Life
Yes, i know. what a stark contrast to my last post. but then again i can think of no better time to talk about life. as i write this i am serenaded by the peaceful tune of Canon. i came across it visiting a friend's blog, and this wondrous masterpiece, uplifting, full of spirit and energy, and yet at the same time calm and soothing, floods my senses. i could not help thinking, how much better life is because of the existence of music like this.Life... once again i find myself asking the same question that millions before me have asked: "What is life?". i wonder how many great thinkers have bent their minds over this one question, this one mystery of which there is no key to the lock. many have come up with their own understandings of life. to each his own, i say. i believe that everyone has to face this obstacle of finding out what exactly life is on their own. it is not something that can be solved by a committee, nor can there be a single decisive answer. each individual must discover life, alone and unguided. it is much like a jigsaw puzzle where the pieces don't fit and the big picture makes no sense.
Life can be defined in many ways. according to www.dictionary.com, here are a few definitions that i am interested in.
1. The characteristic state or condition of a living organism.
2. The interval of time between birth and death.
3. The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute existence.
4. Human existence, relationships, or activity in general.
5. A manner of living.
6. Liveliness or vitality; animation.
And here are my interpretations.
1. Life is a condition. this makes it a necessity.
2. Life is also an interval of time. this time has to be filled with something.
3. Experience is a good filling. it constitutes of existence.
4. Humans must interact with their surroundings and with each other to have a good existence, which also means a good experience.
5. Our experiences dictate the manner in which we live out our lives.
6. And, it won't hurt if we add in a little liveliness and vitality.
You may have wondered about life before, mused about its meaning, perhaps gotten a little depressed over it. i know i have. a life is a life, but there are so many lifes out there as well. billions, in fact. how different is my life from any other? what is the point of living if i'm going to get a university degree like every other singaporean? even worse, what if i don't? what then? the future is so uncertain! i don't even know what i want to do when i grow up! my life has no meaning to it, just study, study, study, year after year. holidays don't even feel like holidays anymore, but more like extended homework leave. from this perspective, life sucks.
And it would, if you let it get to you. but i have learnt to stop looking at the larger picture and just focus on the simpler things in life. laughing at a joke with friends, waking up late to find the sun's rays shining upon me, watching movies at a friend's house late into the night, staring at the blue sky on a clear day, listening to the music the rain makes, finding something long thought lost, all these are the experiences that enrich a life. many think life has no meaning to it. i think that as well. life doesn't have any meaning. it needs you to give meaning to it. remember, life is just an interval of time. time intervals don't have meaning. but once you fill it with an experience, that life becomes unique, something that no one else will ever be able to duplicate, because it happened to you and affected you and changed you in a certain way. that uniqueness is what gives life its meaning. it is the comfort of knowing that you are one of a kind, not just another statistic. and one of a kind is always special.
Sometimes the big picture doesn't have to make any sense. and sometimes, when the jigsaw pieces don't fit, you have to learn to cut a bit. life is many things, but one thing it isn't is perfect. sure, there are highs and lows,but that only adds to the enriching experience. a life of highs is nothing if there isn't a low to compare it with.
Holmes once said, "Life is painting a picture, not doing a sum." indeed. a picture is unique, because it can never be recreated exactly. certainly, the image may look alike, but the brush strokes will never be the same. yes, life is full of uncertainty and apprehension, where anything and everything can happen, but the important part is that you handled it your own unique way. after all, nobody knows you better than yourself.
What is life? that's for me to know, and for you to find out.