“Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed: I was here. I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad. I was in love. I was afraid. I was hopeful. I had an idea and I had a good purpose and that’s why I made works of art.” – Felix Gonzales-Torres
When we think of human needs we think in terms of hunger, cold, thirst, the need for shelter, or for human connection.
Something like that.
We don’t think that we have this paradoxical relationship with death… our own brevity scares us so much that we want at least a small part of us to endure… we want to stand at the edge of the abyss and shout out at the darkness that our own mortality will not diminish our light…
We also feel most alive when closest to death.
Life and death are not opposites. They are complimentary. To be alive means to acknowledge death, to slowly move towards it. Without one, the other would lose its purpose.
Without the dark, we’d never appreciate the light.
And to be mortal is a wonderful thing, as long as you spend your life fighting to build something you hope would last forever.
Yes, I am but a man. Mortal. Fragile. But I was here. And my goal is to live my life in such a way that the sands of time will have a hard time erasing proof of my existence…
Well said. Leaving a meaningful mark is important, even if it is meaningful to just one other person. Hopefully many more, and hopefully a positive mark. My life continues to have purpose. I know I am doing it.
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Love this! As Humans we have such a need to find purpose and meaning in life. :)
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This is so beautiful!
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Thank you, Tia!
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You go, Cristian! :)
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Thank you, Susi!
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You’re welcome, Cristian! :)
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Beautifully said!
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Thank you!
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Wow that ending is a big statement. I think you’re doing a great job already living in that way. Very inspirational piece today. I’m glad I got to read it.
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I really liked this post. It was powerful and really brings a different perspective of life into view. Insightful.
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Thank you, Carol!
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Odd how this sentiment was one that also occupied much of my thoughts in these recent days. Perhaps it is the season for such reflections… anyways, I agree! To be alive at all is the true gift
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just what I needed to hear right now. :)
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I repeat the words above – Well said! Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much, Barb!
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We all want to leave our mark. As writers, I think we definitely do. Death does loom which gives us all the more reason to live well and have a blast in this life. Superb post, Cristian!
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Thank you so much, Parker!
We do an awful lot of things because we know we are going to die eventually.
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Well said. Yes, knowing that I won’t last is strong motivation to try to leave behind something that does.
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Love the quote. It truly encapsulizes our human experience. Keep up the good work.
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Thank you! I wlll.
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