We make promises to others we wouldn't think of breaking: our spouses, friends, our business partners our coworkers. Yet, we have no problems breaking the promises we make to ourselves. "I won't waste time on useless sites", "I'll stop procrastinating", "I'll do better", "I won't lose my temper", "I won't drink anymore", the list goes on and on. We let ourselves break those promises, even the same ones over and over. How much longer will we let this go on? We wouldn't tolerate this behavior from others, yet we do it to ourselves. "Self-esteem is just the reputation that you have with yourself. You'll always know." - Naval Ravikant. No one else may not know but you always will. How many more promises are you going to keep breaking to yourself? Is this how you would treat your family and friends? Maybe this is the reason why you have doubts. You've encountered your own example of the many t...
Seneca wrote a beautiful piece on the shortness of life. We all have our routines, our ways, responsibilities and tasks we must attend to. We have to get them done, we have to meet our obligations. We may even have good habits that took work to establish.
When we do them without being thoughtful, we get into the routine and automated process of doing. We don't take the deliberate and purposeful way. What we need to make sure is that we never forget how short this life is.
When doing our tasks, routines and habits, remember that we may be doing them today for the last time. The people we encounter, from strangers to family, may be the last time we encounter them. This puts deep meaning in our lives. This puts all of our actions into perspective. Yes, we have to keep doing them. Yes we have to keep meeting our obligations and expectations. But the attitude we bring to them is completely different when we think that this may be it. This may be the last time.
How much more meaningful, how much purposeful would our actions be with this thought pervading our actions?
How would you respond to a person if they are harsh to you and knew it was your last interaction with them? Would you be harsh back to them? Or would you ignore what they did?
If you would be harsh to them, think about what that says about you and where you are coming from knowing this is the last time? Is this the best of who you are? When will that happen if not now?
Think about the last time you get to do your favorite things? Take a walk, eat lunch, talk to a friend, embrace your loved one.
There is only one last time. Make sure you understand that last time could be today.