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Some Live in the Moment, Others Seek Immortality

发布时间：

2026-08-13

Some Live in the Moment, Others Seek Immortality

Sun Zuodong

Broadly speaking, human life follows two core orientations: some choose to live in the moment, embracing the mortal bustle right before their eyes; others stubbornly pursue immortality, longing to break free from the fetters of time. Neither path is inherently superior to the other. Divergent life obsessions simply grow out of disparate life experiences and encounters. Having weathered half a lifetime’s storms and observed the myriad states of the world, I have gradually come to understand that behind these two choices lies humanity’s most profound inquiry into the meaning of life.

Those who relentlessly chase immortality harbor grand aspirations in their hearts. They refuse to let a lifetime of exploration and creation vanish into nothingness with the demise of their physical bodies, yearning to leave indelible marks upon the world. From ancient times to the present, countless pioneers and thinkers have devoted decades to intensive research, building theoretical frameworks and carving out undertakings, hoping their insights and discoveries will traverse the tides of time and keep benefiting future generations. The immortality mankind pursues is never an unattainable wish for an everlasting fleshly form, but the perpetual inheritance of one’s ideas, achievements and values. When a set of theories enlightens those who come after, and a cause serves humanity for ages to come, that is the immortality ordinary mortals can reach. Human civilization advances unceasingly precisely because of generations of trailblazers who hold fast to this pursuit.

Yet those travelers fixated on eternity often overlook the scenery beside them. Racing day and night toward distant goals, their gaze perpetually fixed on the far-off finish line, they frequently miss the exhaustion, grievances and quiet hopes of their loved ones who stand by them day in and day out. Devoting all their energy to the long quest for lofty ideals, they inadvertently shift the full weight of life onto their family’s shoulders. Only when fate stirs up tempests do they wake to a sober truth: if the most cherished kin cannot stay by their side for long, even if their ideals are fully realized, the eternity they toiled to pursue will lack a warm haven.

Those who opt to live in the moment hold the tangible warmth of humanity dearer. They understand that all worldly things are transient and the future full of uncertainties. Rather than clinging to elusive immortality, they choose to cherish each passing day. They guard their beloved wholeheartedly, savour the shift of the four seasons, and arrange their lives in accordance with their true selves. In times of conflict, they treat one another with understanding, letting go of pointless quarrels and refusing to be swept away by the noisy chatter of the outside world. Of course, living in the moment is by no means wallowing in idleness or abandoning hard work. It means striving without neglecting one’s family, and chasing dreams without losing sight of life itself.

A truly enlightened life is never an either-or multiple-choice question. If one drowns entirely in the present, settling for fleeting comfort and forsaking long-term dedication, their life will lack depth and substance. If one chases immortality obsessively, fixated on leaving a lasting reputation while draining the present life and emotional bonds, endless regret will linger in the end. The optimal state lies in striking a balance between the two: keeping long-term aspirations in mind, committing to earnest labour for worthy causes to create one’s own lasting value; yet remaining clear-eyed that the ultimate purpose of all striving is to protect the precious people beside us.

Empty fame, academic theories and praise from the outside world are all external possessions. No matter how grand an ideal or far-reaching a pursuit may be, it holds meaning only when shared with others. There is no need to obsess over eternal renown, nor to idle away the present hours. Abide by the moral and legal bottom line, forge ahead steadily, and tend to your loved ones with care. Walk each stretch of the road ahead with composure, treat those around you kindly, and strive to create value.

To embrace lofty dreams while treasuring the present—this way, we live up to our lives, which is the finest answer to the riddle of existence.