The time we have left … ( 04 / 29 / 2012 )
The time we have left … ( 04 / 29 / 2012 )
“ On a long enough time line , the survival rate for everyone drops to zero .” ~ Chuck Palahniuk
“ An awareness of death encourages us to live …” ~ Paulo Coelho
When Alexander the Great was coming to India , he met a man named Diogenes . It was a winter morning when he did so . A cool breeze was blowing , and Diogenes was lying on the riverbank , taking a sunbath . Now Diogenes had nothing , not even a begging-bowl , and yet Alexander had never seen such a graceful man ( for when a person has chosen to live as a Loving Soul , a Beauty arises from within which is nothing short of other-worldly ). In utter awe of Diogenes ’ serenity , Alexander said , “ Sir , I am immensely impressed by your being , and would like to do something for you .” Diogenes looked up calmly and replied , “ Simply stand to the side , if you would , because you are blocking the sun – Nothing else do I need .” Alexander then said , “ If I have another chance to come to the earth I will ask God , instead of making me Alexander again , to make me like you .” Diogenes laughed and he said , “ Who is preventing you from doing so right now ? For months I have seen your armies moving and preparing – Where are you going ? and for what ?” Alexander replied , “ I am going to India to conquer the world .” Diogenes smiled again and asked , “ And then what are you going to do ?” Alexander paused and answered , “ Then , I will rest and extend justice and kindness to all those I meet .” Diogenes laughed heartily at this and said , “ How odd ! I have not conquered the world , and yet I am resting now — already I am just & Kind . Who has told you that before you can be Kind , you must conquer your enemies ? And I will tell you a secret : if you don ’ t choose Kindness now , you never will , for something or other will always remain to be conquered . And time is ever-fleeting . Indeed , if you continue to proceed as you are , you will die in the middle of your journey – because everybody dies in the middle of the journey -- and you will do so without ever having known real Love .”
And Alexander departed from Diogenes – and he did proceed to India – and he did indeed die in the middle , while he was returning from India -- and on that day he remembered Diogenes . (~ inspired by unknown )
There is nothing like a nice bout of intense illness ( or injury , or accident , or failure ) to wake us up to the Truth illustrated by this parable — that even if we are young &/ or healthy &/ or powerful &/ or wealthy , we are all very close to death indeed ; all very close to departing this glorious gift of life that we have been given .
92