21 Comments

This was an unexpectedly good read. It resonated with me, as I learned some of the same lessons at 37 years old. However, I had not done this until after spending a stressful decade in San Francisco. Moving to Puerto Rico made me realize that all of those years in SF, I was only surviving, and I now appreciate my limited time. I started my own UX Design Agency, but am now trying to build it in a way that creates a balance in my life. Thanks!

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Thank you! Wish you the best of luck finding that balance :)

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Hi Zen. Really enjoyed this. I’m a big fan of Seneca’s writings also and they have helped me at times. It’s just a shame you had to experience a tragic event and need to put them into practice - sorry for your loss and hope you’re holding up ok. I’m currently listening to ‘Sophie’s World’ by Jostein Gaarder. Worth a read/listen if not already. 🔮💜

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Thank you for the rec! I just looked it up, looks and sounds very interesting -- will add it to my list :)

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Hi Zeneca , sorry for your loss. It was a very insightful writing. About the time and the balance of life I have been thinking since November very often. I wish you a good start in Dubai!

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Hi Zeneca, the comment about how we've already spent 99% of our time with our folks by age 25 was mindblowing. That is why I've started spending more time with mom and dad (I'm 44 now), even though we live 3000 miles apart, from forwarding funny videos here and there, leaving voice notes, long calls once a week, because I know that I won't be able to do this with them at any given moment.

Sorry about your doggie, it took me back to when I was 8 and I had an awesome dog. He was super smart, so my mom would let him out to play in the streets and he'd always come back before I got back from school. One day, he wasn't there when I got back, and I never saw him again. I was grief stricken for months.

Death comes to all of us, but we can keep death at bay by our fond memories, and we can build on those memories to create more fond memories for ourselves and those whom we love, for they give us warmth and strength.

Thanks for all that you do for the Universe.

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This is by far the most inspiring I have read for a long time.

It’s not even a book and still You got so much value and sharing of everything from death to time in the text.

Death comes one day to everyone, that’s part of life. Hopefully because of age and not because of an accident. Still, we don't know.

What we do know is that the time is limited and like Abraham Lincoln said:

“In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years”.

Thank You🫶🏼

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Thanks Zeneca, I've cross posted this to the Vagobond Magazine Community. My first book was originally titled "My Time is My Own" and touched on many of these topics but through a different lens. Eventually my publisher convinced me to change the title to Rough Living, but I've always felt that the first title was more raw and meaningful. Appreciated reading this.

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Thanks CD :)

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Thank you so much for sharing all your thoughts. But most of all, I want to say I´m so sorry for your loss. For a second, I felt that deep pain again when I lost my dog, who only got 1.5 years. And yes, I feel you when you say it was the hardest day in your life.

I really enjoyed reading your letter, and I´m looking forward to reading another one soon. I want to tell you that your writing touches me. So again, thank you for sharing all this. I appreciate it a lot. Send you a hug from Berlin.

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Thank you Suzy, and I am so sorry for the loss of your dog also. They all deserve so much more time on earth.

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Zen, I’m very sorry to hear you lost your pet. This was your most insightful and mindful piece yet. You are ahead of your years.

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Zen, I empathize with you.....May his spirit walk by your side.

We lost our dog this past week too. You mentioned that you were about to leave for a trip when this happened. I unfortunately was out of the country and, watching (thorough Facetime) during his last few hours was devastating to say the least. We've been grappling with this loss, and the emptiness in our home is all to evident.

"Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” – Agnes Sligh Turnbull

Take care.

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I'm so sorry for your loss :( Dogs' lives are indeed too short. Far too short.

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Zeneca.. this is so inspiring for me! I’m so grateful and lucky that I discovered your texts in this time of my lifetime! 🙏 thank you!

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Thank you so much

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🔮💜

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inspired <3

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Wow!! Deeply insightful, thought provoking, self-reflective long form essay!! Thanks a million for the guidance!! 😎🖖🏽

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Hey Zen, I'm sorry for your loss. The thought of my own dog leaving me one day hurts me so deeply that I can't imagine what you're going through right now. As someone who isn't religious or spiritual, I've likewise found the stoic teachings of our ancient mentors to be my coping mechanism in difficult times. It takes a lot of courage to share something so deeply personal, I appreciate you sharing your meditations with us.

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This is written so so well. Thankyou. :)

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