The meaning of life

What is the meaning of life? It is a question that we all seek an answer to. The answer may be different for everyone. This, however, does not mean that some are wrong and others are right because no one actually knows the ‘correct’ answer. Life is a journey that starts when you come into this world and ends when your heart stops beating. It’s a period of less than hundred years. The luckier and healthier you are, the longer you live. Your actions define who you are and how you will be remembered.

It is true that we are divided by race, religion and caste but at the end of the day we are all human. Every individual plans his life differently but a common element that we all share is the presence of people around us. Throughout our lives, we meet different people, some are more important than others but all of them play a critical role at some stage. In adolescence, your immediate family is most dear to you; in adulthood your children become the most important part of your life and so on.

The key lesson is that it is people that make or break us. The way we behave leaves an impression on others. It is often said that no one is born good or evil; it is circumstances that influence our decisions.

What does it mean to live? I think it means to do the things that make you happy. This may not always be possible, but if you push yourself hard enough, you can conquer the adversities in your life. Everything takes time, so don’t give up; if you have a goal then pursue it without caring about what others think. It’s quite simple actually, you just have to pursue your happiness and eventually you will learn to live and things will happen for the better. Even if you fail, you can live without regrets because at least you tried.

The meaning of life will always be perceived differently by people. But according to me it involves making yourself capable of handling the challenges that come your way and creating happiness for the people most valuable to you. You might not be able to change the world, but you can change the lives of the people around you. Everything you do should bring happiness not only to you but to the people in your life. The words you say will be heard and remembered by others so make sure you make them count. Even saying a few words of encouragement to ease the concerns of others can make a difference, so don’t hold back or you will miss out on the best moments in life.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th,  2015.