We Can Learn From Tolstoy

"Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly." ~ Leo Tolstoy

"Perhaps it's because I appreciate all I have so much that I don't worry about what I haven't got." ~ Leo Tolstoy

"Many people have ideas on how others should change; few people have ideas on how they should change." ~ Leo Tolstoy

One of my favorite authors is Leo Tolstoy.

In, The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Tolstoy explores the deep essence of mortality and human condition.

The main character Ivan lives a life of superficial success and finds himself struggling against a facade of societal expectations and the search for an authentic existence. Like all of us, this main character goes through a transformation within his life for good or for bad.

What is the author trying to get across?

The importance of clear and concise human connections and the acceptance that all of us will face mortality and we all tend to ignore life's deeper meanings and close connections until we face death. For the majority of people when facing mortality due to illness, we tend to rediscover or realize life's authenticity, especially in our darkest moments, we look for redemption and enlightenment.

When we understand and know that mortality is nearby, societal wealth and success is not the importance, but our individual introspection and acceptance of the inevitable and the deep self-compassion and compassion toward others. It's almost as if it's a sublime moment in one's lifetime that we have a clear conscious appreciation of all those meaningful relationships that give us deep meaning and life.

As part of the human condition, we never want to leave this life unfulfilled.

We all seek authentic human connections, self-understanding with moral and spiritual truth.