Was the Last Time Your Last?
By Daniel Miessler on December 12th, 2007: Tagged as Philosophy
I used to be into BMX bikes. I was obsessed. Every little thing about it was interesting. The brakes, the handlebars, the different types of mags — all of it. One day — I don’t remember when — I got off my last BMX bike. I wish I would have realized it when it happened.
Later in life I got into skateboarding. My favorite board was a John Lucero. Again, I was into it. Independent trucks, bulletball wheels, rails, skid plates and copers. I could rail slide like the board was part of me, and I could ollie a solid two feet. At some point — I don’t remember when — I ollied up my last curb. I wish I could have realized it when it happened.
Do you remember the last time you climbed a tree? Do you remember how much you used to love it? I do. If you’re like me you never planned on the last time you did it being your last time doing it. In fact, you never planned on there being a last time.
And it’s the same for a million things that are precious in life that we may never do again. Playing a role-playing game with your friends, burning a leaf with a magnifying glass, or eating a meal with your grandfather. It’s possible to dwell on this to the point of it becoming morbid, but we don’t have to.
Instead, just remember a simple, very old concept: appreciate everything you do — no matter how tedious — as you are doing it. Living in the moment isn’t some distant Zen concept; it’s no less than how to fully appreciate life.:
