The Remaining Time You Have on Earth, Visualized
By: Morris T
Tags: Time, Thoughts, Self Love, Life Journey, Self-awareness

THOUGHTS

The Remaining Time You Have on Earth, Visualized

Time has different meanings for different individuals. Image by Icons8_team from Pixabay

Our time on Earth is finite and this is something many of us forget amid the bustle of modern living.

Imagine living to the age of 60. Is it short or long? Enough or more will be better? If you ask 10 people, you probably will get 10 different answers.

Just as important, if not more, how you spend your time defines the experience in hindsight.

If you spend most of your time doing things of little purpose, it may leave you feeling empty and wasted. However, a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment, with the belief of making each day count, will likely leave one smiling with no regrets when eternal rest beckons.

They say a picture paints a thousand words and today I shall put the time we have on diagrams, in an attempt to bring context to this mysterious dimension. Perhaps then we will really see time for what it is, a precious commodity.

Baseline

Using the latest data available (sources cited at the end), we will follow the lives of 4 people.

Andy lives to the age of 32, with 90% of the global population still alive.

Betty lives to the age of 62, with 80% of the global population still alive.

Caden lives to the age of 77, with 50% of the global population still alive.

Daisy lives to the age of 85, with 30% of the global population still alive.

In this story of ours, people celebrate adulthood at 21, their first baby at 30, a mid-career phase at 40, and retirement at 65.

Now let us travel to the start.

The Beginning

Ah, the miracle of birth.

Diagram by author.

Andy has 32 green squares which represent 32 years of life.

Diagram by author.

Betty has 62 green squares which represent 62 years of life.

Diagram by author.

Caden has 77 green squares which represent 77 years of life.

Diagram by author.

Daisy has 85 green squares which represent 85 years of life.

Adulthood

At the age of 21, one can feel the vigor of youth, and truly, the world is one's oyster. So many opportunities and with so much time on hand. So much?

Diagram by author.

Unknown to Andy, he has lived through 62% of his life. Unfortunately, time is not much of an abundance for him. He has 12 years left.

Diagram by author.

Betty has lived through 32% of her life, with 42 more years to go. She hopes to be a finance director one day.

Diagram by author.

Caden has lived through 25% of his life, with 57 more years to go. He is clueless about life.

Diagram by author.

Daisy has lived through 23% of her life and dreams of the day she gets married. She has 65 more years for her journey on Earth.

Firstborn

I remember when my firstborn came. Sparkling and endearing eyes gave me all the strength and purpose I ever needed in life. Remembering this brings a smile to me now as I write.

I gave little thought as to the far future. You know, the one where grandchildren come in. Doing this article made me ponder about it.

Diagram by author.

Tragic times await for Andy’s family as he has a maximum of 3 years left with his newborn, depending on the dates of birth and death.

With less than 10% of his life left, he is fighting against time. His child will be 3 when he passes on, probably too young to remember him.

Diagram by author.

Betty has lived through 46% of her life. Her child will be 23 when she passes on. It is likely she will not see her grandchild.

Diagram by author.

Caden is proud to be a Dad. He has lived through 37% of his life and his child will be 38 when he passes on. Perhaps he will have a grandchild or two?

Diagram by author.

Daisy has 54% of her life left for her to journey together with her child on Earth. She aspires to be the best mother in the world. Many memories await to be made.

Mid-career aspirations

At the age of 40, one has experienced much of life. With the maturity and wisdom, a climb up the corporate ladder awaits those who pursue it.

Diagram by author.

Andy did not survive. He passed away at the age of 32, earlier than 90% of the global population.

This will be the last entry for Andy.

Diagram by author.

Betty is excited to be promoted to senior manager. All her hard work in the last 62% of her life paid off.

However, like many at the age of 40, death seems so far, so remote to her.

It will be good for her to note that only 38% of her life remains. 23 more years. I will not say it is short but it is definitely finite and approaching.

Diagram by author.

Caden joins a new company. He receives a 10% salary increment and is pleased. He has half his life ahead!

Diagram by author.

Daisy prefers fewer responsibilities but her company thinks highly of her. She agrees to a promotion but specifically states that she needs her family time. She has lived through 45% of her life.

Retirement

I believe everyone yearns for the moment when they can sit back, enjoy the breeze, and watch the world go by. After all, 65 years of studying and working is not an easy feat.

Diagram by author.

Betty did not live to see the day of retirement. Her family inherited the fruits of her labor when she passed away at 62, earlier than 80% of the global population.

Back in the day, her best friend told her that life is not all about work. She remembered that on the hospital bed and cried. It was a rough passing. She was not ready to go.

Diagram by author.

Caden is thrilled at the idea of endless travels. No more work and all is play! He has 13 years left to enjoy this phase of life. Do you think he has much time left? Is there a better way to spend this time?

When he passes away at the age of 77, 50% of the global population will still be alive.

Diagram by author.

Daisy is happy that the time has come for her to retire. She wants to spend all her time with her grandchildren. The little ones love to stick around her as she always gives them candies in secret. Her firstborn tells her not to but of course, Daisy ignores it.

When she passes away at 85, 30% of the global population will still be alive.

Back to our present

Thank you for taking this journey with me.

We have seen the lives of four individuals. Each with their hopes, dreams, and regrets.

Not unlike us.

I remind myself from time to time of our finite existence on Earth. While it is good to make plans for the future, and I do that myself too, we must also be mindful that we do not know how long we will live. It is wise to view each day as a blessing and hence must be spent in the best of ways.

After all, tomorrow has yet to come and yesterday is over.

I do not know when I will close my eyes for the last time. But I know when the time comes, I want to have no regrets. I have lived my life the best that I can. I reaffirm this promise to myself now as I write this article.

It is with their stories that I sincerely hope you find a meaningful takeaway from this article.

All the best.

Source:

Some figures are rounded or simplified to allow easier understanding.

Number of people left alive by age X — WHO

First child age of parent

Mid-career age

Average retirement age