“I don’t know what I’ve been doing with my life all these years,” says Kanji Watanabe in “Ikiru” after learning he has cancer. It’s as if he was suddenly awakened from a deep sleep by the shock of his diagnosis. Lost in his thoughts, Watanabe goes to a bar and strikes up a conversation. The bartender tells him, “It’s our human duty to enjoy life… Let us go reclaim the life you have wasted.” Watanabe then takes control of his remaining days, making it his duty to bring change to his community.
“Ikiru” is available to stream on Kanopy, a great resource for accessing movies, shows, and documentaries. Watching it might just leave you reflecting on your own life, as it did for me.
Ever since watching “Ikiru,” I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Is it really my duty to enjoy life? How am I supposed to enjoy it anyway? Don’t I have a duty to others? After years of contemplating, I accepted it. If it’s indeed my duty to enjoy life, then that’s exactly what I plan to do. I am going to enjoy it so much that I hope to inspire others.
Below is my list for a well-lived season:
I am reserving museum passes and taking day trips to big cities like Philadelphia and New York. A few days ago, I visited the National Constitution Center. Soon, I will be heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I am also being more intentional about cultivating my social connections. Not only am I reading more, but I have also started reading with a partner. We meet to discuss each book. Our first was “Tom Lake,” followed by “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.” At the moment, we are reading “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women.” If you are looking to connect with others, consider joining one of the library’s book groups.
Most importantly, I look ahead at our calendar of events and register for activities that take place during my days off. Many of our events fill up quickly but since I am planning ahead, I am able to register for the events I want. One strategy I use is searching only for events scheduled on the days I am available. That saves me time.
Sometimes life can feel meaningless. Sometimes it feels like too much work for what it is worth. But that does not change how good I feel walking through the new fiction book collections on the first floor. In that moment, I know it is all worth it!
It is true: I did not ask for life. No one asked me which time period I wanted to be born into, or which family or culture. Life was given to me without instructions. Yet, I am here. And it is my duty to enjoy it as best I can, for as long as I can.
Think of life as if it were college, and the syllabi for each class asked you to create a plan for how you will enjoy your time here. And think of Princeton Public Library as your campus: a place where you gather inspiration, connect with others, and find the resources to make your time meaningful.
I will leave you with a poem that reminds me exactly why it is worth it.
“Barter”
by Sara Teasdale
Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children’s faces looking up
Holding wonder like a cup.
Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like a curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit’s still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.
Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.