Live Like the Mayfly
Learning to Live with Purpose, Presence and Faith
In the mid-2000s, a Vodafone ad about a mayfly became my motto.
“The common mayfly has a life expectancy of just one day, but is he miserable about it… not one bit.”
That line stuck with me. I wanted to be the mayfly. To seize the day and fill each breath with meaning and purpose.
But somewhere along the way, it stopped.
Life happened. The alarm clock became my daily soundtrack, and wonder quietly slipped away. Instead of truly living, I found myself doomscrolling, watching others make the most of life while I let mine slip away.
I don’t know exactly when it all changed, but I do know this:
It’s time to invite the mayfly back into my life.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
The Kids are Alright
I had the privilege of witnessing our Year 12 students celebrate their final day at school. They led Chapel, laughed, cried, and honoured their teachers.
It’s always bittersweet. I remember my own Year 12 farewell as a strange mix of sadness and joy in every handshake, high five, and hug. We didn’t have selfies in 1998, but we had Sharpies, and our uniforms became the canvas for parting words and encouragement from dear friends and peers.
This year, I didn’t teach the graduating class; instead, I enjoyed the chance to watch it from the sidelines. I learnt a lot from the kids. They danced as if they had nothing to lose. And maybe they didn’t.
As I watched, I realised that somewhere between mortgages, meetings, and adulthood, I’d silenced that part of me.
Maybe adulthood doesn’t have to mean the end of wonder.
It may need to be different: slower, deeper, more intentional.
Tunnel of Joy
We had water baptisms at church last week, and I witnessed something truly special.
A young lad, nervous but smiling, stepped into the pool to declare his allegiance to Christ. As he rose from the water, his face lit up. His joy was radiant.
But that wasn’t the best part.
As he headed toward the change rooms, a tunnel of friends lined up, cheering and clapping. He high-fived them like an NBA player being introduced at the All-Star Game. At the end stood another young man, waiting patiently.
When they met, they hugged. It was simple, powerful, and a genuine gesture of brotherhood. It wasn’t a performance, nor was it done for show.
It was genuine and unfiltered.
I later learned the friend had been praying for him for years. That instant was an answered prayer, a shared miracle, a celebration of transformation.
The young evangelist inspired me.
He reinvigorated my desire to share the Gospel. To fall in love once more with a desire to reach the lost, to take hold of each opportunity to share hope, and rekindle my passion in His calling.
To welcome opportunities to share hope and tell people about Jesus.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation…”
Learning to Live… Again
As I watched those young people, I realised that my mayfly days aren’t over. They’ve just changed shape.
Living like the mayfly now means being fully present with my son: building Lego towers, hunting dinosaurs, telling bedtime stories, and exploring the world through his eyes.
Loving my wife wholeheartedly, rediscovering wonder together. Cooking dinner to impress her, holding her hand longer, remembering love is an action, service, and gift given unconditionally.
Teaching with intention, valuing my students, and speaking life into them. It’s responding to Jesus’ call with renewed passion. It’s heading out to the highways and the hedges with a spring in my step. To wake up every morning knowing I have been given another chance to live with the same energy as a mayfly.
That’s how I want to live again, with passion, purpose, and presence.
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come...”
Look to the Mayfly
Maybe we aren’t meant to live a long life, but a full one.
To see each sunrise as a fresh invitation to love fiercely, forgive swiftly, and serve joyfully. Because for the mayfly, that’s the truth. So look to the mayfly and embrace the day..
Not to escape the moment, but wake up in it.
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Carlos, I loved this! You are an exceptional writer, and I’m blessed to call you, my friend. We are learning together in our Writers Class, aren’t we?
Carlos ! I had to get out of my chair after reading this…it lifted me up …literally. That is the refreshing way we can enjoy Jesus each day.
Well said, with a clear and visual image with the Mayfly ! Stories are the oldest and most prolific teaching tool. Before books, after books, verbally, in dance , music or even a picture. THANK YOU CARLOS…when you have time, with lean of Jesus as we all hope we do, and write-on , Go Carlos.
Sara in the States