You Are as Free as It Passes...

Thoughts on a Rainy Day

Today, the sky is heavy with clouds, and it’s been raining almost nonstop for two days now. On days like these, I often find myself standing by the window, gazing out at the rain. I’m lucky to have a view of the Greek islands and the sea. I watch as the rain falls gently, disrupting the calm surface of the water. Whenever the weather turns dark and damp, I’m reminded of a poem by Orhan Veli:

“How the rain keeps falling, how the people keep passing! Always wet streets, always tired faces? There’s something inside me, nameless.”

Reflections on Transience

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about something I can’t quite put into words, and I’d like to share it with you. In the flow of life, there are moments when we all want to pause, take a deep breath, and just stop for a while. We’ve all probably wondered, “What’s the point of all this rushing, all this effort? What will remain in the end?” But perhaps we haven’t dwelled on it too much. Today, I want to talk about this very topic: Transience.

The Nature of Transience

Transience is something we all experience at some point in our lives, but sometimes we struggle to make sense of it or unconsciously ignore it. Realizing the fleeting nature of life and the present moment can be bittersweet—it brings a touch of sadness, but it can also be a unique source of motivation.

Think about it: You’re on vacation, and you run into a friend you haven’t seen in years but have missed dearly. Nights filled with delightful conversations, delicious meals shared, endless fun that seems like it will never end... It’s a moment of joy and happiness you haven’t felt in a long time! But when the vacation ends, and that moment and its essence fade away, the happiness you were gifted by chance also disappears. Or think about the sweet, tiny baby feet of your child that once smelled so pure—now transformed into size 42 feet with their own distinct scent. It’s heartwarming, yet also a little sad...

So much in life changes—sometimes it’s joyful, sometimes funny, but it can also be a troubling process. And as much as we try to avoid it, these experiences can sometimes emerge as painful losses. What makes these emotions and memories both precious and bearable is transience.

Marcus Aurelius and Transience

Recently, while reading a book by Irvin D. Yalom, I came across a quote from Marcus Aurelius that felt like a moment of enlightenment:

“Our lives are fleeting; the one who remembers is no different from the one who is remembered. All is ephemeral—both the memories and their objects. The days when you will have forgotten everything are near, and the days when you will be forgotten are even closer. Know that soon you will be nowhere and no one.”

When I read these words over and over, I began to think more peacefully about the transience of my fading youth, the relationships that have ended, and the memories slowly fading in my mind. The relationships I’ve ended or that others have ended, the things that once felt good and beautiful—maybe they only felt that way to me... These anxieties lessen under the weight of these words, and I feel more at ease.

The Liberating Side of Transience

Though these words might seem chilling at first, upon reflection, I’m sure they have a liberating quality. And I hope they can liberate you too, or at least open a small window of light on the subject. Whatever you’re striving for these days or whatever has been troubling you lately, I hope you can pause and take a breath.

I particularly want to point out the more negative, challenging emotions because many of us, especially in our late twenties, are grappling with life, trying to overcome our losses and anxieties. Even with supportive people around us, we’re alone with our thoughts in our minds. We don’t notice how quickly life flows. But if we can step back and look at our lives from a distance, we can see more clearly the impact of transience on us as its subjects.

Transience in Poetry

I think Cahit Sıtkı is one of those who managed to capture this. In his famous poem, he says:

“Age thirty-five! Halfway through life’s journey. Like Dante, we’re in the middle of our lives. The vigor of our youth, begging and pleading—it’s all in vain now. Life moves on, indifferent to our tears.”

To me, this poem doesn’t just speak of aging but also highlights the transience of every stage of life in the most striking way. It’s one of those works that demands deep reflection.

I ask myself this question: Amid all my superficial desires, what is truly valuable to me? And how does knowing its transience make it more special? So, let’s not shy away from reminding ourselves of the days when we’ll be “nowhere and no one.” No matter how real or urgent our goals may seem today, they are equally transient. That’s why let’s not miss the value and beauty of the present moment.

Final Words

May we all cherish the memories of those we hold dear and feel grateful for what we have.

Until the next chapter, stay with love and savor the moment.