Becoming Minimalist

Own less. Live more. Finding minimalism in a world of consumerism.

In the Blink of an Eye

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blink-of-an-eye

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight with no vision.” —Helen Keller

Nothing stays the same forever. Everything changes—sometimes slowly, sometimes suddenly.

This past summer, I spent some time away from home. We visited family in Nebraska and South Dakota and enjoyed a few nights in Colorado. Our trip was lovely. I’m thankful to have such a family where even ten days together seems too short.

There were many enjoyable and memorable moments during our trip, but there is one 24-hour period that sticks out to me. In the span of one short day during our visit to South Dakota, three distinct events occurred.

First, I helped my 92-year old grandfather maneuver into his home in his wheelchair. Last December, while at work, he fell and broke his femur. His healing continues but with various setbacks. Doctors are confident he will walk again, but it will be another 5-6 months. In the meantime, he still works full-time—but with considerable inconvenience. This was the first time I had seen firsthand the full extent of his injuries.

Second, I drove past the home of Don Meyer. Don Meyer, a close family friend, was once the all-time winningest college basketball coach. One month ago today, at the age of 69, Don lost his battle with cancer. His cancer was first discovered in 2008 following a car accident that resulted in the amputation of his left leg. He is survived by his wife, Carmen, who now lives in their home alone.

Third, while driving to my brother’s house later that evening, I came upon an awful car accident with crushed automobiles, injured bodies, and deep pain. The scene was hard for anyone to witness. The physical and emotional pain will continue for the drivers—and extend almost certainly to their families as well.

24 hours. Three unique stories. Each with little in common except for one life-transforming thread: Sometimes events happen in the blink of an eye that change the course of our lives forever.

When we least expect it, tragedy can strike. And it often does, in an instant. With little to no warning, our lives are turned upside-down forever.

I was reminded this past summer that nobody is guaranteed their health for another day—it can be taken suddenly by accident or diagnosis. Nobody is guaranteed the presence of their spouse for another day. None of us are even guaranteed breath in the morning.

The foolish scoff at this pronouncement assuming tragedy will never strike. Those in denial will refuse to accept it or simply try to change the subject.

But those who recognize and accept the truth that life is fragile live their lives fully in light of it. (tweet that)

Those who understand life can be changed forever in the blink of an eye will seek to:

  • Find joy and gratitude in their present blessings. They will recognize every good thing in life is a fragile gift.
  • Remove fleeting pursuits. Our lives are too valuable to waste chasing and maintaining unneeded possessions.
  • Overcome the past and not make assumptions about the future. Instead, they will live each day in the present.
  • Make the most of every opportunity. Forgive who needs to be forgiven. Express love and gratitude to those who deserve to hear it.
  • Live lives of significance. Each new day is an opportunity to make a difference. Don’t waste it.

Our lives are fragile. They can change in an instant. Live today in light of this truth—and carry no regrets.

Joshua Becker

About Joshua Becker

Writer. Inspiring others to live more by owning less.
WSJ Bestselling author of The More of Less.

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Comments

  1. It is very eye opening to see how life can change in an instant through a person’s death or a natural disaster etc. I think it is easy to ignore the fact that we are all going to die soon. If we start every day with the thought that this could be my last, then it really makes you appreciate each moment more.

    I like to regularly and consciously reach out to various people in my life and tell them why I love them and that I am grateful for that.

  3. Hi Joshua—

    I was orphaned by 13, so I’ve been aware of that fact from the start. My sister always told me that none of us are promised tomorrow. I like to call it ” A New York Minute.” In a New York minute, everything can change.

    Thanks for being here. :)

  4. In one split second, everything we prize can be taken away.

    I guess we have to figure out what we value most. And be sure that we’re valuing it, cherishing it, nurturing it.

    And figure out if it’s worth dying for …

  5. This hit home so hard. I had been trying to live more fully in the moment for a long time, but it took me being laid up for 6 months last year post surgery and the death of a dear friend, one of many gone too soon from my circle of friends to make the pivotal changes in my life:

    ~ purging useless, draining clutter from my life to allow me to fully and freely LIVE, as we never know when things may change.
    ~downsizing home to allow more freedom to serve others, travel, work less, live simply, etc.

    This blog cemented it for me last year, and Joshua keeps on encouraging me, and there is no going back. God bless!

  6. It is true that life and all in it that encompasses is…. our jobs…our family…friends…the only certainty is The Lord Jesus Christ who is my refuge, my Rock, my delivery. Right now I need His help, His intervention, and I´ll appreciate your prayers.

    I´m sorry about your grandpa…what a gift God gave him…90 and working full time___ wow!

    I need to learn from him!

    God is using his grandson amazingly! What an abundant life. Find myself pondering the plans of God…some people for generations ´got it´what life is for…

    My favorite part of yoru evens and vacation is the gift to be 10 days and it was still too short the time shared with your famiy.

  7. My father suffered a massive heart attack 2 1/2 weeks ago. In the blink of an eye, he was gone… No more breath to be had.

