Eternity is not something that begins after you are dead, it is going on all the time

Eternity is not something that begins after you are dead, it is going on all the time

Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a prominent American writer, feminist, and social reformer who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She is best known for her groundbreaking work "The Yellow Wallpaper," a short story that critiques the treatment of women's mental health in the Victorian era. Gilman's writings often explored themes of gender inequality, social reform, and the nature of human existence.

One of Gilman's lesser-known works is her essay "The Eternal Goodness," in which she reflects on the concept of eternity and its relationship to the human experience. In this essay, Gilman argues that eternity is not something that begins after death, but rather is a continuous and ever-present force in our lives. She suggests that the eternal goodness of the universe is always at work, shaping our experiences and guiding us towards a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Gilman's perspective on eternity challenges traditional notions of the afterlife and the divine. Instead of viewing eternity as a distant and unknowable realm, she sees it as a tangible and immediate presence in our daily lives. This idea is reminiscent of the teachings of Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism and Taoism, which emphasize the interconnectedness of all things and the cyclical nature of existence.

By reframing eternity as an ongoing and pervasive force, Gilman invites us to consider the ways in which we are constantly connected to something greater than ourselves. She suggests that by recognizing the eternal goodness that surrounds us, we can find meaning and purpose in our lives, even in the face of adversity and suffering.