Life Is More Than Living: The True Purpose Behind Every Experience We Face

Life has been explained in many different ways, and the simplest way to define it is by activity. But the question is: What kind of activity are we talking about?

To explore this, let us turn to the words of Swami Vivekananda:

Life is a challenge to meet,
A gift to accept,
An adventure to share,
A sorrow to overcome,
A tragedy to face,
A duty to perform,
A game to play,
An opportunity to take,
A journey to complete,
A promise to keep,
A love to enjoy,
A beauty to praise,
A spirit to realize,
A struggle to fight,
A goal to achieve,
And lastly,
A puzzle to solve.

If we can even begin to live by these noble ideals, we will have a life full of meaning and fulfilment.

Each of us is given a unique task in life. God has entrusted us with a specific purpose and special talents, to fulfil it. No one is worthless if they are truly eager to achieve something good.

When people realise their potential and use their abilities, they can contribute something valuable to the world. On the other hand, no matter how talented a person is if they lack ambition, they may never reach their true potential.

With a lack of activity, life would lose its purpose. The true measure of life is not how long we live, but how much we give. Our significance in this world comes not from years, but from deeds.

As the saying goes, “We live in deeds, not in years.” Fame, or the lasting impact, we make, ensures that our life is remembered long after we are gone.

But let us not forget that life is not always easy. Procrastination is one of our greatest enemies. Those who delay action, who live in a state of inaction, are like lifeless stones.

A fox that sleeps through the day will never catch any chickens. Likewise, without transforming our thoughts into action we can’t accomplish anything.

Great people — those who leave a mark on the world — are rare. But even if we cannot live like the giants of history, we can still live a meaningful life.

If someone gives selfless love or service to just one person in their lifetime, they have used their life well.

We all belong to a larger society, and every act of kindness ripples outward, making the world, a better place. The work of service can start with our own family and friends, but it should never stop there.

A life dedicated to service, no matter how small the act, makes a person immortal in spirit.

The ancient wisdom of the Rig Veda, which dates back thousands of years, teaches us that a true God clothes the naked, heals the sick, makes the blind see, and helps the crippled walk.

The lives of great men like Jesus Christ, Lord Gautama Buddha, Prophet Muhammad, Guru Nanak, and Ramakrishna Parmahansa show us the true purpose of life.

These individuals gave their lives in service to others, embodying the moral law that is the foundation of all civilizations.

Human desires and emotions are not wrong by themselves. They are a part of who we are, and when channelled in the right direction, they can be transformed into something beautiful.

. . .

So let us strive to give ourselves a “new birth” to renew ourselves each day, doing good whenever possible, for as long as — we can.

Eventually, our happiness or sorrow does not depend on what we possess, but on how we respond to the challenges life brings us.

Life is a precious gift, and the best way to honour it is — by living with purpose and love.