Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. That phrase comes from the funeral service in the Book of Common Prayer and draws from biblical passages like Genesis 3:19, Genesis 18:27, Job 30:19, and Ecclesiastes 3:20. These verses remind us that we begin and end as dust. Science, in turn, tells us what makes up the human body: about 99% of our mass consists of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. The remaining 1% comprises elements like potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium, with trace elements adding up to less than 10 grams. These elements form the building blocks of life, yet they’re simply that — elements. So, what is it that people think survives death?
There’s much talk of the soul, but what is the soul? The dictionary defines it as "the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal." Immaterial. That’s a fascinating word. We know what the material body is made of, as science has laid it out for us. But how do we describe this immaterial part? What evidence do we have of its existence?
It’s undeniable that there’s a force animating us, just as there’s a force driving the universe itself. We can’t see this force; we only see its effects in the constant change around us. Think of the cosmic bombardment of particles we are utterly unaware of except through the lens of experimental physics. These forces, though unseen, are real. Similarly, I can go along with the idea of an immaterial force animating human life. But the stories religions and belief systems spin about what happens to that force after death? They don’t hold water for me. They’re just stories designed to regulate behavior, yet history shows us they’ve failed spectacularly in fostering peace or respect for this so-called “immortal” element we claim to have. We continue to harm, kill, and mistreat each other as though life holds no sanctity at all.
And yet, there’s something undeniably miraculous about existence. Those basic elements come together to form a human being capable of so much: we can love, be kind, experience joy, marvel at the beauty around us, and find peace within. These are the aspects of humanity worth focusing on. But do we? Not often. Instead, we’re caught in a ceaseless cycle of wanting to outdo one another, striving to prove our worth by accumulating things we can’t take with us when we die. Why? Perhaps because we’ve forgotten something essential: we are born, we live, and we die. No exceptions. Each of us is unique, and no one can be a better “me” than I can. Why then do we struggle so hard to be something we’re not?
This denial of our unique nature — our refusal to accept who and what we are — creates so many problems. We overlook the miracle of simply being human. Instead of embracing life with gratitude, we chase illusions of superiority, possessions, and fleeting achievements. What if we shifted our perspective? What if we chose to live with thankfulness for the incredible gift we’ve been given, however brief it may be?
Consider this: the median life expectancy worldwide is 73.3 years. That’s about 26,772 days. Not much time at all. How much of that time do we spend fully conscious of the miracle of being alive? How often do we pause to appreciate the wonder of existence? For me, it’s a wake-up call. I don’t want to squander the days I have left chasing things that don’t matter in the end. Instead, I want to focus on the things that truly make life worth living: love, kindness, joy, and the profound peace that comes from simply being present.
This isn’t about lofty ideals or unattainable goals. It’s about realizing that life itself is a miracle. It’s about letting go of the need to compete or compare and instead embracing the uniqueness of our own existence. We’re all subject to the same three laws: we’re born, we live, and one day, we’ll die. But in between, we have the chance to experience life in all its richness and beauty. That’s not something to take lightly.
So, here’s my resolution: to live with awareness, gratitude, and joy. To see the immaterial force within me not as something mysterious or unknowable, but as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life. To cherish this gift of existence and make the most of the fleeting time I have. It’s time to wake up, to stop chasing and start appreciating. After all, life isn’t about how much we can accumulate or how far ahead we can get. It’s about the moments we truly live. And those moments are far more abundant when we focus on the miracle of being alive.
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