Have you ever found yourself scrolling mindlessly through social media,
Suddenly struck by how quickly trends,
News,
And even entire years seem to fly past?
Maybe like me,
You've looked up from your screen and thought,
Wow,
Where did all that time go?
What's interesting,
Though,
This feeling isn't new,
Even though our modern-day technology seems to amplify it.
Marcus Aurelius faced the same realization nearly 2,
000 years ago.
Despite ruling an empire,
Marcus constantly reminded himself that life is short and time slips away faster than we realize.
One of the things he wrote was,
This concept or idea isn't meant to scare us,
It serves as a reminder to cherish the present and live meaningfully.
When we truly recognize life's brevity,
Our purpose becomes often clearer,
And we feel motivated to spend our limited time wisely,
Aligning with what truly matters to us.
So in this meditation,
We're going to experience this powerful perspective together,
Not as something morbid,
But as something deeply motivating and meaningful.
So if you haven't already,
Begin by finding a comfortable seated position.
Allow your body to relax naturally,
And gently close your eyes.
Take a slow,
Calming breath in,
And breathe out.
Continue breathing deeply.
Take a moment to become aware of this very instant,
The only moment you truly possess.
Feel the weight of your body resting on the chair or floor beneath you.
Notice the subtle sounds around you,
The quiet hum of life happening in this exact moment.
Continue breathing deeply with calming breaths,
Allowing your attention to anchor you here and now.
Now imagine yourself beside a gentle flowing river.
Picture this scene vividly in your mind's eye.
Watch as it quietly carries fallen leaves along its current.
Imagine each leaf representing a moment from your life,
Some joyous,
Some challenging,
Some mundane.
Observe how each leaf appears,
Floats by,
And then naturally drifts away.
Now there's no need to grasp or chase after any of these leaves.
You can just simply sit there,
Watch them pass,
Feeling a gentle acceptance of time's continuous flow.
Bring gently to mind the reality that,
Just like these leaves,
Our lives also have a natural flow,
A beginning and an end.
This truth isn't meant to sadden or frighten us,
But rather to focus us,
To remind us how precious each moment truly is.
Remember Marcus's gentle reminder,
Death hangs over thee,
While you live,
Be good.
Allow this thought to settle gently within you.
With this understanding,
Ask yourself now,
If life is fleeting,
What truly matters to you?
What would you dedicate your precious moments to,
Knowing your time is limited?
Allow your priorities and values to gently rise in your mind,
Perhaps loved ones,
Passion,
Kindness,
Creativity,
Or just simply experiencing peace and joy.
Picture yourself spending your time today in alignment with these values.
Now,
Bringing your focus back to your breath,
I want you to imagine breathing in something deeply meaningful to you,
Love,
Creativity,
Connection,
Kindness.
With each exhale,
Imagine releasing distractions or trivial worries,
Grudges,
Envy,
Anxiety.
Breathe in purpose,
Breathe out distraction.
Allow your breath to guide you gently toward clarity and intention.
Think of one small action you can commit to today that aligns closely with your deepest values.
Perhaps calling someone you love,
Dedicating time to your passion,
Or simply savoring your evening meal with full attention.
Silently,
To yourself,
Commit to this act,
Honoring life's brevity by truly living your values.
Remember,
Impermanence isn't meant to make us fearful,
It's meant to inspire us.
Each moment you experience today is a unique gift,
Never repeated.
As Marcus Aurelius urged himself,
Don't wait for someday to become who you truly wish to be.
While you live,
While it is in your power,
Be good.
Take in one last deep breath,
Savoring this calm,
Mindful state,
And gently open your eyes.
Live today with intention,
Appreciating each moment and aligning with your actions with what truly matters.
Thank you.
