“Life is too short” – A phrase that frequents conversations as coffee percolates. It’s the mantra we repeat as we blow money on McDonald’s fries instead of packing a lunch or neglect homework once again to pursue a night of escapades with our friends. (even if that means idling in a Tim Hortons parking lot)

It can seem like it bares weight in the argument for being present for each day we have…after all, we, as the human race are just an arbitrary blip in midst of the sprawling universe’s continuation. Why not cherish every second that we have; be intentional with our gratitude for the seemingly average lives we lead because the reality is while we’re indeed a blip, we’re also all winners of the celestial lottery! What miraculous odds is is that you are here, in this exact moment on this hospitable planet, living in a well developed country with a computer in your pocket. I am by no means against embracing these ideals, but for a moment I urge you to consider the opposite for a moment.

Life is too long.

A statement that may seem innately negative to those reading. We are animals after all, it’s against our very nature as mortal beings to reject the value of surviving in spite of it all, but when practically applied, it emerges as a pragmatic mindset for which to live. It’s daunting to face the uncertainty of tomorrow knowing we are limited. Our bodies decompose, our attention dissipates, our bank accounts empty…

As young people, we begin to slowly come to understand the great vastness of the world, all of the boundless opportunity it presents…before being abruptly deterred from facing this head on as the ambitious (and often naive) individuals we are due to our obligation to attend school. For some, this seems like a complete waste of time, why do we have our heads buried in books when there’s so much out there waiting for us? We procrastinate away our academic potentials as some half-baked attempt to protest, we roll our eyes at teachers, and saunter our way through empty halls on the way to a class that we’ve already been marked absent for as if this will change anything. Well, I’ll ease your minds, the system is broken, we know it, the teachers know it and your parents likely know it. The anger that you’re feeling is valid, there is an injustice in the way we are being educated and I don’t want you to dismiss this anger, instead I want you to feed it. Life is too long to be reckless in our anger, or in our dissatisfaction, so take that fire in your chest and re purpose it in any way you see fit. It won’t feel easy, trust me- taking agency in our lives never is, but energy is energy, we ultimately choose how we expel it. Don’t skip class or lash out to teachers, instead take this restlessness and use it to propel yourself through school. I’m not saying you have to be honor roll, I’m saying get that diploma and rush out those doors. Life is so long- and you think this is what you want to get hung up on? There will always be things we might not want to do in the moment, but don’t let recklessness take hold,don’t let it get you derailed from all those dreams of yours, instead realize how this will benefit the older you. We love to fantasize about our futures…our ideal lives…

In putting off these necessary tasks, whether it be that math assignment or that heap of laundry, we are putting off that apartment we want with those friends or that career we want to pursue with that degree…

It’s the same thing with mental health. If you’re struggling with an illness such as depression or anxiety…life is too long to suffer- You are not a lost cause, no matter what the insidious voice inside your head beckons. For every day that you feel you have wasted, shield away from the world, there will be another day to start again, all you have to do is seek the necessary support.

All these negative feelings previously mentioned that surface during high school can often lead to hopelessness but if we surrender now, we’d be confined to hundreds of days of frowning, or for decades to scream at the heavens…

Doesn’t that sound just exhausting?

I know it all seems quite confusing, chaotic and maybe even a little bit contradicting (this whole life thing I mean) so when you feel particularly troubled revert back to this mantra as a reminder of what it takes to seek out an authentic life.

Life is too long to ____________

Examples:

* Life is too long to be constantly shifting gears.

* Life is too long to not commit to learning a craft.

* Life is too long to be seeking out shortcuts.

* Life is too long to not take a break and enjoy life a little.

* Life is too long to not be patient.

* Life is too long to be overly sucked into your work.

* Life is too long to not adventure every once in a while.

* Life is too long to be constantly busy.

* Life is too long to maintain a state of sadness or negativity.

* Life is too long to think it’s some kind of game you can win.

(credit to http://mattymatt.co/life-is-too-short-or-too-long/)

P.S Thank to you all who stayed for my existential ramblings!