When you think of the future, what do you see?
As subjective as this connotation may be, our answers are closer than you think. Some may dream of indulging in riches, while others may dedicate their lives to philanthropy or religion. But, eventually, it all boils down to one fact set in stone. We all are to pass.
As beautiful as the constellations in the sky are, with every N/kg of gravity, we’re heading toward our inevitable doom. It may not be now or tomorrow, but one day. This universe that expanded from a speck of sand into the clusters of galaxies that illuminate us to this very day will diminish.
It will come to pass, not with a loud bang or a huge explosion, but a faint murmur as the last known star dissolves. But before that day even remotely happens, have you pondered over where have you been?
The question, as existential as it may be, is fundamental to our success and the way we live. In the end, it’s our mindset that makes us.
They say, “Fear the person who has nothing to lose….”
And what better way to become that person than by telling yourself, “You’re gonna die.”
The number one salesperson and author of the best-selling book Josh Driver’s You’re Gonna Die Soon is the perfect way to remind yourself to live your life to the fullest, for you, too, shall pass.
But what is the psyche behind this powerful thought process?
Nothing to lose
When you have your back against the wall, when you’ve hit rock bottom and the only way is up, you tap into your primal instincts to survive. That’s when everything else just blurs out.
The problem with us humans today is that we have stopped taking risks. Those people who take the plunge and risk not following the crowd end up making their own way. People want their safe space, and in the pursuit of it, they end up dwelling in their comfort zones. This limits them and their success in the long run.
When you know you are going to die soon, you will not, figuratively but literally, live like there is no tomorrow. You will feel the need to return that call, strive for that physique you always wanted, and ask that girl out you had been too shy to approach.
If you convince yourself that every breath you take may possibly be your last, everything else around you starts to shift. You surround yourself with the right crowd, have more meaningful conversations, and build deeper connections. Josh Driver describes his book to be about life rather than what the name states. It’s astonishing; the fulfillment you can derive from knowing everything is fleeting.
You, too, shall pass.
Yes, it is quite morbid to think everything is fleeting. But including in that “everything” is your thoughts of negativity, despair, and self-loathing. Holistically, knowing everything will pass lets you focus on the moments of happiness you cherished.
We’re too quick to jump to conclusions and assess our lives for only their negative aspects. The truth is, if we focus on our wants, we will never be satisfied. We’re programmed to always want the next best thing for ourselves, to the point where we want to live the lives of other people. Josh Driver teaches his readers that their happiness is in their hands. The difference between you and someone successful isn’t that they are equipped with intellectual prowess more than you, but that they have the right mindset. They can blur out the negatives and optimize their brain to live happily.
In the end, it comes down to your definition of success. If success is merely money to you, you will never be content, for more money is printed daily. This is why you will see people who have less than you living happier, more fulfilled lives. It’s because they chose to find contentment in the now rather than the tomorrow.
Though, there is a fine line between staying happy with what you have and settling for the standard of living you set for today. Money, undeniably, is an invaluable resource that controls the world.
The Iceberg
Then you may ask yourself, what really is the point? What’s the sweet spot between the fine line that decides your happiness? Instead of being in hot pursuit of things that are fleeting, we must pursue how to have emotional control.
It’s not the destination but the journey that matters at the very end. We’re all in one ship heading towards an inevitable iceberg. Let’s enjoy the view, the waves of the ocean, the scent of seasons, and the warmth of life till winter finally arrives.
