In her book "Animal Dreams," Barbara Kingsolver explores the concept of awareness in relation to life and eternity. She conveys that individuals often focus heavily on what happens after death, leading to anxiety about the future. This preoccupation with the afterlife tends to overshadow thoughts about the vast expanse of time that existed before one's birth, which is just as significant. Both states represent an infinite continuum that stretches infinitely in either direction from our current existence.
Hallie's observation highlights the human tendency to become fixated on the unknowns of eternity after death while neglecting the equally valid contemplation of the time before our existence. This reflection invites readers to reconsider their perspective on time and existence, recognizing that both past and future are part of the same infinite journey. Ultimately, awareness of this dual infinity can help shift our focus from worry to a more balanced understanding of life's continuum.