The Transience of Life, A Sobering Reflection, Ayo Ademilua,
By Ayo Ademilua
Life, in all its vibrance and vitality, is astonishingly transient. One moment, we are basking in the joys of existence – the laughter of friends, the warmth of family, the rhythm of music that fills the air. In the next, we are reminded of life’s fragility and fleeting nature. A single phone call, a sudden turn of events, and the world as we know it shifts, forcing us to confront the union of opposites that defines our existence.
This past weekend, I found myself navigating this duality. From the lively hum of a burial ceremony reception in Ikogosi – music, shared wine, and camaraderie – to the stark silence of hospital corridors. The shift was abrupt and humbling. The journey took me across 3 States of Ekiti, Osun and Ogun, physically and emotionally. In those moments, it became impossible to ignore the thin veil that separates life and death, joy and sorrow, laughter and tears.
This admixture of opposites is life’s essence. Partying and mourning, living and dying – these are not separate experiences but intertwined threads in the fabric of our existence. They remind us of our shared humanity and the reality that, irrespective of who we are, death is the ultimate leveller.
Visiting hospitals, especially the mortuary, offers lessons no textbook can teach. The stillness of the mortuary speaks volumes – it humbles the proud, silences the boastful, and reminds us of the brevity of our earthly journey. It underscores the futility of ego, material pursuits, and the incessant race for status. In the face of mortality, wealth, power, and titles dissolve into irrelevance.
Life’s worth is not measured by the applause of others but by the kindness we extend, the love we give, and the legacy of goodness we leave behind.
Let us remember that laughter and tears, highs and lows, are two sides of the same coin. Let us live with intention, cherish the moments we have, and strive to make life better not just for ourselves but for those around us. For in the end, it is not about what we accumulate but about how we live and love.
Life is short. Let us not boast, but instead live humbly, purposefully, and meaningfully.
*Chief Ayo Ademilua is a public affairs analyst