Sigmund Freud had an essay recounting the conversation between him and Rainer Rilke. As they admire the ephemeral beauty of nature, the poet's heart is heavy with the fact that everything beautiful has to go-it is like flowers in summer that would be beaten by cold winds in winter. How sad that sounds, because it reflects a general truth concerning human existence; each creation, each moment of beauty bears the seed of its own termination.
But Freud tempers this melancholy with the following thought: "Transcience value is scarcity value in time. Limitation in the possibility of an enjoyment raises the value of the enjoyment." He invites us to regard life's transitory moments-not as crosses to bear but as treasures to cherish. In this light, we can look upon each passing moment as an opportunity to savor beauty around us. "A flower which blossoms only for a single night does not seem to us on that account less fair.
Yet, we should not forget the unconscious resistance to the idea of an ending. Deep within ourselves, we are in rebellion against mortality-an inborn will within us, wanting to create something meaningful and leave a legacy to survive this mediocre life. And it is that resistance that comes to a head in our need to create, connect with others, and leave our dent in this world. We want not only to survive but also to live an authentic life.
As Jung so eloquently said, "The soul seems to be an entity independent of space and time," echoing man's timeless struggle against the partiality of death. We fight the reality, crying out, "Just keep living!" It is this struggle in the face of hopelessness that throws us back into the disorderly beauty of life and further compels us to pursue or seek out adventures that establish our humanity.
In this dance with mortality, let us embrace life’s transient beauty and seek the deeper meaning woven into our experiences. Each moment, no matter how fleeting, offers an opportunity to live authentically and fully. So, as we traverse the landscape of our existence, let us not shy away from the inevitable. Instead, let us declare boldly: "I choose to live!"
Let us strive for a purpose that transcends our own transience, all while savoring the beauty of the flowers along our path. In the end, we are all stories waiting to be told, so let’s remain present and fully immerse ourselves in the moments life offers, moments we often overlook.
Today is a good day. Maybe doubts whisper otherwise, but today is a beautiful day to be alive all the same.