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Epic Series
How to Live Forever
We all want to live forever, but we shouldn't. We're not supposed to. Ironically, if we could literally live every single day that time and space have left, our lives would be almost meaningless. It's the end of lives that cause them to matter.
But your life, short as it is -- and perhaps because it's short -- can have more meaning and more effect on other people than you can possibly imagine… if you chose to let it.
The end of your life is not the end. Not unless you let it be, through your actions and inactions during the time you're alive.
The end of your life -- thanks to the turbulence you leave behind you in the stream of time -- is the beginning.
But your life, short as it is -- and perhaps because it's short -- can have more meaning and more effect on other people than you can possibly imagine… if you chose to let it.
The end of your life is not the end. Not unless you let it be, through your actions and inactions during the time you're alive.
The end of your life -- thanks to the turbulence you leave behind you in the stream of time -- is the beginning.
ebook
First published September 5, 2012
About the author
Johnny B. Truant
194 books704 followersJohnny B. Truant is an author, blogger, and podcaster who, like the Ramones, was long denied induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite having a large cult following. He makes his online home at JohnnyBTruant.com and is the author of the Unicorn Western series, the Fat Vampire series, The Bialy Pimps, and a handful of other properties and growing every week.
You can connect with Johnny on Twitter at @JohnnyBTruant, and you should totally send him an email from JohnnyBTruant.com if the mood strikes you.
You can connect with Johnny on Twitter at @JohnnyBTruant, and you should totally send him an email from JohnnyBTruant.com if the mood strikes you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 30, 2018
Awesome!
Some reasons for 5 stars.
It a very brief novel. Regardless, there is no sugar coating. This book is not for those seeking a safe place.
🇺🇸
Some reasons for 5 stars.
It a very brief novel. Regardless, there is no sugar coating. This book is not for those seeking a safe place.
🇺🇸
May 14, 2021
I agree with most of what's said. Your existence leaves ripples in time and lives of others and this is your chance for (symbolic) immortality.
But there's this idea that the fact of our ephemeral existence somehow makes our lives - meaningful. And I feel this completely unverifiable statement is being fed to us by the shovels from all directions from the people that are scared shitless just the same as we all are.
The idea is, if we had unlimited time, we would waste it on crack and whores. Or social networking. Like we're not already doing that. People always did everything they could to escape the awareness of their existential situation. Now they have perfect little devices to escape to whenever the remembrance of death starts to creep in.
They call it B.O.R.E.D.O.M. Think about it. They say only boring people are bored. But boring people are trying to escape from having to think. Being bored means being scared. Having fun means not having any of these ugly thoughts and just enjoying the moment. Awareness of our future passing is stored in dark, secure place.
And even if you're rich, beautiful and successful, there's always this nagging roach in the backside of your brain that's telling you it won't last forever. No sir. You have maybe few good years in front of you. Than get ready for the downslope and there's no way to brake but with your own dick.
So you do what you can to cope. And it's not pretty. Booze, videogames, reality shows, waiting for likes of what you had for breakfast, trying to raise perfect kid, name your favorite distraction.
I have two questions regarding this whole "it's actually better to die in a few decades because otherwise your life would be meaningless" idea.
1. How do we know that? I mean, it's like me saying I wouldn't enjoy Ferrari if I had it because all the attention would make me too giddy and totally ruin my Transcendental Meditation routine.
2. Isn't it logical or at least possible that some if not all forms of behavioral addictions are actually our attempts to escape the awareness of our mortality?
Otherwise, great little book.
But there's this idea that the fact of our ephemeral existence somehow makes our lives - meaningful. And I feel this completely unverifiable statement is being fed to us by the shovels from all directions from the people that are scared shitless just the same as we all are.
The idea is, if we had unlimited time, we would waste it on crack and whores. Or social networking. Like we're not already doing that. People always did everything they could to escape the awareness of their existential situation. Now they have perfect little devices to escape to whenever the remembrance of death starts to creep in.
They call it B.O.R.E.D.O.M. Think about it. They say only boring people are bored. But boring people are trying to escape from having to think. Being bored means being scared. Having fun means not having any of these ugly thoughts and just enjoying the moment. Awareness of our future passing is stored in dark, secure place.
And even if you're rich, beautiful and successful, there's always this nagging roach in the backside of your brain that's telling you it won't last forever. No sir. You have maybe few good years in front of you. Than get ready for the downslope and there's no way to brake but with your own dick.
So you do what you can to cope. And it's not pretty. Booze, videogames, reality shows, waiting for likes of what you had for breakfast, trying to raise perfect kid, name your favorite distraction.
I have two questions regarding this whole "it's actually better to die in a few decades because otherwise your life would be meaningless" idea.
1. How do we know that? I mean, it's like me saying I wouldn't enjoy Ferrari if I had it because all the attention would make me too giddy and totally ruin my Transcendental Meditation routine.
2. Isn't it logical or at least possible that some if not all forms of behavioral addictions are actually our attempts to escape the awareness of our mortality?
