Reflections on the book "Four Thousand Weeks : Time Management for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman.
Is your time really finite?
Welcome ! I’m Sabrina E.Bouker, a computer scientist with a focus on AI Literacy, Education, and mum of two small children. Thank you for being here!
#This Week's topic : Spirituality , Book Club
Jasmines* Greetings to my dear readers and curious souls!
One idea in Oliver Burkeman’s excellent book, Four Thousand Weeks, struck me: that even enjoying the present moment is extremely difficult. His book, in summary, argues that we live around four thousand weeks on average if we are to live to our eighties. I’m over forty, which means I currently have less than two thousand weeks left. Yay! .
Curiously, I was experiencing this same feeling while reading the book (that I can’t recommend enough). In the garden, a beautiful May morning in sunny Britain. My son was playing, giggling with his cars’ track, a fresh morning breeze playing a symphony with my hair; you would feel beauty and life all around, yet a behind-the-scenes thought is impeaching me from fully enjoying the moment.
My anchored fear of missing out on this morning, which would ultimately pass by in a few hours, was because of my subconscious realisation of my “finite time on this earth,” as stated by the author. My awareness of my “immortality” is preventing me from enjoying the moment. A deep fear of missing this moment in the near future prevents me from feeling peaceful.
A few minutes earlier , my sister was agonising over the phone about her husband's imminent departure to work. He works one thousand km south of Algiers, in beautiful Taghit; he only comes home ten days in each two months. He arrived yesterday, but she is already counting the days left. Living in a future yet to arrive, not able to enjoy the few precious days of the present.
What can we do about it? Our time is limited; we are human beings, and we yearn for connections, for love, and for life. What if we could live forever? That would resolve all our anxieties. Would we enjoy the moment finally? Let’s face it, the idea of eternity is sexy and extremely addictive because it’s linked to our instinct of survival.
More than at any other time in history, the current AI revolution is adding a layer of unprecedented speed to our lives. Things are changing constantly around us, without any clear vision on how, as parents, we can control their outcome. Firstly on us, but, more importantly, on our children. What can we do about it?
In any chaotic moment, I always lean on my spirituality; it always keeps me grounded to my human values and connected to what matters the most. So, while in deep reflection, one Quran verse comes to my mind:
“But what benefits people remains on the earth. ” (Raad 17)
(17) وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ ” الرعد
This idea is reinforced through the Quran in many verses :
“As for those who believe and do good, We will admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there forever”. Al-nissa -57
(57)وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۖ” - ٱلنِّسَاء”
So you will live forever in gardens under which rivers flow, as long as you believe and do good to humanity, benefiting the people around you. What a freeing perspective to believe that we have the possibility for an infinite life, after all!
I’m confident that ‘Four Thousand Weeks’ will remain on earth for eternity; what a beautiful legacy. The book is a real treasure that will change your perspective on time management and life in general.
I felt better. I’m back into the moment. I looked at my son playing, feeling truly present for him. As long as I can leave a legacy that would benefit people , I will be eternal , so let’s enjoy the moment…
How about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Where do you find strength to keep going in your life when things seem chaotic? How do you face the fact of “mortality” while living in such times?
Art to Enhance Creativity,
This week's writing music: I’m completely obsessed with this version of the famous song “Alf leila and leila” (One thousand nights and a night) from the Arabic singer diva Oum Kalthoum. This version is interpreted beautifully by opera singer Mai Farouk.
Sabrina xx
* Jasmines: I grew up in a small North African town known as the city of roses, where we used to spread jasmines on sofas so that it would have a magical fragrance all day. I was not sure what this greeting would convey to you, my readers, so I asked ChatGPT, and here's what he thought about it:
“Overall, this creates an impression of a sophisticated, inviting message aimed at an audience who appreciates beauty, warmth, and intellectual exploration. The use of jasmine imagery adds a sensory dimension, enhancing the overall appeal and allure of the greeting.”