VIII. The Busy Life Is the Shortest Life

A paradox that turns out to be the central truth of the essay.

Here is something that sounds wrong but is true: the busiest people have the shortest lives.

Not shortest in years. Shortest in what they actually possess.

The busy person never has time to look back. They cannot review their life because they are always being pulled forward to the next thing. Even if they did look back, they would find little that gave them peace, because the memories that comfort you require presence to make. You cannot look back fondly on years spent distracted.

Think of the men who have been given power and status and everything they spent their lives chasing, and who say with genuine longing: when will this year be over? When will vacation come? When will I get to stop?

They are wishing their lives away. They have worked so hard to arrive at a destination that they spend all their time there wanting to leave.

The person who has used their time well does not feel this way. They do not wish for tomorrow because today is already enough. They do not dread Monday because every day is essentially the same to them: a day they are using well, a day that belongs to them.

You will know that you have been living well when you stop counting the days until something else begins.