    Hug your loved ones. Live for today.

    Thanks for this post.

  8. You are so right… Things change so quickly. We imagine that things will stay the same forever. But rudely we are awakened when something happens to change our lives and the lives of the people around us. This reminder to be conscious forever so we do not fall asleep on the wheels of our lives, and are aware so that we are more prepared for anything that befalls us, is crucial. Thank you for the post.

  9. If this had one of those little Facebook icons I would share it on Facebook. Great post. Great reminder. Thanks.

    • If you follow Joshua on Facebook, you can share. I do and many now follow him daily! His posts are so positive and easy to understand and relate to.

  10. If you open your eyes wide you will see enough to make sense of the world. Thank you for the wonderful reminder to live every day with enjoyment.

  11. What a lovely post, Joshua. Nothing in it was seemingly “new” or something I haven’t heard or read or thought about myself, and yet I found myself feeling very moved and inspired. Thank you.

  12. This moved me to share this article and my experience on my Facebook page. It explains to me why I live my life the way I do. My Father died in a car accident in 1964. I was six months old, my Mom was two months pregnant and she had 6 other kids. It taught me to NEVER take anything for granted.

    I “plan” trips only a few weeks in advance, even going overseas. I know people think I’m adventurous, but that’s not it….I just want to see and experience it all just in case it ends abruptly. I speak my mind (maybe to the annoyance of others), so there is never a doubt of what I feel or my intentions. Honestly it has cost me relationships because I think most people are uncomfortable in living this way. I realize that is their issue and not mine. So, off I go to explore Puerto Rico this weekend, need to book my flight! :)

    Great article and thanks!

  13. Thank you for such an insightful post! Great reminders for us all. I have had several such experiences in my life and over the years I have had to work on finding the balance between living in the present moment since the future is not guaranteed, and not living a life of fear based on what may happen in the future.

    I hope you enjoyed Colorado! Colorado is the place I call home :)

  14. Hoo boy! The only thing that helps us through all the deaths, loss of jobs, loss of home, loss of pets, loss of health is some inner core that can take the crashing waves or bend like a lithe willow. If we work on that instead of all the extraneous crap that enters our lives, maybe we can withstand the blows. Maybe that’s why we buy so much useless junk. Pile it all around us and it will be our shield against change and death. There must be some purpose to commercialism. So it makes sense that minimalism scares the beejesus out of us because we’ll be stripped to nothing.

  15. This is the first lesson I remember learning as a child. My first meeting with death was that of my friend. We were 5 years old and she was hit by a freight truck. It only occurred to me much later that one can die of illness or old age. It impressed on me that in life, there are no dress rehearsals. Life begins at birth, and old age could be right now for all we know.

  16. What a heart breaking post… but still so important of a message. The Buddha taught that “all things are impermanent”… most days, that makes me hopeful. No matter how hard I find the moment I am in, it too shall pass. But sometimes, I find myself in fear of it. My human heart wants to hold on to things. It is a definite double edge sword.

    Live the life you want to live today, tomorrow hasn’t happened yet and yesterday is gone.

    Thank you for sharing your heart.

  17. Wonderful post, this is so very true! It’s so important to slow down enough to realize what a gift each day is.

  18. A week ago, I lost a dear friend to cancer. He was 28 with a wife and two young daughters. The virulent cancer was discovered last summer and he fought it as long as he could. He was so healthy and loved fitness. I’m not sure I will ever be the same after this loss and it has cemented for me everything you have just said. None of us are guaranteed a long life or happy ending. We can strive to give each day of life we’re blessed with our very best. Thank you.

  19. Sounds like a very emotional week. The lesson shared is a good one. We have to make good use of the time we have available. I spent too many years trying to keep up with everyone else. In the last few years I have started to follow my own path with a big focus on family and living our own adventures rather than doing what everyone else thinks we should do.

  20. Thank you for a wonderful post Joshua. It is a great reminder that we must take action to become at peace with the past. Without this peace, it may be impossible to live in the present moment.

  21. Great post! I met people whose lives changed so fast. Like in an instant. One who spent years in school just to get a good paying job then got hurt at work and now she stays home. Time goes so fast and before we know it,everything changed.

  22. I really enjoyed reading this post in particular. Living in the present has become a big part of my life, as I used to live for the ‘future’ and planning for what may or may not happen. Life is so temporary and can change at any time like you said, enjoy each moment.

  24. on father’s day, we took our family of 4 small children to a graduation party. cake, bbq, iced tea, kids blowing bubbles & running with the wind. as i studied, absentmindedly, the obligatory bulletin board of pictures, it occurred to me that this young man, the youngest of five boys, was little once, like my kids.

    his mama had been me, 25 years ago.

    whether time changes in the blink of an eye, or it slowly morphs into the rest of forever, it DOES change. i don’t want to miss, for one more moment, what i have here & now with my four little kids, the youngest crawling across my chest as i reply to this post.

    becoming a minimalist myself has been absolutely key to not missing any more of these sweet bits.

