Brevity: How to Live Well in a New Year
Thinking about things I want to accomplish in a new year comforts me. There’s no way I can do a year’s work in a day. I can relax.
A big goal makes me feel powerful when it’s 364 days away. A goal for today slaps me to attention. A year-long goal is a compass. Awareness of brevity sets the rudder.
The beginning is the best time to think about endings.
Steven R. Covey said, “Begin with the end in mind.” 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Brevity:
“It is sensible of me to be aware that I will die one of these days.” Donald Hall, Essays After 80.
“Think on death.” Epicurus.
“You are a mist that appears and then vanishes.” Apostle James.
Brevity is reason some live for pleasure.
“Death pulls by the ear, and cries, ‘Live while you may;
I approach, and perhaps shall be with you to-day.'” (A drinking song attributed to Virgil.)
Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.
Awareness of brevity sets people free.
“He who has learned to die has unlearned slavery…” Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, #27.
Seneca says brevity sets us free. The first side of freedom is “freedom from”. The powerful side of freedom is “freedom to”.
Life focused on “freedom from” ends empty.
Freedom from – freedom to:
- Freedom from attachment. Freedom to live with an open hand.
- Freedom from fear. Freedom to step forward boldly.
- Freedom from unattainable goals. Freedom to act now.
Awareness of brevity:
- Creates clarity.
- Eliminates triviality.
- Adds urgency.
- Deepens connection.
- Promotes presence.
Begin with the end in mind. What endings will fill you with satisfaction in 2024?
Most importantly, what will you do today to build the life you aspire to enjoy?
More brief thoughts on living well in a new year:
If Every Day was New Year’s Day
Great stuff. The book of Ecclesiastes is all about living life “in the house of mourning.” Not living without enjoyment, but keeping in mind life’s brevity. The book, “Living Life Backward, How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us To Live In Light of The End” by David Gibson has had a big impact on the way my wife and I look at priorities and what really matters.
Thanks for adding your thoughts today, Greg. And thanks for sharing a resource that’s helpful to you. I’m intrigued by the apparently negative message of that particular addition to ancient wisdom literature. Here’s a link for readers who might like to explore it. https://amzn.to/3H3yUTG
Dan,
I would change one word.
A big goal makes me feel relaxed when it’s 364 days away. A goal for today slaps me to attention.
Happy new year!!
Thanks, Paul. I tossed around a few words for that sentence. One was important, which I liked. But the least complimentary I could think of was powerful. You word works very well in the context. Thanks for the suggestion.