Immortality of the Self is Found Through Selflessness

I enjoy pondering the paradox of my post title. To become truly immortal, one must sacrifice the very essence that one strives to preserve: the self.

I have always believed that immortality is a very real and possible state of being. And it's simple, even outside of a religious context. When you help someone, when you show someone true selflessness, you have imprinted your soul, your very self, onto that individual via your actions. That person may very well go and perform your exhibited kindness on others. Thus, you are alive through concepts such as love and kindness.

Hmm, perhaps now you are beginning to see the pattern? You learned acts of kindness, love and selflessness from other people, or perhaps other happenings, in your life. By immortalizing yourself through selflessness, you are also continuing the immortality of others.

"But Dan, you're not immortalizing others from the past or yourself. You may be doing what is called 'paying it forward', but you aren't passing on your name and fame. You are simply perpetuating an existing idea. Nobody will remember you for it." Really? Do you think about and thank Edison and Voltaire every time you turn on a light switch? No. A selfless individual isn't looking to be remembered for their actions. They already live on within the action itself.

So go out and be nice to someone, or do something that makes someone else feel happy or loved. Through those actions, you are living forever. You have become a chapter in the stories of Love and Selflessness. Those books are read much more often than you might think, and they never end. Are you a part of them, or simply a footnote, if that?

And, in case you're wondering where your happiness lies in all this, just remember: there are other people that are looking to perform acts of kindness and love with you, so be open to it.

Love is an action. A selfless, immortalizing action. Go and live forever. I'll see you somewhere down the road.

Invincibility May Lie in Defense, But Victory Lies in Offense

Nosce Te Ipsum: Know Thyself.

Acta Non Verba: Actions, Not Words.

Well, cheers to my blogging debut. Words, wisdom, experience and strength will follow in the posts to come. Be strong.

"I know not of defeat, my experience becomes my strength."