Bill's Topics

I get blown away every time I think about these numbers:

The total age of the planet earth is about five billion years old (using current nuclear aging techniques).  The human species has existed for about 4 million years.  That means that the human species has only been in existance for .08% (percent) of the total age of the planet Earth.

It is currently estimated that the total number of humans to have ever lived on this planet is 107 billion (107,000,000,000) human beings.  That means there have been an average of only 21 people on the earth for each year that the earth has been in existence.  This is such a small number, over such a huge amount of time, it's incomprehensible just how insignificant each of us is!

Another number that makes my mind swim....

Each of us live an average of 77 years.  If a single generation lasts for 25 years, there are an average of 3 generations alive on the planet during our lifetime.  That means that there have been a total of 156,000 generations of human beings on this planet.  If you had 156,000 dollars in your pocket, would you miss one of those dollars if you misplaced it?  I doubt it - and that is an ENTIRE generation, much more than just a single person!

And it gets even better....

Again, if each of us lives an average of 77 years, and considering the age of the planet (5 billion years), we each live only .00000154% the age of our planet.  Our lives aren't even a moment when compared to the age of this planet.

So, are you beginning to feel more humble?  You should be!

Is this depressing?  Not to me!  Instead, these numbers give me a feeling of freedom.  By realizing just how insignificant I am, I feel more like living today in its fullest and I no longer worry about meaningless problems and events.  I am at peace with these numbers, as you should be.

More to come....