Spam... with deep thoughts

We all get it. SPAM seems to be invading all of our INBOX's these days. Even with the best spam blocker out there, some will get through. I usually just delete them out. It's like a ritual of reading email anymore. You go into read your email, and as you are reading through, you will come upon a spam message, and almost like a reflex, just delete it without thinking. It would seem that spam has replaced those pesky phone calls from salesmen in the evenings.

But today, I read this one that came into my Inbox.

Hi Bill

I hope you don't mind the direct contact.

i have a question which always becomes nightmare for me
is it true that one day i will not be alive?

if it's true then why we are crazy to collect those things which will not go
with us

Please suggest me or will you forward this note along, or suggest to me who the
best person is to know this?

Thank you so much!

Rick Lombart

It even gave his mailing address. Which tells me that this man is crazy, or someone is playing a nasty trick on him. At any rate, the message gave me brief pause.

To answer Rick's question, yes, someday it is true that you will not be alive, although many people think that you have multiple lives. I, for example, clearly remember being Cleopatra. So I'm probably the last person you want to pose this question to.

Having said that, Rick's point about collecting things is a bit odd. Why do we do it? Why do I collect photos that I take almost on a daily basis, when they will probably be of little use in say, 30 years?

I think the answer is, it's not about longevity. It's about passion, and what brings pleasure to life. If you are always wondering why you collect things given that you won't be around forever, I think you are kind of missing the point.

Do things now, simply because you enjoy it.