The human race (in one form or another) has existed for millions of years, and may well exist for many more millions of years. There are over seven billion people living on this planet, and in the time it takes you to read this opening paragraph, several babies will have been born.
Consider some of the most influential figures in history in any given field: Claude Monet, Sir Isaac Newton, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill. Their achievements will mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. Their accomplishments will be moot in the eyes of generations so far ahead of our time as to be alien.
I am telling you these things to emphasize just how inconsequential you are on a universal scale.
Regardless of who you are and what you do in your lifetime, the legacy you leave behind after your death will be nothing more than an infinitesimally small pinprick on the fabric of humankind’s existence.
You can do with this information as you see fit. You have two options:
- Use your irrelevance as an excuse to achieve little in your life and forgo happiness.
- Embrace your irrelevance. Accept that any ambition you have, no matter how great you may feel it is, means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Put your goals in perspective and recognize that you are capable of achieving almost anything imaginable, as your brain cannot begin to comprehend the scale of possibility inherent within the universe’s existence.
Your potential is far greater than you will ever truly fathom, and yet that potential will ultimately mean nothing in the history of mankind. As such, taking steps closer to reaching your full potential should be a prerequisite of your living. As someone who lives, breathes and thinks, you owe it to yourself.
When you gain the ability to view the world not only through your eyes, but objectively and in its entirety, you quickly learn to appreciate the myriad opportunities that exist to you. Once you are able to gain that most enlightening of perspectives, you will be in a position to make truly great (yet ultimately inconsequential) things happen.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Kirsty Stuart says
Love this! I’ve been watching a lot of science documentaries about the solar system as well as our fair planet lately. For some reason, knowing how almost unfathomably insignificant I am just makes me all the more fearless about going after my goals.
But what happens if it all goes wrong?
Who cares?
Thanks Tom – love how you seem to read my mind sometimes. 🙂
Tom Ewer says
My pleasure Kirsty 🙂
Michelle McCartney says
What a gauntlet to throw down. You are a persistent son of a gun!
Tom Ewer says
I try my best 😉
Bree Brouwer says
I guess I’d counter with the idea that even though we may be insignificant on the larger scale of the universe, we’re usually the center of one or several people’s individual worlds, right? So we DO make a difference in their lives, just likely not on a truly universal scale.
Tasha Turner says
I’m not sure if everyone is at the center of several individual people’s worlds although I know we like to think we are of parents, spouse, kids. Regardless I agree that we can make a difference on the lives of those we touch.
Tom Ewer says
I certainly wouldn’t argue against that Bree, but I think that your argument and my own can exist side-by-side without conflicting.
Sheils says
Great post Tom! Short and sweet. Hit the nail in the head! There is absolutely no reason why each and every single one of us can’t make the most of our lives. We have nothing to lose. =)
Tom Ewer says
Damn straight Sheila!
Michelle McCartney says
Ah! I’ve been a-thinking , Tom, what about ye olde ,’ meek inheriting the earth and our reward being in the next life’ theories…………………might shoot a theological hole in the foot of your inconsequential theory. I myself am planning a duet with Freddie Mercury of ‘Barcelona’ in front of an audience of 60,000. The bliss of hitting them high notes without squawking would be well worth the wait!
Tom Ewer says
Hey Michelle,
I suppose I would say two things in response to that:
1. If you believe what you say, what could be more meek than willfully accepting your own inconsequentiality?
2. I don’t believe in a next life, so it is (in my humble opinion) not relevant.
Cheers,
Tom
Kaya Ismail says
I actually completely disagree with you Tom, but to be honest I really like the fact that you’ve posted this. We as humans need to ask more questions like these. They’re constructive.
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Kaya, but I’m really keen to know why you disagree! Don’t be shy!
Kaya Ismail says
Haha, me? Shy? Perish the thought!
To put it simply, I believe that there is indeed a reason and meaning behind why we have all been placed upon the earth by The Creator.
Phrases like “just enjoy your life” and “just be a good person” are actually meaningless, used to cover the fact that life has no true meaning. In fact, the words “enjoy” and “good” are hugely subjective.
“Good” and “evil” for example are not terms which we can define. Describing something as “good” is the equivalent of describing something as “tasty”. It’s subjective, it’s not objective.
Unless of course, there is a Creator who reveals what “good” and “evil” is, and tells us why we were put here, and what our purpose is.
And I believe in such a Creator 🙂
Steven Le says
Man when I saw the title I was like, what on earth is this guy on about? It’s not usual to see a blog that says you aren’t special. Normally it’s you’re amazing, achieve whatever you want, quit your day job and make millions tomorrow and what not.
But very well said, to say we aren’t special and what we do won’t have any lasting effect takes a lot of courage!
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Steven 🙂
Adam says
Embraced! Carpe’ Diem. I have a slightly different idea on how to use one’s insignificance, but agree wholeheartedly that it should not limit a person, but free them! Delete this if you don’t want the link in your comments, but here’s my take: http://www.thisfluidlife.com/2013/12/dont-miss-rare-moments.html
Tom Ewer says
I like your take on it too Adam and I agree!
JoDavies says
My favorite take-away from that:
“Your potential is far greater than you will ever truly fathom, and yet that potential will ultimately mean nothing in the history of mankind. As such, taking steps closer to reaching your full potential should be a prerequisite of your living.”
I would add that as you try to reach your full potential, you should STRIVE to make as big a dent as possible in YOUR corner of the world… maybe it won’t be timelessly significant on an international level… but I think that people should strive to create their dent and become ‘special’ in their corner.
Tom Ewer says
Absolutely! I think this ties in nicely with what Adam was saying in another comment 🙂
Paul says
If I were to say, that we are ALL the same being, be it due from the Big Bang, God, Infinity, or Other, what would you say?
Tom Ewer says
I would ask to clarify what you mean by “all the same being,” but to be honest, the purpose of this site is not to engage in spiritual debate 😉
Michelle McCartney says
Ah! But , Tom you walked into that one. Still I am enjoying it!