What Matters Must Be Maintained

Philosopher Seneca advises us to remain cognizant of the fleeting nature of time and its swift passage. A long-anticipated experience quickly becomes a memory. The tiny humans who relied on you for their every need become self sufficient sooner than our comfort would have it. What was at one point simply life is then remembered as the greatest time of our lives and longed for again accordingly.

Life and circumstances evolve, with change being introduced at a cadence often perceived as too quick for comfort (albeit gradual in reality). It's for this reason that we shouldn't ignore the following: what matters must be maintained.

Contentment that transcends circumstance is that which is rooted in a commitment to maintaining what matters (whatever that may be, and however it may look through the seasons). This can be as specific or as general as is sufficient for our natures. Previous friendships aren't what they once were, but connection remains important to you and so you pursue opportunities for new ones of quality to be introduced. You no longer feel as if you're contributing at your highest capability at work, and so you explore new avenues of doing so. You moved to an area without easy access to a fitness center, so you create a dedicated space for exercise at home.

Do not underestimate the ability to maintain what matters through reimagined expression. Contrary to common scarcity-based perceptions of time, Seneca tells us that there is enough time for the accomplishment of the very greatest things for the person who knows how to spend it wisely. Commitment to maintaining what matters, in any new manner impelled by circumstance or season, allows for our own unique greatest.

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