Maturing Beyond "Forever"

Finding Meaning in Life's Impermanence

Image created and edited in Canva Pro by Alejandro Betancourt.

“The gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment may be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.” (Achilles, Troy).

When we are young, we often view life through rose-colored glasses. The world seems full of endless possibilities, and our friendships feel like they will last forever. We believe those we love will remain by our side, unchanged by the winds of time. But as we grow older, we start to understand the impermanent nature of life. We realize that nothing stays the same — people, relationships, and moments are all transient gifts we cannot cling to or possess.

Our romantic ideals of youth give way to a deeper appreciation for the transience of life. We learn that the finite quality of our time with others makes it precious and extraordinary. We stop taking our loved ones and experiences for granted whe…