For a variety of reasons or causes, people detach from the world and life. The list of reasons for making the choice is long: depression, ambition, narcissism, trauma, discouragement, greed, loneliness, addiction, too much social media time and many more. They have chosen to leave the world and all that it offers.

Detaching from the world, from life and from living, means much is left behind. Detachment can come in subtle or significant ways. Perhaps it is simply not noticing any more the beauty of a sunrise, someone’s touch, sounds of nature, hearing your name called out, a genuine hug.

Lucinda Willaims’ evocative song, Sweet Old World, reminds us:  “Look at what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world,” and continues with several wonderful reminders of beautiful moments in life. The song became a hit in 1992 when it was released, and she re-released it in 2017. In interviews, she has indicated that the inspiration came from the suicide of someone close to her; suicide, the ultimate choice “to leave this world, this sweet old world.” Sadly, people opt to “leave,” sometimes without even realizing it.

The famous writing, Desiderata, concludes, “With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”  

Songwriter and musician Harry Nilson’s song, The Most Beautiful World in the World, has been one of my favorites since the first time I heard it more than 50 years ago. The chorus recites,

“You’re a scary old place out there, world
But I couldn’t be happy without you
And I swear all my thoughts are about you
The most beautiful world in the world.”

This sweet old world, this beautiful world, the most beautiful world in the world…don’t be too quick to leave it, even for a moment.