What is LIFE?

Taking time to absorb the featured image, We see an elderly who smiles without hesitation. A smile so sincere that it pierces the heart of every troubled individual, making them think that everything in life would be okay.

Then suddenly a looming yet ever so elusive question comes into mind. “What is LIFE?”. This topic spheres into a messy combination of adverbs and pronouns like Why, How, What, When, and Where. People live and people die, the natural course of things. However, most of us don’t even have a clue why we have to go through our daily routines. Slowly but surely people gain responsibilities.

Some of us justify our responsibilities as the pseudo meaning of life which may not be exactly correct. The true meaning of life differs from one person to another; others would say that they were born to be a teacher, a mother, a father, a worker, a scientist, a laid back billionaire, and the list goes on. But truly, they might just be setting their own expectations by planning ahead or simply justifying their current status. Finding the true meaning of life is a combination of a lot of things. Some questions you might ask yourself while trying to find the answers are:

But truly, they might just be setting their own expectations by planning ahead or simply justifying their current status. Finding the true meaning of life is a combination of a lot of things. Some questions you might ask yourself while trying to find the answers are:

• Exactly what am I good at?
• What should I do for a living?
• Is there something I love?
• Who am I doing this for?
• Do I have any value in this world?

Honestly, there’s a lot to think of. There’s a guide that was very useful to me ever since I asked myself this same exact question. I had depression right after graduating from high school. I occasionally had thoughts of indefinitely silencing myself from this world. But due to research and with the help of family & friends, I found a path that may lead me towards the place I longed for. A path that I am still walking on at my own pace.

The Reason for Being

IKIGAI, A Japanese concept that means “A REASON FOR BEING”
The word Ikigai, is used to indicate the source of value in one’s life or the things that make one’s life worthwhile. It can also mean “The thing that you live for”. As indicated earlier, each person has his/her own path to take, a path that shows depending on their personality, specific to the way they live and how they define values and beliefs.

IKIGAI reflects the inner self of an individual and express it faithfully, while simultaneously creating a mental state in which an individual feels at ease. Activities that allow one to feel IKIGAI are never forced on an individual; they are often spontaneous and always undertaken willingly, giving the individual satisfaction and a sense of meaning to life. Before we go into detail, answer these questions.  

1. What do I love?
2. I am good at?
3. I am currently paid for?
4. What does the world need and how can I contribute?

Now look at the image below and check where you are at the moment. This can be used for various perspectives.  

• If you’re doing what you love and what your good at. This is what you’re PASSIONATE about.
• Doing what you are good at and geting paid for it? This is your PROFESSION.
• Getting paid for a specific act that is generally for the common good? Like planting trees. This is a VOCATION.
• If you’re doing what the world needs and at the same time you sincerely love what you’re doing. you are in a MISSION.

If you find yourself in between all 4 major areas of the graph, Passion, Profession, Vocation, and Mission. Then that my friend, can define what LIFE is all about!

Conclusion

A lot of unexpected things happen in life. You might suddenly find yourself in the crossroads of doing only three things in this graph at once. Like being paid for what you are good at and at the same time it is what the world needs. You may notice the feeling of comfort but deep inside, you feel empty because this is not what you love. Other combinations may also be apparent.

Truthfully, we may experience a lot of different professions, vocations, passions, or missions. Don’t be alarmed, this is completely normal! However, I sincerely believe that there’s only a handful or even only one reason for living, and this is our IKIGAI.   At our own pace, let us try to find a way to connect all four major circles. This way, we will be able to answer our very difficult and controversial question.

I challenge you to never give up on yourself! To seek and nurture whatever you find meaningful. Once we filled up our glass and made a mark in this world, when we get old and grey, let us enjoy sharing the stories of our journey to the people that matters to us.

We created this article to help people overcome depression. There’s more to life than it seems.. Find it! Conquer it! Live for it!

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below..