  25. You have family in South DUHkota? I live here and HATE it! BUT, if you would like to buy a beautiful home in the Black Hills, I have one you can buy cheaply. We moved here from beautiful Colorado (Boulder). This place has been nothing but hell for us since we moved here. I have developed cancer and undergone radiation for the last two years. I just started on chemo this past week. I want OUT of this hell hole so I can get back to civilization. We have tried to sell our home for 7 years but the housing economy is so depressed here that no one is buying. I am so frustrated and tired of being STUCK with EIGHT MONTHS of winter hell, that I am considering just letting the house go. Every winter I cry at the thought of another 8 months of sheer hell, stuck in a house because the weather and damn hill we live on is so hard to get out of and down and not being able to do a thing about it. So, please…you want to be able to visit your family in South DUHkota more often, buy our house!!!

    • Most people would love to live in the Hills. Banana belt of SD. Low taxes. Are you aware vitamin D helps the wire time blues?

  26. It is hard to live in the present. We are conditioned to live in the past (when everything was so much worse/so much better depending on your family circumstances) by our families and the future by big business for whom it is vital that we strive for more and look to the day when “it will all be perfect”. The truth is that it never has and never will be perfect it will be what we make it and if we are so busy looking for perfection we will lack the time to make the most of what we have right now.

  27. Excellent post! It wasn’t until my early twenties when two of my friends died (one in a car accident, the other from an acute cancer) that I realized how fragile life is. It was after these losses that I discovered minimalism, which has significantly changed my life for the better. Focusing on what is important and appreciating what I have (rather than focusing on material items and what I don’t have) has helped me enjoy good times, get through difficult times, help others, and not take my loved ones for granted.
    Thank you for all of your truly inspiring posts!

  28. Life is hard and short and tragic, but there is the firm hope of eternal life through Jesus.

    Does it really matter if you fully enjoyed each moment and lived your life with purpose when it will pass and not be remembered by anyone? Personally, I feel it does not not.

    The only true hope is found in Jesus. In Him our lives can hold eternal significance.

    • But remember, Jesus had a truly purpose in this planet! And he didn’t give up! He was a servant leader!

      We are all here to serve humanity

      Be a servant and you will fulfil your real dreams!

  29. An important lesson and Don Meyer was such a good guy – still remember many of his chapel talks from DLU.

  30. My best friend found out she had cancer in January and by May she was gone. Only 53, full of life. I was there when she passed away, and I think about her often. She lived life to the fullest, had rid herself of most of her possessions, and was traveling around the US in her motor home when she got diagnosed. She taught me so much in her living and in her dying. Life is a precious gift, never take it for granted.

  31. My mother who sadly died at 42 with breast cancer that was treatable but she opted to avoid any western medicine because she was Christian Science raised. Opened my eyes at that ripe age of 11 to be aware, to look and feel and touch. Years later after being involved in three shooting incidents as a police officer, I firmly believe I have things yet to accomplish, I look, and feel and touch, and who knows what moment will present it self that will bring it all into focus, for the pure nature of delving into what ifs will surely bring one down. So for the time being I wake up breathing and call that a good start on a day, and look forward to what minor miracles await me.

  32. This post is about my life with my beautiful husband of almost 30 years. On top of the world in every aspect of our lives. Got a tummy ache one day and 6 months later he was gone. Yes, life is fragile and one never knows. I live to honor him. I live to honor our son…and I choose life because he wouldn’t want it any other way. We didn’t both work and strive for what we accomplished for me to shrivel up and die with him. Not to say the last 23 months haven’t been extremely hard, but I choose life. Here’s to you my dear sweet man.

  33. For the reasons you convey in your post I try to live my life with MS as a gift which forces me to accept change and enjoy the life I ‘m blessed to have. Love is the only thing that lasts. Thank you.

  34. I, too, experienced a “blink of an eye” trio of events this past year. First, the loss of our first pregnancy. Exactly a week later, my father-in-law had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. Two months later, my parents were in a terrible highway accident, leaving one person dead. Thankfully, our parents are ok after all of this. However, I have found it very difficult to stop analyzing everything that happened.
    I appreciate your article and I agree that life should be enjoyed in the moment and that pettiness should be put aside for true happiness. One problem I have, though, is that there is so much pressure to “live life to the fullest” and “pure your true passions” that I feel overwhelmed and constantly question if I’m doing what I should be. This causes me anxiety and guilt. Do you have any suggestions on how to find the middle ground and navigate between living my best life and worrying about whether I am, in fact, doing so?

  35. Hi, my uncle passed away last night after a long struggle. I believe he had found peace. My life motto is that life goes by with the blink of an eye. And the quote has become even more important to me now I have kids.

    I just want to say that it is such a pleasant change to read supportive comments from an online community such as this one, you are all so positive and inspirational. Thank you, I want to stay in this space :)

  36. I’ve always loved your post Joshua ang my life has changed a lot since I encountered becoming minimalist. I am currently pursuing for a post graduate degree and when I read this post I suddenly realized I am missing so much joy in life with this career pursuit. I miss the simple joys of simply living.

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