The idea for this reflection came from someone much wiser, astute and perceptive.
They pointed out that life is a bit like a bowl of ice cream. Chocolate with chocolate chips would be my preference.
With a bowl of ice cream, you have two choices.
First, you can just look at it and let it dissolve into a slithery, gooey mess. And sadly there are those who consciously or subconsciously make this choice. Their reason might be that it all just ends anyway. We’re only here for a little while, the ice cream only lasts a while, so we might as well just let it melt away; or as one clever person said ‘Lie down, pull the blankets over our head and wait for the inevitable end.’
Now it is indisputable that it all does end. Nothing except heaven is forever, but the other thing you can do with a bowl of ice cream is ravish it. You pick out a spoon from the cutlery draw, maybe pour a special liquid over the top of the ice cream and begin. Try to savour it bit by bit. Make the experience pleasurable and long-lasting.
I can arrive at no other conclusion than this is what we are supposed to do with ice cream and this is most certainly what we are supposed to do with our lives.
That we do have a finite period of time but that should also be the imperative for making the most of our life here on earth.
While he was accused of being a glutton, a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners, The Master clearly danced and laughed and made sure that every last bit of life’s ice cream was relished. And if it’s good enough for Him …