Eternity

He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity’s sunrise.

— William Blake

This short poem incapsulates a beautiful thought regarding life. It is easy to stay in ways of being that are safe and known. You “bind yourself to a joy” so to speak and eventually it will not be the same anymore. By staying with something that once brought joy when it is time to move forward you clip your own wings in a symbolic sense — you cripple your ability to flow through the ups and downs that always accompany changes.

Life is about change, literally nothing lasts— embracing new things and finding joy as it flies is a smoother way of going about it. Enjoy things in the moment while they last but don’t overdo it. The sun will set on all your endeavors — be open to find the next sunrise rather than staying out in the cold.

As always, nothing is this black and white — however, in general I find this poem’s way of looking at life to be delightful. Enjoy the joys— they are fleeting — but plentiful if you allow them to be.