JOYFUL PIECE #152
What is important?
A question came to mind:
As of 2026, how many humans have ever existed?
The answer:
117,000,000,000— I am one of the 117 billion humans, living and dead, who have ever existed.
Consider impactful historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Alexander the Great, Adolph Hitler, Archimedes, Catherine the Great, Genghis Khan, Ivan the Terrible, Julius Caesar, Hannibal, Hernán Cortez, Mahatma Gandhi, Marie Curie, Moctezuma, Mother Theresa, Napoleon, Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake, William Shakespeare, and multitudes of others that we may revere, despise, or honor. Even the most accomplished, or famous, or infamous is, in the final analysis, but a drop in the historical ocean of humanity— one more fish.
Most of us fret, struggle, to have “productive“, “meaningful” lives. Others are so caught up in themselves, prisoners of their egos that they agonize over “legacy”, over being remembered as the greatest of this or the best at that…
We are all seeking joy, a joy that we overlook, as we are caught in the net of our compulsions. I admit to falling into that snare much too often.
The greatest opportunity for joy is to have a compassionate, meaningful exchange with that human being in the room with you, that stranger that you are destined to encounter when you answer the doorbell, the phone, the prompt on your app, or best yet, when you head out into the world.
Cherish the moment and be truly joyful. Must we be transactional in encounters?
Seek tranquillity. Be joyful as you encounter the other drops in our existence.
Blessings of wind be upon me.
May my sails billow wide,
May I breathe deeply the gift of inspiration,
May I be carried to the place of my resurrection,
May I be fully free.
CHRISTINE VALTERS PAINTNER💧
Interesting subject.
"Because the global population grew slowly for thousands of years and exploded only recently due to advances in medicine and agriculture, the 8.3 billion people currently alive represent nearly 7% of all the humans who have ever existed."
Beautiful Manuel. Thank you.