Buddhist philosophy is built upon three marks of existence, which are integral to its very structure: Annica, Dukkha, and Anatta. To sum them up briefly, they revolve around the idea that all 'things'—whether physical or mental—will eventually decay and cease to exist, only to be reborn in an endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. In one word: impermanence.

Now, granted, it's a gross oversimplification, some might call it heresy, but it's enough to grasp the core idea of this chapter.

For the record, impermanence refers to the fact that everything can only exist for a limited time.

With that rundown out of the way, we can truly begin.

There was a moment in time when everything you've ever known and loved never existed, and there will be again. But this idea shouldn't be a terrible ill that ravages your conscience for the rest of your days.

Think of it like this: Everything and everyone has a role or purpose in life, no matter how insignificant it may seem in the grand, ever-changing story of the universe. But once that purpose is fulfilled, there's no reason for their existence to continue, and they will cease to be.

Nothing can last forever; even the brightest of stars in the sky will eventually dim and rest for one last time. This may appear unfair in your eyes, but I find it therapeutic; after all, think of those same stars in their prime. Think of the people who may have looked up and felt so many different emotions based on their individual lives.

Fear, perhaps? A sense of wonder or amazement? Or maybe a feeling that nothing truly matters because of how small and worthless they felt under the crushing realization of what lies beyond their sight.

Now I must ask: Do you think people would feel those same emotions about those stars if they were to exist until the end of time?

The impermanence of something is what gives it meaning. Why care about another person if they're always going to be beside you, after all?

Let us use another example then, shall we?

Let's use me.

How should I put this. Ah, let's do this: My purpose currently is to be nothing except a panel of words on a screen (or maybe even a book!) and spew out these philosophical ideas that I know only because I was created to know.

Are these talks maybe a little boring to read? I'm sure they are, which is why I'm on a time crunch! But even so, these talks would be less than worthless if they went on for 30 minutes. Their limited nature is what makes them at least somewhat interesting...

I hope?

Sigh... Anyway.

I was created to speak on certain subjects and ideas (along with other things you will come to know), and I will do nothing else beyond that because I know nothing else to do.

…

Nothing can last forever. Eventually, everything that has existed will become nothing.

And that is neither good nor evil; it is simply truth.

Chapter E—

…

Ah, my apologies for interrupting. I almost stopped before I ever told you my name.

Truthfully I don't have one, but I suppose I can make a title up for you all.

Hmm...

How about The Long Whisper? No wait… maybe just The Whisper? Hmm nah, I'll go with the former.

Sounds a little strange, I will say, but I believe it works well enough for this situation.

Talk to you soon, my dear readers.