sleeping, brushing your teeth, bathing, etc. Maximizing every moment means doing these pedestrian things in full focus, with full attention to detail, and doing so while being aware of the simple-yet-profound pleasure that is being alive.
Of course, when it comes to the bigger, more significant aspects of life, well, it is here that maximizing every moment is even more crucial. Life is a process of self-sustaining and self-generated action. Knowing this means that the choices we make each day, both seemingly minor and overtly monumental, will ultimately determine our existence.
This truth also comes with the corollary knowledge of knowing that it is incumbent upon us to make the most rational, most well thought out, and most life-affirming choices we can make, no matter how difficult those choices may be.
This applies to our approach to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics and even aesthetics. It’s also true when it comes to how we choose to engage with our fellow humans, who we choose to love, what we choose to do as a productive purpose and who we choose to be. These choices are complex, challenging, fraught with peril and susceptible to deep disappointment and failure. Yet despite the complexity, these choices also can be filled with glory, exaltation and sublime achievement.
As humans, we must make these choices in order to survive, and more importantly, in order to prevail. Accepting this existential truth is as important as accepting the reality that one day we will all be the province of the gravedigger.
So, I say maximize every moment with the merriment of Yorick. Much more happiness, truth, beauty and wisdom will come to us that way.
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The Virtue of Socratic Ignorance
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
–Socrates
The ability to approach the world and your knowledge of it with humility, curiosity and bravery can best be expressed by Socrates’ maxim that wisdom resides in admitting we don’t have all of the answers. And as tempting as it may be to align ourselves with tribal promises of certitude, safety and acceptance, I say reject this false consolation.
False consolation is no consolation at all, and tribal alignment amounts to what I consider the forsaking of the only thing you possess that makes you human — your rational faculty. Think for yourself, admit you don’t have all of the answers and be good with that. It’s the first step toward true wisdom.
Wisdom about money, investing and life can be found anywhere. If you have a good quote that you’d like me to share with your fellow readers, send it to me, along with any comments, questions and suggestions you have about my newsletters, seminars or anything else. Click here to ask Jim.
In the name of the best within us,
Jim Woods
