A lot of big, tragic and important things have happened to this wonderful country of ours since April 2014. None of which I have covered. I was too busy writing about hungover parenting, ancient philosophy and my dog Colin.
Out of the 536 columns I have written, 27 were about that guy. Far too few. He is such a good boy, he deserves an article a week.
Today is the end of an era for me, and whenever these final events pop up in our lives, we can’t help but think about the ultimate end.
Everything we do, we will one day do for the last time. That’s why you have to enjoy things while they are around. It’s not just big events like leaving a job, house or loved one either. Whatever moment you happen to be in now, you will never get it back, and you don’t know how many more you have.
Everything we do in life, from eating pizza to spending time with the people we love, to driving, writing, drinking or breathing, we will one day experience for the final time. It might happen tomorrow. This can be either a depressing or an inspiring thought, depending on how you look at it.
A few years back in this column, I interviewed professor of philosophy William B Irvine, of Wright State University, Ohio, on this very topic. He put it this way on a Zoom call: “Recognition of the impermanence of everything in life can invest the things we do with a significance and intensity that would otherwise be absent. The only way we can be truly alive is if we make it our business periodically to entertain thoughts of the end.”
Today’s column is very meaningful to me because it is my last. Like the last night with a lover before she goes overseas. And just like a lover, there have been some half-arsed efforts put in from me over the years. Last week, for example, I spent 750 words moaning about how bad my cricket team is. But the truth is that any of my columns could have been the final. If I had reminded myself every week for the past 10 years that the end is inevitable, I may have been more grateful for having a column and appreciated writing them all as much as I am this one.
While everything we do could have more meaning with a focus on finitude, some things are inherently more worthwhile than others. There is no doubt my column “The pros and cons of wearing Speedos” from November 2022 was less meaningful than most things in this world. That was a waste of everyone’s time. So, if we only have so much time, how do we pick the best things to do?
Well, Oliver Burkeman, the author of Four Thousand Weeks – Time Management For Mortals, suggested this to me in a 2022 column: “Ask yourself, does this choice enlarge me? You usually know on some unspoken level if it does. That’s a good way to distinguish between options.”
With that in mind, I don’t feel great about my 2018 article on “New Zealand’s best hole”. That didn’t enlarge anyone.
There will be people reading this column right now who have loved my writing in the Herald and are sad to see it end. Others will have hated it and are glad to see me go. Many won’t have any opinion at all. But for those in the first camp, I have good news. I have a book coming out on May 28 called A Life Less Punishing – 13 Ways To Love The Life You Got (Allen and Unwin Book Publishers). It’s a deep dive into the history, philosophy and science of not wasting our time lost in anger, loneliness, humiliation, stress, fear, boredom and all the other ways we find to not enjoy perfectly good lives. It’s available for pre-order right now (google it if you’re interested).
A Life Less Punishing took me two years to write and is equivalent in words to 100 of these columns. Which would be a complete nightmare for those in the hate camp, but as I say, great news for those who want more.
Anyway, thanks to the Herald for having me, thanks to the lovely people who make an effort to say nice things to me about my column nearly every day and thanks to the universe for every single second we get.
Bless!
A Love Story That Will Warm Your Heart
Keith Urban, the talented and charming musician from Australia, has stolen the hearts of millions. But it’s his love story with actress Nicole Kidman that truly captivates us. In a 2007 interview with Vanity Fair, Kidman revealed that she was secretly engaged to someone else when she first met Urban in 2005. Fate had a different plan, though, as the two fell in love and got engaged just three months later.
Kidman admitted that they didn’t truly know each other until after they were married, but there was an undeniable connection between them from the start. “Meeting at a certain age makes a difference. And I trust my gut instinct,” she said. “From the first minute I met him, there was a feeling of, Ahhh OK, somehow I’ve met home. And he had the same feeling. That was all we had but that was the essence of what we worked from.”
Their love story blossomed, and together they welcomed two beautiful girls into the world. But Urban’s journey to becoming the man he is today was also shaped by the influence of his late father, Robert. Sadly, Robert lost his battle with prostate cancer, a disease that also affected other members of Urban’s family, including his uncles.In 2018, to honor his father’s memory and raise awareness about prostate cancer, Urban attended the “It’s A Bloke Thing” luncheon in Toowoomba. His dedication to the cause was evident as he performed at a fundraiser for prostate cancer awareness, offering his talents for free. The event was a huge success, raising a record-breaking $2,024,000.
These selfless acts exemplify the kind of person Keith Urban is. Not only is he a gifted musician, a loving spouse, and a devoted parent, but he also has a heart of gold. His passion for raising awareness about prostate cancer shows his commitment to making a positive impact in the world.
Let’s celebrate Keith Urban, the man who has touched our hearts with his music and his kind spirit. Share this article with your family and friends on Facebook to spread the love and admiration for this incredible artist. Together, we can make a difference!
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