Otherwise, great little book.
November 8, 2013
I'm enjoying all the free kindle books.
September 24, 2017
Read this one too
This was my favorite of the series. I really loved it. I agree with most of it. And it's quick and fun.
This was my favorite of the series. I really loved it. I agree with most of it. And it's quick and fun.
September 17, 2016
Enjoyable.
Very enjoyable read. I go back to the other posts, regularly. A little more enjoyable than Tom Robins... Robinson? I can't remember at the moment.
But yes, good read.
Very enjoyable read. I go back to the other posts, regularly. A little more enjoyable than Tom Robins... Robinson? I can't remember at the moment.
But yes, good read.
August 6, 2020
I love all of Traunt’s books. They have so much value and meaning behind them. I read this book at the right point in my life. I was going through some stuff with losing people and not finding myself and not living in the moment. This book helped me find that. We can’t sorrow over things we cannot change, we have to accept and let go. The past is in the past and we cannot change it, we can only live in the present and be the best version of ourselves for our future. I’ve read most of Traunt’s short books about life and understanding it, and I’ve been in amazement of each one. The way he writes them and the way it’s just told, gives so much inspiration! Highly recommend his books!
May 10, 2018
If you suddenly disappeared, would people notice your absence and miss you?
Yes? Great! You've done things that matter. These acts will continue to live on through upcoming generations which you have had a direct hand in influencing.
No? Really?! Well, it's time to get to work. And the good news is that you don't have to invent the cure for cancer to matter. The smallest of gestures usually make a world of difference.
Yes? Great! You've done things that matter. These acts will continue to live on through upcoming generations which you have had a direct hand in influencing.
No? Really?! Well, it's time to get to work. And the good news is that you don't have to invent the cure for cancer to matter. The smallest of gestures usually make a world of difference.
July 29, 2017
One more ending with so many questions left behind
How to live your life. We are not our body. We are our deeds and moments. So will I live my life creating beautiful moments with my dear ones or will I create a beautiful house. What do I take with me when I die. My house or my moments. Live life accordingly.
How to live your life. We are not our body. We are our deeds and moments. So will I live my life creating beautiful moments with my dear ones or will I create a beautiful house. What do I take with me when I die. My house or my moments. Live life accordingly.
September 12, 2018
Short book that moved me to tears, My father in law is 84 and I can tell soon he won't be here. I love him to pieces, He's "My" daddy. The book helped me to think about his forthcoming funeral in a positive light, he lived and loved a full life..one full of light , laughter and kindness..Oh and he was a firefighter for 25 years!
January 5, 2020
Epic series
Just remember that you do matter. It is interesting to think about the butterfly effect. How much of an impact does my life affect? There is also a difference when you live your life.
Just remember that you do matter. It is interesting to think about the butterfly effect. How much of an impact does my life affect? There is also a difference when you live your life.
July 4, 2020
A Healthy Slap
Every once in a while, you need a bit of a slap upside the head to remind you of life’s truths. You’ll get that gentle whack with this quick read - reminding you to do more, worry less and love life to the fullest. An inspirational quick read.
Every once in a while, you need a bit of a slap upside the head to remind you of life’s truths. You’ll get that gentle whack with this quick read - reminding you to do more, worry less and love life to the fullest. An inspirational quick read.
August 14, 2017
Free on Kindle. It's 20-30 minutes read. Really nice, straight forward and pleasant.
December 7, 2017
“If you've influenced people, they'll influence others, and you'll live forever in the butterfly effect.”
Truant's post that I liked the most.
Truant's post that I liked the most.
November 9, 2018
Brilliant!
This man explains Existentialism in a way that is fun and where everyone can understand! This book and the rest of the series have changed my life for the better.
This man explains Existentialism in a way that is fun and where everyone can understand! This book and the rest of the series have changed my life for the better.
November 29, 2018
“If you've influenced people, they'll influence others, and you'll live forever in the butterfly effect.”
January 20, 2020
Memorizing
I have read all four of the books and come to a full understand. A realization on life in death as it is the circle of life. Bravo.
I have read all four of the books and come to a full understand. A realization on life in death as it is the circle of life. Bravo.
January 2, 2021
Good Fuel
I happened on this title in a search to activate my brain and read more. It has done what I thought it would do. It has helped fuel my quest to do more.
I happened on this title in a search to activate my brain and read more. It has done what I thought it would do. It has helped fuel my quest to do more.
June 23, 2022
easy read
Great book the last few pages really drove it home. One very hood takeaway that I will keep with me hopefully for a life time.
Great book the last few pages really drove it home. One very hood takeaway that I will keep with me hopefully for a life time.
November 1, 2016
Hells YES. Motivation at its finest.
