The Derivative of Life

A derivative in mathematics measures a function’s rate of change. Rather than measuring the location of specific points on a given curve, it examines the slope of that curve.

When we reflect on our own lives or plans for the future, we generally imagine specific experiences. We hyperfocus on a specific moment or feeling or ability. What if we considered the derivative of these experiences instead? The delta of our life experience, feelings, and capabilities can show us how much we’ve grown over time. The slope of the curve from where we are today to where we want to be can show us how much effort is required to accomplish our goals.

Life is constantly changing, and we as dynamic human beings change with it. We often get stuck in the weeds of daily life, ignoring the change that is fundamental to the bigger picture. By embracing the derivative of life, we can also strain less towards ephemeral experiences and find greater joy in the constantly changing universe. A deeper awareness and appreciation for life may lie in the derivative process of discovery and adaptation where its true nature is revealed to us.