It is easy to see that in our
everyday lives nothing is permanent. There is no such thing as an everlasting
summer, a forever romance, or a life circumstance that seemingly could last
till the day that you die. Impermanence is everywhere. It isn’t just a way to
look at the things, circumstances, people, and ideas that surround it, but it
is a way of living that helps us get more in touch with reality and to help us
appreciate these things much more. According to Thich Nhat Hahn, “things change
because causes and conditions change” (132). This is not something to be afraid
of. Impermanence is something to accept and recognize. Through accepting and
recognizing impermanence, you can cherish things in the moment and enjoy life
more, not suffer as much, and live more mindfully.
It
seems like every time I see my nieces and nephews they grow another six to
eight inches. I remember each of them as tiny infants that I was able to pick
up and cart around on my hip. Now, each of them has grown up to be toddlers
with no desire to be picked up by their parents, let alone me. I don’t even
think I could carry them if I tried! Without impermanence, I wouldn’t be able
to handle watching them grow and I would probably get really upset seeing them
all get so big. Accepting that everything is temporary has allowed me to watch
my nieces and nephews grow up. Parents often say that they wish they could go
back to the infant days so they could cherish those early moments all over
again. Accepting impermanence allows parents to truly enjoy watching their
children grow up to be strong adults.
Feelings
of anger and sadness are an example of why impermanence is a good thing. When
you are angry at someone for wronging you in any way, or sad because things you
hoped would work out didn't, eventually you will feel better and get over your
feeling of anger or sadness (or often both). Getting over things easy is not
“lacking feelings,” it is recognizing that some things can’t be controlled and
that some things are just out of your control. Impermanence help us in this
case by helping us see that you can’t change the past and living in the moment
will help us live life with more enjoyment and less suffering. So while you are
sad in the moment, remember that you are wasting precious moments by living in
the past or the future. Embrace impermanence and you will live a life that is
more enjoyable and more mindful.
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