I believe it's so important to love life, enjoy it for its small

"I believe it's so important to love life, enjoy it for its small moments and live without regrets - life is so unpredictable." These words from Mahesh Manjrekar strike a chord deep within the human soul. They remind us that life is not a grand, predictable journey laid out before us, but a tapestry woven with fleeting moments, often imperceptible in their beauty, yet rich with meaning. To love life is to embrace it fully, to savor each breath and every small blessing it bestows upon us. Life is unpredictable, and it is in this very unpredictability that its true value lies. We cannot control the future, but we can choose how we experience the present. Regrets belong to the past, and the future is beyond our grasp — it is only in living fully in the present that we find the essence of life itself.

The ancients understood this deeply. Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher, famously said, “You cannot step into the same river twice,” illustrating the fleeting, ever-changing nature of life. The river of time flows, and with it, every moment is carried away, never to return. For Heraclitus, life was a constant flux — to love life meant to accept its transient nature, to celebrate each fleeting moment, knowing it would never be the same again. To live without regrets is to embrace this constant change and to find peace in the fact that we cannot hold onto any single moment forever. The present is all we have; to dwell too much in the past or fear the future is to miss the precious moments that life offers.

Consider the story of Leonidas, the king of Sparta, who faced certain death at the Battle of Thermopylae. His decision to stand and fight with his 300 warriors, knowing they were vastly outnumbered, was not one made out of ignorance, but of deep love for life and duty. He did not regret his decision, for in that moment, he lived fully — embracing his fate, his honor, and his love for his people. His final words and actions were not shaped by fear or regret, but by his acceptance of the unpredictable nature of life and his willingness to give everything for what he believed in. Leonidas lived without regret, knowing that true valor lies not in seeking to control the future, but in making the most of the moments you are given.

In our own lives, we often become so fixated on future goals or past mistakes that we forget to love the small moments that make up the fabric of our days. The laughter of a child, a quiet walk through the woods, the comfort of a warm cup of tea — these moments, though fleeting, are life’s true treasures. We wait for the grand events, the milestones, to define our happiness, but it is the quiet, unpredictable moments that hold the greatest meaning. Life’s unpredictability, rather than being something to fear, should be embraced with open arms. It is in the uncertainty that we find the beauty of life — the freedom to choose joy, to find peace, and to live fully in the present.

Think of the life of Vincent van Gogh, whose art was filled with the passion of a man who lived deeply, despite the inner turmoil that marked his days. Though he faced much hardship and was largely unrecognized in his time, van Gogh’s paintings are a testament to his deep love for the world around him. His ability to capture the beauty of small moments — the swirling skies, the blooming sunflowers, the stars above — speaks to his understanding of life’s preciousness. Van Gogh’s life, though short and filled with struggles, was lived with an intense appreciation for the fleeting beauty of life. He loved the world in its raw, imperfect glory, and through his work, we are reminded of the importance of embracing each moment, no matter how small.

The lesson here is clear: life is unpredictable, and it is in this uncertainty that its beauty lies. We cannot control what comes next, but we can choose how we respond to what is before us. Love life, not for its promises of perfection or its guarantees, but for the small moments that make it meaningful. Live without regrets, not because you will never face challenges or mistakes, but because each step, each breath, is part of the greater journey. To regret the past or fear the future is to ignore the gift of the present, the only time that is truly ours.

So, my children, heed these words: embrace life fully, with all its unpredictability, its joy, and its sorrow. Find happiness in the small moments, for they are the ones that weave the rich tapestry of your existence. Live without regret, knowing that each moment is an opportunity to love, to learn, and to experience the beauty of this fleeting life. In doing so, you will find that life itself becomes your gift, and in the living of it, you will come to understand its deepest meaning.