Will This Matter 100 Years from Now?

I heard a story the other day about a man who accidentally ran into another man’s expensive sports car.  The man with the sport’s car got out of his damaged vehicle absolutely beside himself, yelling and screaming at the other driver over the mistake and how he ruined his beloved car.  Feeling very bad about the unfortunate mistake, the first man didn’t react to the continuous verbal assault with anything other than calm compassion and apologies.  “I’m so sorry”.  He thought to himself, “I didn’t do it on purpose.”  After much ranting and raving, the belligerent man cooled down considerably, though still very upset.  Isn’t it difficult to keep yelling at someone if they aren’t yelling back, fueling the fire? 

I wonder if the seemingly unfortunate accident, not done on purpose, could really be a gift in disguise if recognized and accepted it as such.  It’s crazy our Clinging to things, where we can wrap up our whole identity with this or that.  Is it possible that the man with the sports car felt somehow diminished himself by the damage his car received?  Whatever we happen to be Clinging to, perhaps it’s our looks, age, or physical health, isn’t it possible that wrapping up our identity, sense of worth, and value in anything other than our internal, timeless self is a recipe for disaster, at very least anxiety and stress, as nothing in this world is ever permanent?  Ask yourself in the heat of your or someone else’s anxiety, stress, or even anger, will any of this matter 100 years from now?  Heck, for that matter, will it even matter one year from now?  Always consider the bigger, longer term perspective on things.  What’s truly important this very moment, whatever happens to be going on?  Are you present, aware, or out of your mind?  Can you still appreciate all life has to offer in the moment of chaos?  I know, easier said than done, right?