July 20, 2020
This had a much more optimistic view point than anything else I have experienced with Truant’s writing before. I found this particular piece to be a nice wrap to this mini series in that it encompasses the overall balance in the idea that you don’t matter on a cosmic scale but you do matter now, right this instance, if you choose to. It goes into personal care for you and others and how being deemed “important” is just a matter of perspective. It was, again, very well written, Truant has a way of talking to you personally through his style and I always enjoy that about him the most. The ideology was much more in line with my own beliefs of existence and importance. Truant is an interesting author, but I think anyway who grew up with these now more common mindsets of existence can see his value in writing beyond style alone.
December 31, 2016
Four stars again. Not everyone can be in the military. Not every military is like the US. What if you were a particularly gentle, calming and reassuring insurance agent who always sorted out people's toughest problems? Meerta is the name of the lady on the end of the phone who sorted me out of a dire situation in Vietnam. I don't know her surname or anything else about her, and I worked a job to have enough money to pay for her services, which she supplied because that was the job she worked to earn money, etc., etc., etc.
Also I teach in a primary school, where I do feel that I have a positive influence on my kids, but: 1) I don't feel like my primary teachers had any major influence on my life; and 2) He already said he doesn't want his kid to conform in the last essay, and he took him out of mainstream schooling - so how does that gel with what he's suggesting I do in this book.
So I feel like it contradicts itself too much. I actually might take another star off, because I'm feeling grumpy and in the mood to enact some change here.
...
There, I did it. Have a butterfly.
Also I teach in a primary school, where I do feel that I have a positive influence on my kids, but: 1) I don't feel like my primary teachers had any major influence on my life; and 2) He already said he doesn't want his kid to conform in the last essay, and he took him out of mainstream schooling - so how does that gel with what he's suggesting I do in this book.
So I feel like it contradicts itself too much. I actually might take another star off, because I'm feeling grumpy and in the mood to enact some change here.
...
There, I did it. Have a butterfly.
May 27, 2016
While I still think the first in this series is my favorite, this one holds a special meaning for me, because I have its message tattooed on my body in a coded song lyric. That lyric is:
"Oh how wrong we were to think that immortality meant never dying."
That's the purpose here. We're all going to die. Your name and your actions won't live forever either. But the ripple effect of your actions, your influence on others and their influences on others, etc. make you immortal.
So be inspiring and live a full life. I can get behind this.
"Oh how wrong we were to think that immortality meant never dying."
That's the purpose here. We're all going to die. Your name and your actions won't live forever either. But the ripple effect of your actions, your influence on others and their influences on others, etc. make you immortal.
So be inspiring and live a full life. I can get behind this.
February 5, 2017
Okay, last one! This piece emphasized what legacy you'll leave behind when you die. Since we all WILL die (as discussed in essay #1), how will you be remembered? What will you accomplish that will live on? And it's not just concrete things like building a business, it's more about impact on the people and world around you. I really liked this piece. Throughout the whole thing, I was reminded of my grandma who passed away a few months ago. It was actually quite therapeutic to read. Same as the others, definitely worth the quick read!
February 9, 2017
Quite enjoyed this one. Much better than the first one.
December 9, 2015
Good ...well written..... thought-provoking!!!!!!!
Okay so I ordered these for the titles... I am so glad I did!!!! They were full of fun, and sometimes funny, things and revelations that felt somehow familiar and left me hoping this perspective is reality....hope you enjoy as much h as I did
Okay so I ordered these for the titles... I am so glad I did!!!! They were full of fun, and sometimes funny, things and revelations that felt somehow familiar and left me hoping this perspective is reality....hope you enjoy as much h as I did
December 21, 2015
Loved this book just like all the others
I would definitely recommend this series to someone. This whole series made me think about my life and what I'm doing with it. This book in particular made me think about death and funerals. Like how I would want to be cremated and have my " funeral" somewhere fun like a club or something.
I would definitely recommend this series to someone. This whole series made me think about my life and what I'm doing with it. This book in particular made me think about death and funerals. Like how I would want to be cremated and have my " funeral" somewhere fun like a club or something.
February 2, 2015
Amazing
Throughout his series of blogs, Truant has led us on a roller coaster ride of profundity and profanity...such is real life. In this blog he spells out how, but more importantly why we should live large and loud. Make some turbulence.
Throughout his series of blogs, Truant has led us on a roller coaster ride of profundity and profanity...such is real life. In this blog he spells out how, but more importantly why we should live large and loud. Make some turbulence.
Read
March 21, 2015 5 stars
If you do nothing, you are nothing. If someone could pluck you from existence and nothing would change, you've failed.
The only downside to this book was that is was the last in the series.
If you do nothing, you are nothing. If someone could pluck you from existence and nothing would change, you've failed.
The only downside to this book was that is was the last in the series.
January 13, 2016
Love the whole series!
This epic series really put a lot of my own thougt into an organized pattern of words along with helping me understand my own thoughts. Fucking love the series!!! Hope you keep writing them
This epic series really put a lot of my own thougt into an organized pattern of words along with helping me understand my own thoughts. Fucking love the series!!! Hope you keep writing them
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews