Realities In The Past

I recently read Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl and towards the end of the book he writes about the transitoriness of life and having it be a reminder to use our time as best we can and about how getting older is an opportunity to create meaning in our lives.

To paraphrase Viktor, ”People tend to see only the subtle transitoriness, but overlook and forget the past into which they have brought meaning to their lives: the deeds done, the loves loved, and the sufferings they have gone through with courage and dignity. There is no reason to pity the old. Instead, we young people should envy them. Its true that they may have less possibilities in the future, but they have more than that. They have realities in the past– the meanings they have fulfilled, the values they have realised, the lessons they have learnt– and nothing can take these from them.”

His writing has kind of lingered in my mind. Maybe, its because I’m turning 30 next month and have been reflecting on meaning and purpose I have in my life. I understand that sometimes it can be difficult to find a purpose and its something I struggle with too. I believe we can all make changes to better our lives or to at least be directionally right without necessarily having found our ”why”.

Asking things like, how can I improve? what are my longterm goals? how can I be healthier? Am I being kind enough to myself and the people I love? All of these questions help direct my thinking and motivate me to take action.

Continual improvement is something I’m really passionate about and it forms the foundations of my why. Compounding has played a important role in my life and is why I will continue to focus on making changes that will move me in the direction I want to go. As Warren Buffet said ”the chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.”

As I age, I look forward to the unknown, the future and the challenges that lie ahead. To grow old is a privilege and I’m grateful to share this life with the ones I hold close.

J.H.Repetto