There's a saying in Aeon Flux that has stayed with me, a good fifteen years (where did that time go?) 'An ice cream cone and brain tumour are the same thing to a dead man'.
If you're existentialist, it sums up the crux of life. That eventually, it all comes to naught. If you're not, you probably just think this is a very negative saying, and am wondering why I like it.
A friend is dying, and I'm struggling with what to say. From the hospice she writes "Nothing much matters when you boil everything down...Just what you feel. It's quite nice having all the other shit pared away."
It's a lesson many of us learn too late. It's something we should try and embrace a little sooner. As discussed in this post - the bad things will still happen, but we need to think about if they really matter? The big things? Yes, they are painful and we struggle. The little inconveniences? Do we really need to let them ruin our happiness?
“My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate - that's my philosophy” Thornton Wilder.
For the record, the best ice cream in Sydney is the Messina Coconut & Lychee. If you must deviate, Messina's Ginger & Dragonfruit is also acceptable. Everything else is a poor second.
Linking with #Blogtober21 and #InspireMeMonday
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend - lotsa hugs xox
ReplyDeleteWhat a great saying - yes a bit morbid, but so on the money. Nothing beats homemade ice-cream made with real cream and chocolates !!!
Have the best day xox
I'm sorry to hear about your friend too.
ReplyDeleteWe all end up back in the earth so I think the best thing to do is treat others the way we want to be treated. Thanks all anyone can ask for.
I like these expressions though, even if they are a bit morbid. X
Sorry to hear about your friend Lydia - we can all learn from how she is coming to terms with her death and the meaning in your post - that it is all about enjoying things and not letting the little, inconsequential things matter.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear of your friend. The thought of not letting the little things worry us reminds me of The Happiness Trap, which I've talked about a few times. It's not about ignoring the bad stuff, just realising that it's all part of what makes up life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
So, so true. I have heard many dying family members say the same thing entirely. X
ReplyDeleteBig hugs Lydia - I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. This is why we need to be grateful and mindful here and now because we never know how long we have on this earth. Icre-cream is good! My favourite is Macadamia Nut icecream. Yum! xo
ReplyDeleteLove this quote by Thornton Wilde and so sorry to hear about your friend. Makes you focus on the things that matter :-) Hang in there
ReplyDeleteOh Lydia sorry to hear you're about to lose someone you care for. But I will take this lesson today, a very wise one indeed. As for Aeon Flux, I LOVE that movie and actually might watch tonight for a bit of escapism!
ReplyDeleteI meant the cartoon series...I was a little disappointed in the movie (only because I was so attached to the cartoon, and she's wicked in the cartoon...but in a good way)
DeleteThanks for this reminder. I never know what to say, death and me are awkies. I guess there is nothing to say, just carry on being a friend. xx
ReplyDeleteThose ice cream flavours sound so delicious! I used to work in an ice cream shop, with around 20 flavours it was hard to have a favourite. I liked the honeycomb crunch though :)
I think it all comes down to lives experiences rather than the stuff we seem to gather around us, that at the time we think is so important. A great reminder to get out an experience life.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your friend. Why do wait till the end for us to figure out what really matters? A study was done when one question was asked to those dying, "What's one thing you wished you did more?" Majority said "Spend more time with my family"
ReplyDeleteLicking up every bit of that ice-cream on my plate...
I'm going to lick up every bit of ice-cream off that plate.
Gosh, I wouldn't even look at those flavours you've suggested! I'm chocolate all the way. Perhaps I should branch out.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to read about your friend Lydia ! Such an important lesson for us all to be reminded of. I guess all you can do is listen to your friend. xx
ReplyDeleteAn important lesson. So sorry you lost your friend. xxx
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. This is such an important lesson.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your friend. x
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your friend, it's really difficult when someone reaches that stage and very difficult to know exactly what to say x
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for this hard time for you and your friend. I had never heard this saying before, but understand where you are coming from.
ReplyDelete