Philosophy of life : Are You Truly Living or Just Existing?
Life is a singular experience—each of us has only one, unique and irreplaceable. When someone passes away, the world moves on for those who remain. But what is the significance of being alive? Why does life matter? These are timeless questions that have haunted humanity for centuries.
For the one who has not yet been born or who has already passed away, life is nonexistent. They do not work, feel, dream, or marvel at the wonders of living. Even if a person once lived a beautiful life, those experiences disappear with them. We cannot know what they felt or thought—those moments are gone. Likewise, the dead are unaware of the living, just as we, the living, are oblivious to what lies beyond death.
The greatest mystery lies in the unknown: what happens when we die? Does consciousness persist, or does it dissolve completely? No one truly knows. The dead cannot inform the living. These unknowing shapes how we view life. It compels us to face the fragility of existence and challenges us to reflect on what it really means to live.
Beliefs about life and death vary, shaped by cultures, philosophies, and personal faith. Some ancient texts suggest it’s better to be dead than to endure life’s suffering. Others claim that those not yet born are the most fortunate, spared from the pain of living. Yet for me, both the unborn and the dead are beyond the experience of life. What truly matters is that we are alive—and we must live meaningfully while we still can.
This realization deeply changed me. I understood that life requires purpose in order to have meaning. Without purpose, existence feels hollow. So I asked myself: What is my purpose? Why do I live? After much reflection, observation, and experience, I discovered my purpose—to live peacefully, joyfully, meaningfully, and actively. To grow and embrace life’s challenges.
Before I could commit to this purpose, I had to wrestle with a foundational question: Does God exist? As a child, I was taught by my parents and community that an Almighty Creator governs all we see and experience. But I had to search for truth myself. In that journey, I found I could not disprove God’s existence. My faith matured, and with it came a deep sense of direction. This became the cornerstone of my understanding of life’s beginning and its destination.
Through exploring various beliefs and ideas across cultures, I’ve learned that life is meant to be shared. Despite our differences, we should pursue harmony and respect. Arguing over differences often leads nowhere—only conflict. I believe that a life lived with mutual understanding and peaceful dialogue is essential to human progress.
The difference between living and not living is profound. To live is to be conscious of our existence. It is to embrace our reality, to be present in each moment, and to recognize the blessings around us. Living is about creating goodness—not just for ourselves, but for others too.
A Purpose-Driven Life
In the end, the question of whether to live or not to live comes down to the choices we make in the present. Since we cannot escape the fact that we are alive, why not fully embrace it? Despite its struggles, life offers us the chance to grow, connect, and contribute.
To live is to participate. It is to pursue purpose, to find meaning in our personal journey. By living intentionally and mindfully, we can transform our lives into something beautiful and lasting. Life may be brief, but its value lies in how we choose to live it.
This, in essence, is what it means to live: to discover purpose, to grow in wisdom, to share deeply, and to leave a positive mark on the world.
