In my research for a recent university assignment, I had to explore the philosophies of Nietzsche. This guy gets a bit of a bad rap, as Hitler was a fan and used one of his works, but not in the way it was intended. Anyway, one of his theories was the concept of Eternal Recurrence. This is different from the commonly understood idea of reincarnation, where you come back again and again to learn new lessons in an attempt to get it right.
They way Nietzsche explains eternal recurrence is that your life is on a loop, you replay over and over, time does not exist how we think it does, and “fate” is a real thing. It is not that he necessarily believes this is the truth, but really the idea seems to be designed to make you think. After reading many different journals and articles discussing different interpretations of what Nietzsche's point was, this is what stuck with me.
So I ask you to imagine, if you did have to live your life over and over, would you be content with living your current life over and over again. And I am not talking about living in the same house, having the same job, everything in your life replaying like a movie on repeat, nor am I talking about your material possessions.
I am talking about who you are, your spirit, your values, your morals, your persona. Do you strive to be kind to others? Do you try to think positively? Do you follow your dreams? Do you love with your whole heart? Do you believe in what you do? Are you living a full life embracing every day the best you can on that day? Are you living your most beautiful life possible in this reality? Are you living your best life?
In other words, if this essence of you, your persona, is the you that will repeat over and over, are you content with the person you are?
This is not to say you that you need to jump out of bed every morning and feel amazing, because the truth is some days are going to feel great, some might be okay, some will feel blah, and others will be not so good. And that is okay because you cannot know happy if you do not know sad, you cannot know excitement if you do not know boredom. Accept each moment for what it is and just be there for it. You only really have any control over the now.
We now live in a world where we are bombarded by social media and advertising, and the underlining message is that we need to constantly be chasing this elusive happiness. Life is a kaleidoscope of emotions and experiences. So, stop pursuing happiness, it is not a destination. That is not what your gift of life is for. Living is. Living your best life.
Love and laughter always,
Amanda
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