Embarking on the profound journey of life prompts us to ponder its purpose—a quest riddled with intricate questions. Is it solely about happiness?

While the pursuit of happiness is undeniably part of the human experience, can we truly appreciate life without the rich tapestry of varied emotions and experiences?

If not happiness then perhaps it’s about accumulation, you might argue. Yet, the ephemeral nature of the material world challenges this notion. When we depart from this realm, none of our earthly possessions accompany us.

Some posit that the true purpose lies in service and love—intangible virtues that endure beyond the physical. But can we carry these ethereal qualities with us into the afterlife? The uncertainty lingers.

Heaven, some proclaim, is the ultimate destination. However, the absence of firsthand accounts and the inability to prove its existence cast doubt. Living virtuously solely for the promise of an eternal afterlife seems precarious.

If neither happiness, accumulation, benevolence, nor heavenly pursuits define life’s purpose, what remains?

The pivotal question emerges: Who do we want to be right now, and where do we aspire to be tomorrow? What legacy do we wish to leave behind? What am I by my unique design?

Living authentically and embodying goodness should be inherent, requiring no extrinsic or after life reward, this should be a given. Beyond that perhaps, then, the essence of life lies in the present moment and the impact we make for what we leave behind, not what we will bring with us.

In contemplating life’s meaning, we must bypass the conventional metrics and turn inward. The crux lies in discovering who we are, independent of societal expectations and external influences. This introspection unveils the genuine meaning of life, a journey uniquely shaped by our unfolding moments and daily experiences.

As we navigate the pages of our life’s novel, the answer to its meaning crystallizes not through a predetermined equation, or some kind of tangible discovery but through the organic evolution of our existence, the unfolding of our life. When we reach the final pages, the tapestry of our journey will reveal the true essence of our lives, and its sole meaning for each one of us.

So, to seize the moment, is to live now. Ask yourself, “Who am I?” Strip away societal constructs and external pressures of all kinds and from all sources and ask this question. In this honest introspection, when you can answer it, you’ll find the elusive answer to life’s profound question.

They caution against living selfishly, yet within this admonition lies a paradox. To forsake selfishness, we must, at some level, embrace it. Even the desire to eliminate desire is, in itself, a form of desire. Determining how you want to live and what legacy you want to leave behind is selfishly unselfish—an assertion that beckons us to live life authentically for ourselves without fear or hesitation.

So the real question is “Who am I?”, “What will I do for what I virtuously desire for my tomorrows?”, and most importantly “What do I want to leave behind?” not what I want to bring with me, or where I will go to, but how much better have you left your space, that your existence once resided for when you depart in this world.

This is your story, and what we know is here now, and here lies the meaning of life, not for me, not for them, but for you. So be selfishly unselfish, and live as you were meant to live.

Lucky Nghi