We often say that life is hard, short, and a struggle. Yet, life is ours. It has its ugliness so we can recognise beauty, and it presents challenges to remind us of its simplicity and worth.

We frequently believe that others have better, more beautiful lives because, from our perspective, they seem to possess what they desire and pursue their passions. But who stops us from following our own aspirations, confronting obstacles, and seizing the opportunities life presents?

More often than not, it is our minds that hold us back, fueled by a fear of embracing the possibilities that come our way. This fear prevents us from discovering where a path can lead if we do not take steps in that direction. We will never uncover what lies behind a door if we do not dare to open it.

The wise, as Confucius referred to the elders, have imparted their teachings to us, reminding us to live in the present. Truly living each moment means not missing the opportunities that life offers.

Each opportunity is like a rare chance that may never come again. No matter how much we may regret losing it later, we cannot turn back time to reclaim that opportunity or change the past. However, we can learn valuable lessons from it.

Life itself is a chance—our opportunity to become better, to express gratitude, to apologise, or to seek forgiveness—not only from those we consider important but also from everyone around us. Each person we encounter represents another version of ourselves, with their own dreams and desires. Recognising this enables us to avoid feeling regret for not acting when we had the opportunity to connect with them while they were alive.

“How many opportunities do we miss simply because we are afraid of missing them?”

Life, with its brevity, teaches us to seize opportunities: to appreciate the sun and the rain, to enjoy the scent of flowers, the vibrant green grass, the smiles of children and the elderly, the laughter of others, and to engage in activities we love. We should cherish our loved ones and express our affection for them.

Life is reduced to the “now,” which Irvin D. Yalom refers to as “a moment in the sun.” Marcus Aurelius suggests that it is “an unnoticed moment, as other times are either already lived or uncertain”. There is one reason for the words “do not leave for tomorrow what you can do… today”.

Ultimately, the choice to live life as if we were immortal or to recognise that “human life is too small a unit of measurement to measure eternity” is ours to make. Life is an opportunity that exists between birth and death, offered to us here and now.

Photo by me

Love, Manuela

Copyright © 2016-2025 manuela@inalove.world

References:

1. Confucius – Analecte
2. Irvin D. Yalom – Călătoria către sine – Memoriile unui psihiatru
3. Marc Aureliu Către Sine Însuși
4. Mihai C. Vornicu – Amintiri de drumeție