Life is Short
paulgraham.comThis was a tough read for me. Thinking about mortality for me is unproductive as it actually reduces my ability to do things that matter.
By ignoring the fact that there are only 8 magical experiences of Christmas, I can actually enjoy them more. Otherwise I become overwhelmed with anxiety about not using my time wisely enough.
Same sentiment here.
It can be hard to find motivation when you realize how fleeting everything is.
I always enjoy reading the Graham essay though, and trying to balance my awareness of time and not getting crushed by it.
I personally don't think the sentiment of "8 Christmases", as presented in the essay, is that helpful. The solution to scarcity isn't to rely on a few moments, nor necessarily to "prune bullshit", it's to create more good moments. Maybe there is only 8 Christmases, but there's 416 Sunday dinners and countless other Holidays. Christmas is only that special because that's the holiday that Americans still (somewhat) universally celebrate.
Shortened version using http://smmry.com/, 56% reduction. (Because life is too short)
"Life is Short
Is life actually short, or are we really complaining about its finiteness? Would we be just as likely to feel life was short if we lived 10 times as long?
That gave me a way to answer the question, and the answer is that life actually is short.
It's not just a figure of speech to say that life is too short for something.
If you find yourself thinking that life is too short for something, you should try to eliminate it if you can.
When I ask myself what I've found life is too short for, the word that pops into my head is "Bullshit." I realize that answer is somewhat tautological.
It's almost the definition of bullshit that it's the stuff that life is too short for.
While some amount of bullshit is inevitably forced on you, the bullshit that sneaks into your life by tricking you is no one's fault but your own."
I think the very last paragraph summarizes it a bit better (and more concisely):
"Relentlessly prune bullshit, don't wait to do things that matter, and savor the time you have. That's what you do when life is short."
Vita brevis,
ars longa,
occasio praeceps,
experimentum periculosum,
iudicium difficile.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_longa,_vita_brevis
Also
“I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.” ― Steve Jobs
Good to read this occasionally (and Paul's take is nice)
Along the same lines, I frequently read the Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca's essay titled "On the Shortness of Life" (https://ia802605.us.archive.org/19/items/SenecaOnTheShortnes...) to come to terms with mortality.
It's a great read, as are all the Stoics, in this regard.
I think I've read this four or five times since Paul posted it in January. I'm not especially old, I don't have kids, and I suspect most of my life is ahead of me still, but damn does this one strike a chord with me. It's definitely one of his best.
From January 2016
Life is too short for duplicates, it seems
In two words: Carpe diem.