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.:
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I remember what i did the first thing after high school. I went to the local liquor store and bought potato chips and dip, and went to my mom’s house with a friend. The first hour was spent just reflecting what was over.
Similarly, I remember the last day I wore a baseball uniform. I was given the let go from the college baseball tryouts, and I was kind of glad. my shoulder was worn out, and i couldn’t throw the ball anymore, not like i used to. I was only 20 years old, but i had played baseball for 15 years of my life. I wore that uniform the rest of the day. When I took it off, it went into a drawer full of clothes that didn’t fit anymore, and shortly thereafter, I moved away.
Sometimes, if you do remember, you just can’t shake it. Never.
-=T=-
Comment by TIMM — 12/12/2007 @ 5:29 am
One of my great joys in life is finding an album I really love and listening the hell out of it. Then one day it gets swapped by another album and I forget it even exists … for a long time. Then one day I rediscover it, put it on and find a joy I had not felt in a long time.
Comment by Maxo — 12/12/2007 @ 1:21 pm
Never say never.
One day you may have kids.
– Arik
Comment by Arik — 12/12/2007 @ 6:04 pm
I was just thinking about this the other day. I was walking betwween buildings and decided to take a shortcut, jumped down over a railing and walked along a path that had some obstacles. I got to thinking that between work, projects, taking care of the children etc I just don’t “play” outside like I did when I was a kid.
I miss that.
Comment by Eamon — 12/13/2007 @ 8:18 pm
Wagons, bicycles, Santa Claus,… all things from the past. Even old girl friends from grade school and high school. Special teachers, long since passed away. So what’s to remember? And why? Those things are long gone. They directly affected us at the time, but now have nothing to do with our lives or decisions. We grow and we go. Nothing lasts. Which is good. It means we forget pain, sorrow, hurt, sadness, etc. As the old saying goes, “Yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is cash, spend it well.”
Comment by Marossity — 2/22/2008 @ 6:25 pm
Life is a journey. We leave things behind every day. If we become too attached to them, it only brings us sadness and suffering.
Turn the thought on its head. Why not try something today that you have never done before?
Comment by Alfredo Louro — 5/3/2008 @ 3:20 am