When a tragedy, a freak accident, or an unexplainable event happens, it’s interesting how we all remember how precious life actually is and how, in an instant, it can change just like that.
No matter if you’re a man or woman,
The religion you follow,
Or where you come from,
In these times, we often remember our humanness and the gift that life is!
Why We Forget Life Is Precious
The question is, then, what happens next?
And why is it that we don’t live our lives in accordance with this fundamental truth all, if not most, of the time?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m as guilty of this as the next person.
We’re reminded of the finiteness of life when tragedy strikes. That awareness may stay with us for a moment or two, or a day, a week, or more, but sooner rather than later, we fall back into our old habits, patterns, and behaviours.
We go back to our ordinary lives, complaining about this and that, taking life for granted.
I’ve seen this cycle, rinse and repeat, many times and often question it…
Not just for my own life and all the people around me, but for humanity and the world at large.
I question it because…
Why do we need a catastrophic event to make us see just how precious life is?
And…
Why don’t we act upon it?
Using Life’s Fragility as a Catalyst for Change
Surely, a better approach when we are reminded of the finiteness of life would be to use it as inspiration, motivation, and even a catalyst to make changes in our lives so that we can live our best lives possible! It’s a theory found in the research, too. Studies on death reflection and gratitude have found that consciously reflecting on our mortality, rather than fearing it, can deepen our appreciation for the life we have.
Because here’s the truth…
None of us are getting out of here alive.
And none of us knows when our time is up.
These truths can be scary for many, especially when we’re living inauthentic lives and know it deep down.
Why We Fall Back Into Old Patterns
I have some theories on why we go back to our same old patterns, from the fact that it’s much more comfortable (and easier) to do what we’ve always done rather than change, to the idea that change is hard in and of itself, to some evolutionary reasons that I’m yet to discover.
Either way, it remains that for the majority of us, even in times of tragedy, sooner or later, we go back to our old behaviours, living a life far less than the one we’re capable of living.
As Tony Robbins once said:
“Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.”
I find this rather sad…
Because so many are living lives beneath what they’re capable of living.
I’m not talking about making millions of dollars or becoming the next big movie star.
I’m talking about pursuing a passion as a career path, travelling the world, asking that guy or girl out on a date, or any number of daily actions that we put off day after day after day, for a whole number of reasons, from wanting to appease others and society at large, to allowing our insecurities and limiting beliefs to get the better of us.
Whatever the reason, our true potential and living our very best lives possible never get to see the light of day.
That’s why this makes me sad…
Surely, this is at least what life is about.
One of life’s purposes is to express ourselves fully, thus living our best lives possible when it’s all said and done.
Instead, many of us live the opposite.
Escaping the Mental Prisons We Build
We’ve built mental prisons in our minds that we cannot escape from.
And every so often, when unexplainable life events happen, we are reminded of this, yet soon after, we discard it.
Is Tragedy Life’s Way of Waking Us Up?
But what if these events are life’s way of shaking us from an individual to a societal and even global level?
What if, whether it’s tragic accidents in our own lives or those we read about in other parts of the world, from other countries to celebrities and alike, it’s all life’s way of telling us something we know to be true on a deep fundamental level…
We’re not going to live forever.
We’re not infinite.
Our lives, at least in the form of being human, will end.
And this sparks something within us.
But for the reasons alluded to above, and for the fact that fear keeps us stuck, we fail to truly wake up.
We fail to truly see the signs that life is giving us and decide to make the most of our time here on planet Earth.
Maybe, until we do so, tragic events will always continue to happen.
Maybe they will anyway, because, on some level, the majority of us will never truly wake up to the realisation that our life is finite.
Or…
Maybe all of this is just my desire to try to make sense of when tragic events happen to give them some sort of meaning or purpose, and something that we can all learn from to help us grow, become better, and live our best lives possible…
And maybe there isn’t a purpose to any of them, and tragic events just happen.
They’re an innate part of life, and accepting this will lead to more inner peace and contentment.
I’m open to that possibility, as I’m open to all possibilities.
At the end of the day, who really knows?
Whether it’s me, you or anyone else, none of us really know, and we are all navigating this thing called life and doing the best that we can based on our level of consciousness.
Every Day Is a Chance to Wake Up
I just hope, pray, and wish that more people wake up to the truth that life is precious and finite, and we’re not going to live forever.
And use this fundamental truth to help shape their lives so they make the most of life and get to live their best lives possible.
Rather than staying stuck as prisoners in the mental jails they’ve built in their own minds.
Tragic events and accidents might be one way that life helps us to wake up and break out. But the reality is that every day is an opportunity to do just that.
Key Takeaways on What Tragedy Teaches Us
- Forgetting Life’s Value: You often forget how precious life is, quickly returning to old habits and taking things for granted after a tragic event serves as a brief reminder.
- Using Fragility as a Catalyst: You can use the awareness of life’s finiteness as a powerful motivation to make meaningful changes and live more fully, rather than letting it scare you.
- Why You Revert to Old Patterns: It’s common to fall back into old behaviours because it feels comfortable and easy, often allowing insecurities and limiting beliefs to prevent you from pursuing what truly matters.
- Escaping Mental Prisons: Recognise that you might be living within self-imposed mental limits, and tragic events can act as a stark reminder of these invisible walls you’ve built.
- Tragedy as a Wake-Up Call: Consider the possibility that tragic events are life’s way of shaking you from complacency, urging you to appreciate your mortality and live with greater purpose.
- Every Day is an Opportunity: You don’t need a catastrophic event to change your life. Every day offers a fresh chance to break free from old patterns and live more consciously.
FAQs for What Tragedy Teaches Us About Living Fully
Why do we forget that life is precious so quickly after a tragedy?
It’s human nature to seek comfort and familiarity. After the initial shock of a tragedy wears off, you tend to slip back into your established routines and thought patterns because it requires less mental and emotional effort than sustaining a major perspective shift and making difficult changes.
How can I use the awareness of life’s fragility in a positive way?
Instead of viewing life’s finiteness with fear, you can use it as a powerful motivator. Let it inspire you to stop putting things off. Ask yourself what truly matters and start taking small, daily actions, whether it’s pursuing a passion, mending a relationship, or simply being more present.
What are the ‘mental prisons’ mentioned in the article?
Mental prisons are the self-imposed limitations, limiting beliefs, and insecurities that hold you back. They are the ‘I can’t’, ‘I’m not good enough’, or ‘what will people think?’ narratives that prevent you from living authentically and pursuing your full potential.
Is it necessary to experience a tragedy to start living fully?
Absolutely not. While tragedies can serve as a powerful wake-up call, the goal is to cultivate this awareness without needing such a painful catalyst. You can choose to wake up every day by practising gratitude, mindfulness, and regularly reflecting on your mortality to inspire conscious living.
What if I feel stuck and unable to change my old habits?
Feeling stuck is a common experience. Change often happens when staying the same becomes more painful than changing. Start with small, manageable steps. Identify one limiting belief or habit you want to change and focus your energy there. Seeking support from friends, family, or a professional can also make a significant difference.
