Seneca once wrote:
It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested. But when it is wasted in heedless luxury and spent on no good activity, we are forced at last by death’s final constraint to realize that it has passed away before we knew it was passing. So it is: we are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it… Life is long if you know how to use it.
This is a profound statement and I would encourage you to read it again. The more I read it, the more I am inspired by it.
These phrases stick out the most to me:
“It is not that we have a short time to live… but that we waste a lot of it…”
“Life is long enough for the highest achievements if it were all well invested…”
“It is wasted in heedless luxury and spent on no good activity…”
“We are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it…”
I should, perhaps, end this article right now—with Seneca’s own words—rather than thinking I can improve upon them.
But maybe, for just a few short sentences, I will comment.
You (the person reading these words right now) were designed to achieve great things! You are unique in your being, your substance, your abilities, and your relationships. And there is no one else on the face of the earth who can live your life and accomplish your good.
Please, do not forget that.
There is no doubt that “success” and “achievement” are relative words and your highest achievement is different from someone else’s highest achievement. You may never lead thousands or cure cancer. But make no mistake:
There is a good that you are designed to bring into this world. And there are people in your life that you can serve and love better than anyone else.
Your highest achievement will be different than mine, but we both have one. And “life is long enough for us to achieve it.”
Unless, as Seneca wrote, “Our lives are wasted in needless luxury and spent on no good activity.”
It is up to us to decide, every day, to focus our energies on those things worthy of the one life we have been given.
Discard the inessential. Remove the distractions. Reject worthless activity.
Your life is too short… to waste accumulating material possessions.
Your life is too short… to be offended all the time.
Your life is too short… to chase accolades.
Your life is too short… to compare it to others.
Your life is too short… to waste watching 6 hours of television/day.
Your life is too short… to pursue riches.
Your life is too short… to not believe in yourself.
Your life is too short… to not forgive.
Your life is too short… to not speak your mind.
Your life is too short… to worry about the future.
Your life is too short… to regret the past.
Your life is too short… to live in fear.
Your life is too short… to be unhappy.
Your life is too short… to waste time on the trivial.
—
Your life is too short… to live like everyone else.
Your life is too short… to not be true to yourself.
And life is too short to wait.
Reannah says
It’s interesting because we used the exact same photo. I used it for a post on Facebook to promote my online business, Rosewood Palace. The truth is that I sell things online. I once had a physical booth inside of a 6,000 square foot store, before this crazy pandemic, in addition to my online store. I commuted 45 minutes to get to the booth. Maintaining it was impossible during the shutdown. It was a huge eye opener to me, which influenced me to move 100% online. I live in a very tiny 1 bedroom apartment with a small space for storage in the basement. Having all of my inventory at home was proving to be hard. I thought about storing my things in a small office (to separate it from home), but office space is very pricey in Madison, WI.
What I do is I resell used items on Etsy. Once I realized how much I wanted to be self-employed, I started working towards making that a reality (in 2014). I don’t make enough $, yet, for it to be worth my time. I was going to spend extra $ on an office space 45 minutes away from where I live, because it was a much more reasonable price, but right now isn’t a good time for me to spend extra $. It’s too risky. The thing is, businesses take a lot of risks. I consider my business low risk because I’m spending less on inventory items to resell. I’m not buying brand new items in bulk. I hand pick items that I find suitable for my online store and there are rarely replicas of the same item. The apartment is currently cluttered until I learn how to have a better system for managing the inventory for my business. I accept this to be where I am at, and so does my fiance. Nothing in life is black and white. I want to promote used items over new because it’s better for the planet. I use rocks and crystals to cleanse the items (and, sometimes sage) because I worked in a spiritual rock shop for 6 months and learned the value in cleansing/clearing spaces in addition to physically cleaning them. I’m a bit frustrated with my current situation, hoping to improve it. You had once said to just get rid of things so that you don’t have to deal with organizing it/them. I want to remind you of context. Look at my example of working from home to save $. This is in hopes to be able to buy a house, btw, where I’ll have the space to stage out my business (inventory, photoshoot area, packaging area, etc.) probably in a finished basement. Getting organized is very important to the success of my business. So, my apartment could be way less cluttered, yes, but I want to run my online resale business. It is my dream, also, to succeed at it. So, I have more to learn before I get to where I want to be. I’m more of an investor in taking the necessary time to figure things out than to pay someone to quickly teach me, too. So, it is what it is. I accept my situation and look to improve it, as I’m able to.
There’s this whole scenario where we have to weigh pros and cons and ask ourselves if we’re willing to make short-term sacrifices for the long-term gain. Millennials don’t make a lot of $, and the last time I checked most of them are still reliant on their parents. There’s a movement, right now, where people are trading on Facebook (in groups) and people are acquiring free items (on the marketplace and in groups). I have obtained free items for my shop and I’ve obtained free plants and have traded plants. It’s absolutely wonderful to see and experience, personally. Sure, I could just throw away or donate everything that I’ve acquired, but I wouldn’t be happy because I see an opportunity to get better at managing my inventory and to become financially independent running this business, someday. I also want to consider where to donat the things I’m not planning on reselling (not just to Goodwill all the time -> circulation). So, then, too, I’m combining the experience I’ve had working other jobs (Costco, Pandora, Cost Plus World Market, Swarovski, Peaceful Heart, etc.) and I’m carrying that experience over to being self-employed. This is what makes me the happiest. ? Thanks.
Kindly,
Reannah
Heidi says
It looks like a great move for you, Reannah, and I am so excited for you and hope you will get to lead your own business as you become self-employed. I got my business in circulation in place and now run it with 2 staffs. Lots of paperwork and got very little help. Sending you my affectionate support and wish you well. Much love.
Martina says
Absolutely inspiring, life changing article. Thank you so much
Teresa says
After a very brief illness, my husband died leaving me a widow at age 52. That wasn’t the plan! After much thought, I concluded that I was supposed to do something that I either would not or could not have done in my old life. It has been my quest for the past 16 years to find that purpose. Your wonderful article came at a time when I have stagnated due to Covid 19. Thank you for your words of wisdom and guidance.
Kari says
This post comes at a good time for many I think. Thank you for sharing that quote with us.
Sherry Read says
Thank you for this thoughtful, encouraging article! In a world gone mad with consumerism, greed, selfishness and waste, you are a breath of fresh air! Thank you for being a voice in the “wilderness” of our crazy world and calling us back to what is truly important!
Helena says
Great quotation! I have definitely been feeling this way lately – that it’s not that I don’t have enough time, just that I’m not using it well. Thanks for the inspiration!
Veronica says
Beautiful words. I really needed to hear these today. Thank you.
tootsie says
Thank you for these inspirations! It resonates with my especially today. Mahalo and Aloha!!
Katie says
I turned 60! I have been reflecting on my past, thinking of my future.
I’ve been asking myself what is the purpose of my life! At times, my thoughts bring me down. I feel I have wasted so much. I feel like I am at a stand still and life is passing by with Covid 19 out there.
Thank you for always writing such beautiful words.
Heather says
One of my favorite posts you have written and I’ve been a follower since the very beginning! My husband and I are in the midst of making a big decision that is weighing heavily on us. Reading this post has helped push me in a direction I feel has been in my heart all along. Thank you.