Nadja (in Twitter @lazyNadja) gave a wonderful presentation on “the meaning of life“ at the technological IF-Forum “Project Coaching”. Here is a nice short version (9) on six slides.
In her presentation, Nadja gave us a task. We were asked to imagine we had only 24 hours left to live.
And then we were to think about how we would make use of those last hours. The answer “say good-bye” was not permitted. No. We were supposed to find out what it was we really would like to do – and also ask ourselves why we are not already doing all those things.
The question was part of her plea to think of ourselves a little more, even if, as responsible project managers, we suffer from (often imagined) day-to-day stress. And to do more of the sort of things we really enjoy. Because only people who are happy, successful, content… can also contribute towards other people becoming happy, successful, content… And if we spend more time doing what we really want to do, we will be more successful with our tasks as project persons. Also, we will increase the probability that our life is a success and we can work towards a positive future for everybody.
For me, the answer to Nadja’s question was not at all easy. At least, I spontaneously could not come up with any elementary needs I do not let myself fulfill “in normal life”. Except maybe that I sometimes feel like punishing one or other of the persons around me with a punch for his or her evilness, impertinence or stupidity. But that is something that would not agree with my personal utopia of a penalty-free society. And since I am also well aware that this kind of vengeance or crime would neither satisfy me nor make me happy, I will not commit it.
Well, and how about the “enemy” hitting back? Luckily, these kinds of ideas rarely come to surface with me – and they disappear quickly, too.
So let us return to the initial question:
Assuming I had 24 hours left to live. What would I do?
Well, I tend to approach important questions systematically and strategically. Consequently, the first thing I think about is: would I wish to spend the remaining time by myself or along with others. Would I like to give away many things during those last hours, or would I prefer receiving things. Would I wish to just enjoy or would I wish to make one last impact? Should I shout my frustration – as “The Stranger“ does in the novel with the same title by the great Albert Camus? What is nicer (or more goal-oriented)? Being sober during the last hours on earth or drunk?
These and similar – in my opinion totally rational, almost scientific questions – come to my mind first. Then I think that it is all a lot easier.
In the morning of my last 24 hours, I would first ride my bike to the “real bakery”. Then I would enjoy a delicious breakfast with home-made jam, a three-minute egg (of the sort the EU is currently trying to talk Europe’s hotel owners out of) and salted (real) butter. As I otherwise only get on weekends.
But then how to continue? Go for a swim? Or meditate? Nadja’s question is really hard to answer for me. And I think this is a good sign. Because if I were now able to come up with the big wish I always used to dream of and never fulfill, it would mean that I made a mistake.
But no matter what: during the last 24 hours of my life, I would definitely write an IF Blog article.
RMD
(Translated by EG)
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