The first mark of existence: Impermanence

There are three marks of existence:

Life is:

1. Impermanent
2. Unsatisfactory
3. Not Self

Of course, the first one is factual--not a belief--that is, if one investigates it carefully. The second two are logical outcomes of the first and also easily discerned by way of careful observation. Buddhism is a come see for yourself approach by all means.

Here is a video of a person taking a snapshot of himself every day of his life for twenty-years. This is the longest frame of time I have seen for one of these types of compositions. It is said that one lifetime is like a flash of lightening and this video is an interesting example because it all depends on the frame of reference or order of magnitude. However, it is a good reminder that your Dharma practice is important in the here and now since that is what you take with you, if anything.