by Danna Martínez
There are small moments in our lives to which we do not pay as much attention. We know them as fleeting moments. They are short-lived and easy to forget. Many times they don’t seem to be that important. Are they not?
The term ephemeral comes from the Greek ephemeros. Formerly ephemeros meant “something that only lasts a day.” Currently, the word ephemeral is used to characterize something that is temporary or has a short duration. The word ephemeral is a qualifying adjective. In other words, it is used to represent those short-time circumstances or brief things.
What kind of things are ephemeral? Among some are smoke, fire, ice, and also the rainbow.
The little things in life can sometimes be easy to forget. However, there are ephemeral moments that are kept in memory due to their charm. There are little moments that we enjoy so much that we want them never to end. For many, those fleeting moments could be something incredible. Things as small as a hug or a goodbye. Others will wish for the rain not to stop or the sun not to go away. We value fleeting moments because we know they are short-lived. If we ask that fleeting moments be eternal, we will not give them the same value as we would if they were to end.
In philosophy, ephemeral is considered something superficial. In other words, something of little relevance, without depth or foundation.
However, the ephemeral is relative. Children’s minds seek fun in ephemeral things. Some are amazed at soap bubbles, even though they explode quickly. Others are distracted by seeing cars of different colors go by. The simplicity of things is everywhere.
Some people have experienced that when going to the beach, they leave their footprints in the sand. These types of footprints or “marks” are ephemeral. Sooner rather than later, something will erase them. It may be the water when it passes over the sand, or it may be the wind that washes them away.
The ephemeral is a moment or thing that has a short duration. The ephemeral is relative. For some, the ephemeral can be of great value. For others, it is not so important. Likewise, what for others seems to be ephemeral; for some, it may be eternal.
Alice asked, “How long is forever?” and the White Rabbit replied: “Sometimes, just a second.”
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