A relative and I spoke of life's mysteries yesterday. Only now in life have I been as cognizant of the mystery that life holds. I think this is true because I've been close to many deaths in the recent path and I've been in close contact with my nonagenarian parents. We simply don't know how long our lives or the lives of our loved ones will be. This is something we generally don't like to think about, but when death occurs, we do think about our mortality and that of those we love.
Why some people live long, long lives and others short lives is a mystery. Yes, we can point to medical and genetic reasons for longevity, but because so many factors play a role in our longevity, there is great mystery to it overall.
I'd like to think I'll live forever. I like life and have countless pursuits I want to engage in, but I simply don't know how long my life will be--no one really knows that. We can count on averages as a guide. That helps, but it doesn't answer the question.
So what do you do in the face of this mystery? For me, I think the answer is to live your best life everyday. Love as much as you can. Be generous. Live responsibly by doing your part and keeping up on your obligations. Know what makes you happy and make sure that's a big part of your life, and find ways to bring happiness to other lives as well.
Life has many mysteries, and when we're open to that, I believe our lives become an eventful journey with potential for great happiness and contribution. Onward.