Life, the Universe, and ‘Everything is Going to be Alright’ — in the End

The magnificence of our mystical mashup of misguided mishaps, miserable mistakes, and myopic meanderings in our massive macrocosm of measureless microcosms

I am merely an observer — an astronaut in a flesh suit designed to survive the harsh environment here on Earth. But not merely to live through the experience, but to interact with every aspect of it — nature and the elements in a wholly visceral way — but no less intellectual than anything else.

I am a lowly wanderer, a forward-leaning time-traveler incrementally edging ever ahead in time crudely measured in solar cycles. An Earth-bound dreamer quenching a thirst for life; tasting the textures and touching the flavors of reality.

Life is something all around us that, despite centuries of advancements in science, and thousands of years of philosophy, we cannot describe even to our own satisfaction. There’s always some doubt as to who and what we are.

“The Guide says there is an art to flying”, said Ford, “or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

― Douglas Adams

Navigating Ourselves

We enjoy tasting the sweet and prickly surfaces of our puny existence here on this misshapen globular marble in the vast emptiness in this neck of the galaxy.

We savor the complex textures of our visceral reality. The world is brimming with awe inspiring flavor and teeming with variety — one cannot simply sit still without exploring nearby as often as possible. And yet, some seek the peace and tranquility of being still and quiet.

Like a flower, Life here on Earth opens and closes to the cycles of the sun. It layers in brilliant uniqueness yet clinging in a state of togetherness. There is a center, and yet it breathes life energy from a parallel universe via a vast fungi network underworld. The intricate details of life’s immeasurable complexity is reflected microscopically within the dew drop on a flower petal captured in a moments blink of an eye.

We are connected in ways we cannot comprehend fully. Philosophers and Scientists have tried, and failed to encapsulate what Life is, and who we are in the Universe. Although we have progressed in communication and connection, we’re just not evolved enough to fully grasp our own meaning.

So we search onward. We wake each day and wonder. For many of us our goal is to “throw ourselves at the ground and miss”.

“It’s not the fall that kills you; it’s the sudden stop at the end.”

― Douglas Adams

Fail Forward

For me, I’ve failed at being an introvert and fell short of extroversion — but that works for me. Although I continue to wade through the myriad of make-believe barriers we pathetic humans have invented for ourselves; I endure and seek connection with that underlying human nature to, well, be human, and not some loyal servant or desperate slave to an artificial economic construct.

Like many people, I am culturally conditioned to look at the world around me with limitations of economics and social constructs. Weaving the maze of life with these conditions is difficult, but often rewarding.

As wisdom kicks in we learn that falling down isn’t failure; failure is not getting back up. That wisdom comes from the realization after falling down many times that feeling ‘not good enough’, less capable, or a ‘like a failure’ is the actual failure part. It’s always been how we get back up that matters.

I usually fall forward. If you are a quick thinker and catch the fall just right, you can roll right into an upright position with the precision of a Kung Fu master. Sometimes there’s applause. Often you just look around hoping for an audience when it all works out, and hoping nobody sees when it doesn’t.

Sure, the fall might kill you, but it rarely does. Prefer it doesn’t. Don’t expect applause and soon you’ll be falling down like the best of us.

“Everything will be alright in the end, so if it is not alright, it is not yet the end.”

― Deborah Moggach

Perfect Imperfection

We’re all fleshtronauts figuring out how to use this body we’re in for a short time. And just when we start learning how to use it, it starts it’s inevitable decline.

I endeavor to be an example to those I love and to share what few lessons I’ve learned throughout my life with others that might benefit. That doesn’t always work out the way I’d like.

I make mistakes. I am wrong now and then. I sometimes don’t ask for directions when I should. I could treat my body like a temple but I don’t. I sometimes waste time — whatever that means. I’m not perfect, thankfully.

For now, we have this ‘time’ thing wrapped around our, well, just about everything. Time is short, time is relative, time is now, time to go, it’s time you did this or that… time is running out. We just don’t have enough time to learn who and what we are or why we are. But perhaps we’re not supposed to know everything.

In the End

Our concept of time and space is limited to our experiential understanding. Grasping the harsh realities of time only when it appears scarce.

Like being out of breath half way through the race; one silently decides whether to keep running with the risk of collapsing or to give in and give up. Life doesn’t say one way is better than the other despite our cultural conditioning which suggests we strive to win the race.

Life is in the living of it, not the destination. If anything, time is about right now. That moment we’re in here and now.

Life is a series of moments. You live life in the moment of now. You can’t live life in moments that have already passed, and you can’t live in the moments to come. We, therefore, live right in the now.

One thing is certain: the magic ingredient is people. Time is great, but without other people it seems like the more time you have the less you want of it. So wisdom suggests we spend it with people that are happy sharing time with you.

If time teaches us anything it’s there is no end to it. Time just keeps going and going. Therefore, we must not dwell in the notion that somewhere in the future we’re going to be in some ideal circumstance that’s better than we are right now. It seems impossible to ever reach a point where you are in a forever now. Unless that’s where we are now. If that’s true, then everything must be alright. But it isn’t, which is why I don’t think now lasts forever. We certainly don’t last forever, but so far, time seems to go on and on regardless of what happens to us.

So we learn not to dwell in the past or overthink tomorrow. We do our best to embrace right now, and to fail or fall forward into a wicked roll out Kung Fu maneuver and continue walking as if you planned that. Pretend nobody is watching and listen to the applause anyway.

“What I need… is a strong drink and a peer group.”

― Douglas Adams

What do I know?

I don’t know everything. I’m still working out the kinks in my armor on my way to tilt a few windmills. For the most part, I’m just like you. I’m a people-person with a propensity for practicing prevalent pastimes. Oh, and sometimes dad jokes or awkward attempts at humor.

I’m no expert, nor a wise wizard, but perhaps you have had similar thoughts and considerations. Maybe you’ve given thought to who and why you are and felt confused. I hope your take away here is that you’re not alone, and that none of us has all the answers — and that’s perfectly ok. You don’t need to spend the rest of your life searching for answers. Spend it with people. Share it with others. You don’t need to save the world, just do what you think is right. That’ll be enough if we all do that.

Life, the Universe, and Everything. It’s about people, time, and you. Don’t worry. There’s just enough time for you to be the person you want to be and meet the people you’d like to meet. You can start right now.

As for my part in all this. I am part you, part myself, mere mortal, and yet made of stardust. When I look at the stars I reflect upon everything imaginable. By the twinkling light of a billion years ago I see the splendor of this moment in time. I am here and now.

With you.