Time passes in ways we often fail to notice. A day ends, another begins, and soon weeks turn into months, months into years, and before we realize it, whole seasons have slipped away. We know this truth, yet we often live as though time belongs to us. We behave as if tomorrow is guaranteed, though in reality it is only a possibility. Life is fragile. Some of us may not even live to see the year’s end. Such is the impermanence of our existence.
The future is hidden, and no amount of wealth, strength, or planning can secure it. Impermanence is the great equalizer of life. It humbles us, reminding us that we are not the masters of time but its travelers.
Philosophers, saints, and poets across ages have reflected on this mystery. Why are we here? What makes life meaningful? No single answer has satisfied everyone, but one truth keeps returning: life is a blessing, and it is brief. We live it only once, and once it is gone, it does not return.
Still, we often live as if permanence were ours to command. We chase possessions, guard our egos, and cling to grudges. We postpone kindness as though there will always be another chance. In doing so, we forget that life is not measured by its length but by its depth.
What, then, should we do with this fleeting gift? Perhaps the answer lies in simplicity. To live honestly, to help one another, and to nurture kindness in daily life may seem small, yet such acts carry a weight that endures far longer than wealth or recognition. A gentle word, a hand extended in need, a truth spoken with courage – these outlive us, becoming part of the harvest we leave behind.
October offers a reminder of this truth. For farmers, it is the season of gathering, when the results of patience and hard work are finally seen. Our lives, too, are a kind of field. The choices we make, the values we uphold, and the love we share are the seeds we plant. In time, they form the harvest of our existence. The winter of life will come for each of us, but what matters is the crop we leave for those who follow.
To live with awareness of impermanence is not to despair but to awaken. We cannot hold back time, but we can walk with it wisely. It teaches us to cherish each moment, to value people over pride, and to spend our days in ways that make the world lighter and kinder. Time will not slow for us, but if we use it well, our lives, though brief, can shine with lasting meaning.
