echoes in eternity

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“what we do in life will echo in eternity”

Maximus (in the movie Gladiator)

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Years ago I wrote something similar to what I am sharing today. I called it ‘moment to do the extraordinary’ using a quote from Admiral Collingwood at Trafalgar. Regardless. This is kind of a simple thought (with complex ramifications).

Our actions impact others.

Oh.

And those actions live on.

Sometimes for eternity. Surely not all will <whew. thank god>, but some will. And ‘what we do’ isn’t just a reflection of who we are (although it certainly reflects upon your character and how you are judged). but this is bigger than a ‘me’ type thought.

This is actually a “more than me” type thought.

The is a thought that should make us think about choices and what we elect to do … because, well, what we do and the choices we make echo in eternity.

In one short sentence Maximus suggests that the way we live affects our present and determines our eternity.

He suggests what we do in the present will affect not who we are and what will happen but also our future; beyond death. Well. That sentence should make everyone who embraces “live in the now” to stop a moment and think.

Regardless. Ultimately what Maximum suggests is that you matter. You as in “everyone.”

That your thoughts matter.

That your choices matter.

That your actions matter.

And not only within this moment. But in the moments which end up in eternity.

It IS a simple thought, but a big, slightly overwhelming, thought. Your life matters not just to you, but to others.

So it is simple with complex ramifications. What you do is up to you, but your life matters to the degree that you choose it to matter. All this type of thinking translates into an awareness that Life means something — if, and when, you are aware of it in a conscious way (i.e., you pay attention to it).

But it is bigger than the ‘here & now’ life you are living. This thought suggests that this makes our decisions infinitely more important than just the here and now. It is kind of an infinite version of ‘consequences of your choices.’

Anyway. In eight relatively little words Maximum suggests a lot … and it may seem complex <or maybe I am just making it complex>, but the meaning of life is actually quite simple in that it is about choice.

Life is a conscious choice, or series of choices, on your part in that you get to choose your present, future and eternity ‘you.’ No one else. Just you. Yup. Your life, its meaning, is up to you.

In the end I imagine this is all about realizing ‘a moment’ really can matter  — if you want it to.

And while you are limited in what you can see <timewise> at any point you should, and most of us do, have a sense of eternity. In that there is life, and lives, after us. And in some way, sometimes small … sometimes big, we will echo within that Life.

I will not suggest anyone can predict all the consequences of their choices and actions and I will not suggest that anyone should try and predict all the consequences of their choices and actions. It would be a fruitless if absurd effort. That said. Being aware that your choices and actions have consequences in the future, even eternity, at least sets you mentally on the right path in the here & now.

Let me end here. Maximus is correct. What you do in life does indeed echo in eternity.

Simple as that.

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Written by Bruce