This afternoon, I noticed an ant making its way up my left leg. My first thought was to brush it off, but I paused. The ant, in its boldness, deserved some recognition - climbing the towering slopes of a giant.
Now, think of us as ants. If we view time as a single, infinite line, and our lives are merely two points connected on that line, the length becomes almost trivial in the grand scheme. We often try to give meaning to our existence through philosophies, beliefs, or virtues. But in the end, as individuals, our significance fades.
The best we can do is to collectively nudge and curve the line toward a greater purpose - like humanity’s progress towards betterment. Take, for instance, volunteering to teach local students math or biology. While it might seem like I’m just giving a bit of my time and knowledge, for the students, it’s a compounding interest - a small contribution that grows into a deeper understanding and a broader view of the world. As we get older, I believe there’s a quiet responsibility to set aside our personal pursuits and to invest in the next generation.