Taken with a grain of sand

A thought occurred to me today, and I am certain that I am not the first to have this thought, but it was mine nonetheless. The thought was of the what lies ahead in the future of our world Earth, but most specifically, the nation that I call home - the United States of America. Just as a warning, the proceeding is not a communist rant, nor an article bashing my country. Well, now that the disclaimer is done, on with the show!

As history has exhibited for those who care to pay attention, the history of mankind has been one filled with triumph, loss, sacrifice, joy, hardships; of conquering, submission, empires building to the heavens, and those very empires falling to the dust of history. However, much of humanities' focus, as a collective populous, has for the most part, been focused on the future--forward facing toward the great accomplishments of humanity to come. However, a view into the past is a valuable view at that, and that particular view is what I wish to explore here.

When one thinks of great rulers and empires throughout time there are many names and countries that come to mind--early Greek democracies, Roman empires, the dynasty clans of China, the Shogunate of Japan, feudal monarchies of Europe, the Aztec, the Maya--all of these nations and empires have left lasting impressions upon the race of man. But, for all their greatness, they are no longer in existence (save for mentions in history books and the like). I guess the subject of this is permanence--or a lack of, for that matter.

All things come into existence, and then after a time, go out of existence. This is what Disney calls "the circle of life" in the film Lion King. This progression is a natural part of all beings and things. However, it seems to be human desire to go against their nature and fight against the impending mortality.

This fight against nature has been an, ironically enough, everlasting theme in human beings. This strife against mortality is evidenced in the ancient Greeks, portrayed by the great hero Achilles, who wanted to fight so that his name would never leave the history books. The first Emperor of China took doses of mercury daily in an attempt to ward of death. Even today we as a populous are bombarded with commercials of products meant to revitalize our health--to make us feel younger.

Now, to the point about my country. I have no doubt in my mind that the country we know as the United States of America will one day fall.

It is only natural. In fact, our whole species will probably become extinct some day. And here is the part that might get a few people: the world will go on without humans. All that will remain of everything that you know, everyone that you love, all that you hold dear and all that you hate, everything that will prove we existed as a species will one day be gone. That thought sure makes you feel insignificant huh?

However, that's the beauty of our life. From the moment we are born, there are an infinite number of paths which we can follow. We have an infinite number of choices that we can make. With the knowledge that ones actions might not live past them, the choices we make are all that we have.

Stand up and make your choice--make your life. And then be ready to have the dust and dirt carry you into oblivion.