Five Minutes To Forever
November 29th, 2007
It is ironic that from the earliest days of our cognizant lives, we are programmed to fear its end. Especially, the last five minutes.
This entire notion, this ripe fear and in many cases dread, is preposterous. We have no idea where we came from, and why we arrived in the world, but we are certain that in death we are leaving it. That it represents an end. Finality.
How is it that we admit to looking backwards to our arrival on earth with no knowledge but look forward to our departure with great certainty? A certainty that has no basis. No founding. It is mindful of our predecessors who were convinced that if they sailed into the horizon, they would fall off the face of the earth.
Little did they know that the truth was the polar opposite: that they could sail into the horizon for eternity.
The fact is we are preoccupied with living a long life when life as we know it is never long. If we live 100 years, it is but a blip. And to complicate matters, but to introduce an essential reality. Whose life was longer, Mozart’s or Jane Smith, who died at 98 after a 60-year career as an insurance actuary. And who hated her work from the moment she left college and took a seat in her cubicle at Homestead Life Insurance Co.?
We have a monumental choice before us all: to be in the life fulfillment business-meaning we live every day without concern for when it ends, if it does, or to be in the life protection business-meaning we spend nearly every day seeking to postpone or circumvent the inevitable.
All too many people do the latter. And in the process, they waste so much of the joy of being alive on this earth. They seek safety. They run from risk. They make sure not to work too hard. They are sticklers about having balance in their lives, whatever that means. They look askance at those who burn the candles at both ends, walk the high wire without a safety
net. Start companies with their life savings. Quit “good” jobs for careers that bring them joy. Abdicate the throne to marry a lover.
The only way to truly live, to achieve success as a manager, artist, factory worker, actor, CEO, mother, father, friend-is to do it with abandon. Without fear of when it will end. The more you try to control the ending, the less control you have over it. It won’t ask for your permission. It won’t ask for your timetable. It will just end. Nothing you can do will stop it.
And that’s the good news. You can let go. It’s out of your hands. And even better, the last five minutes here may be the countdown to forever.
Mark Stevens
CEO
How do you live your life before your five minutes are up?
November 29th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Great article! Very interesting stuff and, truly, food for thought. How would I wrap it up, as they say, in only five minutes left? I would certainly reaffirm the deepest love that I have for my children and grandchildren, and then I would say the things that were left unsaid to those individuals who have touched my life. Sure, lots of people have touched my life but, there may just be a few that really stood out and I would want to convey my feeings to them while I still had the chance.
November 29th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Mark,
Another thought-provoking and rationale post. But when it comes to the aging process or death, I’m not sure rationality or logic come much into play. As for me, my 6th decade is the best yet. Sure, my hair is completely gray, I am challenged by weight gain, and my cholesteral is up. But not one minute of one single day is spent worrying either about aging or death. It seems such a terrible waste of time to do either. And besides, I’m having too much fun.
Sorry I need to back out of the teleconference this afternoon. I do look forward to talking with you and your team. In fact, looking forward is a primary facet of my life philosophy.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Lewis,
There are two kinds of people. Those in the life protection business. They lose. And those in the life enjoyment business. You always win.
Mark Stevens
CEO
November 30th, 2007 at 10:55 am
I used to be such a drama queen. I’d get lonely at the little things and drown myself in misery. But then I realized (okay, someone made me realize) that life is too short for me to be sulking around. This life is meant to be lived out fully. We shouldn’t kill ourselves before we’re even dead.
November 30th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Jen_Chan,
Your last line hits the bulls eye. Beautiful.
Mark Stevens
CEO
December 6th, 2007 at 11:40 am
I am new to the blog thing. How does this work? I have tried posting and could not make it work. Is this blog just a dialog with Mark? or is it with each other?
Thanks
December 6th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Taya,
Welcome to the world of Blogging. The comment you posted has worked just fine. The dialog is open to anyone. Mark takes part when he can, especially when the comments entice him. But as with all of us, his schedule prevents his responding to every comment.
There are often times when readers comment and dialog amongst each other, without Mark or anyone at MSCO being involved, which is what we think is the best way for this work. We do moderate the comments to prevent any mischief, but the vast majority of comments go up as they are received.
We are looking forward to your participation in the future.
Thanks,
Chris, Chief Nerd and Blog guy @ MSCO.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Obagi Blue Peel…
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you….