Lessons learned from life’s relentless flow and the true essence of living meaningfully
In the past, I used to think that the world would not function without me. Everything would appear dull, my presence would be missed everywhere, and there would be a void. Streets and roads would look deserted. However, I was wrong. I couldn’t grasp the reality that life moves on—it doesn’t stop for anyone.
Life is like a fast-moving train. Passengers get on and off at their respective stations, but the train moves on at its own pace, following its path, indifferent to anyone’s presence or absence. Sooner or later, one comes to terms with this truth. Of late, I too have begun to learn some of the complicated lessons of this mortal life.
When mighty kings, shrewd politicians, and distinguished leaders were alive, they believed that without them, the world would be barren. They thought thorns would replace flowers, rivers would cease to flow, and the soothing chirping of birds would fall silent. But none of this happened. They left the world empty-handed, and life continued at its usual pace.
It is not the world that stops—it is we who exit this stage, transferring into a realm unknown to us.
As I reflect on this reality, I see some lessons I’ve learned in this temporary life. I’ll share a few of them:
Life is impermanent. People are born and die in a constant, unending cycle. Billions have come into existence, lived their lives, and then departed, replaced by others. This ceaseless replacement shows the fleeting nature of life.
Life is a precious gift from God. It is His to grant and His to take. We are mere slaves at the mercy of the Great Master. His will prevails, and we must surrender to it. God is the ultimate Decider of all things, and His plans unfold as He wishes. For us, life simply moves on.
Living for a while in this beautiful world and then passing on to an unknown realm has its own unique flavour. In this temporary world, we experience moments of joy and despair. Eventually, we move on to a place of uncertainty—a world where everything will be different and grudges will cease to exist.
In short, life is about living. It is a blend of union and separation. Doing something meaningful for oneself and others is the essence of life. Leaving behind cherished memories is all that we truly possess.
Overall, life moves on. It doesn’t stop for anyone. The earlier we understand this, the better.
By Syed Mustafa Ahmad
sy************@***il.com