The Gift Of Mortality

I wouldn't call it a crisis per se, but all the questions and wonderment about one's own existence over the years, have been tangling and untangling in my head of late. 

We brush aside these questions in our youth. Only when our metabolism paces down, grey hairs can no longer be fully concealed and random body parts start aching with the weather, a walk or even just sleeping awkwardly, do we start to invite the horrifying thoughts of our decline.

Although, I have been wrong before. It could be that most of us are so consumed in our day to day that we don't notice time creeping up on us. It requires a certain centerdness and calm to contemplate these questions. After all, how could "What does life look like for me in the next 5 years?" take priority over "I need to pay rent".

There is a constant trade-off between money, energy and time, where only two can pair at a given point. However, existential questions are here to serve caution and it would do us well to pay attention.

Of late I have been bombarding people with my findings so far-

• Your 20's are for getting you a** kicked
• Your 30's are for finding out why you are getting your a** kicked
• Your 40's are about the implementing the knowledge of what to do, to avoid getting your a** kicked

For someone in the mid-life (no crisis though), I am just working towards putting something in the bank for later. That includes money, health, passion.

Money

• There is no limit to how early you can start saving. Best would be your allowance/ first salary. Try to achieve saving a minimum of 10% of your monthly allowance/ salary.
• Look into retirement plans/ long term insurance even if you are 21.
• Get comfortable with taxes and ways in which you can save.
• With time, also look into mutual funds/ stocks/ bonds/ real-estate/ crypto (if you are brave).
• Do not put all your money in one account/ investment. Diversify portfolio.
• Either avoid credit cards altogether or pay the dues as soon as possible. If you have a habit of splurging, I suggest using cash-only transactions to becoming conscious of your spendings.
• Donate to charities/ help out when you can/ sponsor a child/animal/tree. In general, do something good with your money. This amount must be outside the savings/ investment amount.

Health

• Stay hydrated
• Take care of your skin for it is the first thing to show signs of distress/ injury/ ageing. Moisturize/ apply suncreen/ face packs/ tea bags on your eyes.
• Always carry a lip balm/ petroleum jelly and be generous with it.
• The finest detail of an educated person is in the nails. Trim it and shape it regularly.
• Watch what you put in your mouth. This is true for younger people too as it can add up and manifest when you are in your late 30's. Fact: metabolism goes down every 5 years. The diet that kept you thin in your 20's will not work when you are 43.
• For the love of God stay up to date on your vaccines.
• Please visit a dentist regularly and not wait until the tooth starts to hurt with decay.
• Get your vision checked every year. This is free at most eyewear centers.
• Set a time limit and unplug electronic media.
• Get routine checks done for your gender/ existing conditions
• Take frequent vacations/ walks in nature.
• I cannot stress this enough- INVEST IN A HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS.
• Exercise. Just move a little more than yesterday.

Passion

• I don't know who you are, but read books not conspiracy theories on the internet.
• Learn something new every few months.
• Indulge in a hobby and make time for it regularly.
• Do not get sucked in with negative people. If you yourselves are feeling negative, seek therapy.
• Believe in something- a God/ universe/  rock/ general goodness of humanity.
• Re/Discover your bond with animals.
• Exchange ideas/ questions/ hypothesis and savour the conversation.
• Refrain from idle gossip/ bad mouthing/ imparting ill will.
• If you have not walked in their shoes, you don't deserve to complain and belittle their suffering.
• What might hurt you, might kill someone else. Do not compare pain. Everyone has a different threshold.
• Ask for help when you need it.

None of the above points are new discovery. A plethora of citings can be found if you are willing to look. Albeit, it takes care of only the first half- how to live your mortal life.

Is there life after death?

Maybe not.

Does the story continue after death?

Absolutely.

I've come to conclude that fearing death is about as useful as honking at an approaching tornado. In my dream journal I've recounted ways I saw my death and that in most cases, it felt almost peaceful; like the rat race was finally over, I was done pleasing people, I didn't have any expectations of me and overall it felt like a giant vacation where I could go anywhere without bothering to pack or apply sunscreen. It is in those dreams that I realized- it is not necessarily bad that we get to stop wearing our human costume. In fact it can feel quite liberating. 

Woeful are those who are immortal for they will be forever restricted by the limitations of their bodies. 

~ ~ ~