Everything is a fleeting moment.
Like many other people I’ve been caught up in the new cycles for the Artemis II mission around the moon. While there have been been many sobering thoughts cycling through my mind such as how amazing God’s creation is, the one that stands out at the time of writing this is the sorrowful fact that this is only one moment in time.
We wish we could be there and have the same incredible opportunity often without thinking about how much time and energy had to go into preparing for this one moment. And how much work will go into preparing for the next one. The one moment inspired us, not the thousands of hours of training, study, and procedure behind it.
For myself, and perhaps others, I wish I could capture the feeling of pure excitement and joy to draw from whenever I want. But life goes on, and then the next million non-exciting moments, before we are again awakened to another feat in human achievement. But even these joyful moments are quickly forgotten. And we are forced to return to our own reality that often feels hopelessly dismal in comparison.
Granted, if everything we did were exciting, we’d probably get bored of it rather quickly. In my experience most of life is many dull moments with a few treats sprinkled in. These small moments are what stirs motivation inside us and are most often based on the achievements of others. And, put plainly, it’s a good indication of why relationships with other people are so important. We are needed by each other to lift one another up and keep each other going. By ourselves, life is quite boring, until another moment of joy in either our own life or another’s reinvigorates us.
But even for those we look up to, their moment of joy is also not forever. Astronauts are just as human as anyone else, and will have hard days among the good ones.
Happy moments are wonderful and we should take advantage of them when we can, but they are not the only moments.
I also believe that any moment can be full of just as much joy or inspiration even for mundane tasks like folding laundry or going for a walk. I tell myself when doing things that today feel routine and basic, that they are in fact a luxury. Imagine if you were an astronaut, stranded on a moon, or inside a tiny capsule for days or even months. Imagine how refreshing it must be to return to something mundane and familiar. Laundry isn’t always fun, but it can be when doing it reminds you of your mother and how you used to always watch her doing the laundry. Then it becomes a sobering moment. And one that you appreciate much more.
We enjoy moments that make us feel inspired, without realizing that we have the ability to inspire ourselves every day, with nothing more than our memories and our connections to those around us. Moments are made of memories.
Everything you do, when done with intention can become a good moment, captured in your mind for all time. And there will be a day, that you look back and wish you could return to those mundane, carefree days.
This moment is one of many. Appreciate it and tell yourself it is a special one. Because it really can be as special as you want.