Skip to main content

Gone Too Soon




Gone too soon is a bitter truth that hits hard when you have fond memories of the person to look back and smile upon. 

However inevitable it may be, death is something we are least prepared for. Rarely do we acknowledge death and prepare for it. It is far easier to know we are going to die one day. We all know it. We are destined to die the moment we are conceived. 

But it is one thing to know and totally another to realize and accept we are going to die. How many of us live as if we are going to die today. Will we be really at peace preparing for death? Why is it that we wait for someone to tell us we don't have much time to start valuing time? 

We always hear someone or other say, “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” Most times we have a hearty laugh about it but ignore what it tells us. How many times do we ask ourselves if today is going to be the last day of our life, what is that we would do? 

Steve Jobs in his now-famous Standford Commencement address speaks about looking at himself in the mirror and asking, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

He further continues, "Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

Believe me, nobody really wants to die and we believe ourselves to be kind of immortals till the time death comes knocking and we start scampering to squeeze in all things on our bucket list if we had ever made one. It is strange that despite knowing we can't cheat it nor escape it, we still hope to do exactly that. 

Our time here is limited. And nothing ever is gone too soon, really. It's just that we are not prepared. Not prepared to accept the inevitable. We may believe that one day we are going to die but strangely enough, we are sure it's not going to be anytime soon. That's where we are wrong. For when death does come calling, we lament about the life we planned to live but never quite lived. And 'gone too soon' becomes an aberration. 






Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day One -- What Am I Going To Write About?

To be honest, I’m not sure. I didn’t have a plan for this. A few ideas popped into my head yesterday, but I let them slip away without writing them down. So now, I’m here, wondering... What should I write about? I’ve always admired how writers seem to find the words. They don’t just tell stories; they make sense of life. Whether it’s fiction, essays, or poems, their words flow effortlessly, drawing you into their world. It’s like magic—captivating and transformative. Somehow, they’ve mastered the craft of turning simple words into gems that stay with you long after you’ve read them. And then, there’s me. I just write. I let my thoughts spill out, raw and unfiltered, without much structure or thought. No carefully woven narrative, no grand flow—just whatever comes to mind. Sometimes, I wonder if I’ll ever get to the level of those writers who make it all seem so easy. Maybe I will. Maybe I won’t. But right now, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m writing. I showed
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 2 - What's Your Purpose?

Have you ever truly asked yourself, What’s my purpose? It’s a question many ask, but few genuinely pursue. We often move through life, following routines without stopping to consider why we’re doing what we do. Many choices are made simply because "that’s how it’s always been done," without questioning the deeper reasons behind them. Think about it: How often do people choose a career because it's popular, without ever asking themselves, Why do I want to do this? It’s rare to pause and reflect on what drives us at our core. But those who are in pursuit of purpose— they ask the important questions. They don’t just accept choices blindly; they challenge the status quo, question the outcomes, and evaluate the significance of their actions in relation to their larger goals. Purpose provides clarity. It’s the compass that guides decisions and actions, ensuring every step is intentional. It’s not just about achieving success; it’s about creating meaningful change,
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 3 - The Power of Letting Go: Why It's Okay to Give Up

In a world that glorifies perseverance and celebrates grit, we're often told to keep pushing through no matter the cost. "Winners never quit, and quitters neve win" has been drilled into us since childhood. But what if sometimes the strongest, wisest choice is to let go? What if walking away could be your key to unlocking a better future? There are moments in life when we know—deep down—that continuing down the same path is futile. Yet, we keep going, fueled by hope that maybe, just maybe, things will turn around. We tell ourselves, "I'll give it one more try," even when we know it's unlikely to work. So why do we hold on? There are many reasons, but they often come down to fear: What will people say? Will I be seen as a failure? How can I let go when I’ve given it my everything? I can’t imagine my life without this. There must be a way to make it work! These thoughts cloud our judgment, keeping us stuck. But the real point is not the reason
Post a Comment
Read more