Life, on the surface, might seem like a really simple thing. It’s a four letter word and an easy one at that. Beneath the surface however, where reality lies, we can see that it is really most complicated.
Especially human life, though that is our own doing. But this theme is prevalent in nature too which you can easily observe in the animal and plant kingdom where eat and get eaten seems to be the way of life.
It seems like nature has ’struggle’ built into the design of life itself. However, we humans, thanks to our intelligence, can steer away from that design should we choose to.
We have the power to go above and beyond the state of just existing and experience all that life has to offer, a life that has been augmented by the changes we have brought about on the planet. However, taking a look at the average person, it seems like they are just existing, letting life happen.
Are You Simply Existing?
What I mean by this is a life of settlements. We humans are very different from the other species that we share the planet with, in that, we have hopes, dreams, aspirations, desires, wants and a general ‘view’ towards life and an ‘image’ in our heads of how we would each like to live.
The modern society that we have created is a direct result of that. It has been our desire to never settle that has kept us going and becoming more advanced with time.
There is an irony in that however. Though as a species we may be ‘not settling’, on an individual basis, there are millions of people that settle in life for far lesser than what they had hoped to achieve. This relates to their work, place where they live, even spouses and friends and almost all areas of life.
There are many, many reasons for this and those are not important. Bottom line is, a lot of us just keep on giving ourselves excuses about why things are the way they are and not the way we want them to be. Hence, the settling mentality. Such a life, is mere existence where you are but a cog wheel in the societal machine.
Are You Living?
I guess everyone will have a different explanation to what truly living life constitutes. But in my own opinion, I think it all boils down to pleasantness. If you are pleasant about everything (or most things) in your life, you are truly living it to the fullest.
This could mean that you have the perfect work that you simply love doing, you have great amazing people in life that keep on lifting you higher, you get to travel around because you just love it, or a million different things.
If that image in your head about how life should be resembles reality, you are ‘living’ and frankly you would be in the minority. True happiness is almost like a treasure in today’s world.
Many people might think that such a life is just impossible and the people that preach it are kidding themselves or the people that claim to be living it are just full of it, but hey! those are the exact kind of people who are simply existing and can’t see beyond their bubble, so why listen to them anyways!
What You Can Do?
I’ll tell you from my own personal experience. The number one thing that you got to do is stop giving yourself excuses. If you want to your body to be fit, stop giving yourself excuses and just do it. Hate your job? Stop giving yourself reasons to still stick with it!
The day you decide to take matters into your own hands and decide to do something about it, is the day your life starts to change for the better and you start breaking out of that vicious state of simple existence.
Yes, it’s scary. Trust me, it is! Even as I am writing this, I am reminded of my own new path in life and it scares me a little. But you know what? It’s a good kind of scary. The one that will ensure that you are own the right path and on your way to true happiness.
As Steve Jobs rightly said, “Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” Just identify your dreams, make that picture in your head the clearest it can get and just go for it!
I think I am between existing and living. 😀
Days and even weeks flies too fast and I just keep dreaming, but should act more...
I didn't enjoy my job, I changed it as opportunity just fell on me.
I had 101 excuses why I don't fit my body. Main excuse was time - I have no time.. Now I am going to trainings, if I don' t go after work, I go before that. Mostly I do it for myself but also want to be better for my bf 😍
Dreaming doesn't carry you on, but acting does. Easy to say...
Too many of my dreams are affecting
orhers. Some dreams are not just about me, but also my family.. So, I just wait right time to jump, sometimes it may take years.. or I just give up dreaming of it and I'll find new things to dream of 😊
Totally agree with you. Action is totally required. Many people are stuck in the dreaming phase. Kudos to you for bringing about change in your life :)
Most people are so worried about being superior than everyone else, they desire more and more and more. I'm always baffled why people can't be happy with what they have and start to enjoy life. Greed causes workaholics and for what? nobody really cares about how much money you have!
It's not about the money though. As I said, different people have different idea of what truly living means. Yes, for some it might only be about the money but for a lot others, it could be totally different. Some people would just like a quiet life somewhere in the woods and they would be truly happy!
This post really explains the difference between living and existing.
What keeps many people(average) existing,is because it is the easy thing to do.
It is as easy as staying in your comfort zone.
It takes courage to live life,because it involves risk!
Steemit is encouraging many people to take the plunge of changing their lives.
I totally agree with you. Steemit sure is pushing many people or at least providing a glimpse of what it can be like to live!
Excuses = Lies
yourself reasons = Lies
When we are able to stop lying to ourselves, we feel better, and can start learning to live instead of existing.
Totally agreed. :)
Thankyou for sharing @sauravrungta . . Good motivation. . 👍👍👍
Thank you for reading :)
very good post, is really thoughtful, thank you very much for sharing! I hope you have a great week
Thank you for the kind words :)
Great post! Completely agree with this and it is scary indeed. I'm still not truly happy with my current life yet it is changing for the better.
Take those leap of faiths, don't sell yourself short and don't be scared to live. We should all stop worrying about what people think, what people want and just be who you want to be. Only then you'll be truly happy.
It is scary indeed. Those leap of faiths are one of those scary things, but if you stay on course, it will take you to where you want to be.
Life is here and now. there is life before death. It is not important to know if there is life on other planets if we are destroying our planet. Nature holds us in her hands, it is time to stop so much damage that we do every day to Mother Nature. Your call is very important, thank you for sharing
Completely agreed. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
Sometimes you read a post with things you already know deep down, but the clarity still strikes you and takes a hold inside you:
Always give your best, live life to the max, be as kind as possible to all around you, give freely without expecting anything in return and never settle for mediocrity.
I knew this, but after this post it has never been more clear. Thank you so much!
Your words inspire me to write more on the topic. It means a lot that there was something for you to take away from this. :)
No one can hold the title of life expert. Because everyone's life is different, and the happiness of life for each person is not the same. Even when asked to define the so-called rich people, we certainly get a variety of answers from a hundred different people. For me personally, the happiness has no debt and is satisfied with what is.
Exactly. Everyone has a different definition of what it means to truly live and that is so beautifully complicated. I guess that's life for you, right!
Such a motivational post Saurav.
I believe living it is totally in one's own hands. Few call is sacrifices or adjusting while I would say it's like using your resources to the best of what you need. Do things that pleases you instead of doing for pleasing others.
Agreed! Thanks for the kind words :)
so motivational! This is something I am constantly trying to achieve.... living the happiest life I can have and feeling fulfilled. Amazing people help that of course! Thanks for the awesome article.
Yeah, I am trying to do the same. One step at a time :)
Thanks for sharing.
I think we are evolutionary disposed to comfort. We aren't really made to go better ourselves by being uncomfortable or in pain. Few people get over that mindset and seek out discomfort, fear, change, and well, living.
I've heard some people suggest that this is where depression comes from. The symptoms like fatigue, lethargy, and not wanting to do things are evolutionary mechanisms that aim to prevent us from going out and "living" so we don't endure any further harm.
That's correct!
Yeah, familiarity is good for survival and that is an evolutionary trait for sure. But our ancestors broke away from that and today we have the whole world for ourselves and I think we should aspire to do the same in life too :)
Upvoted and also resteemed :)
Thank you :)
believe it or not this post is exactly what I needed to read right now. thank you 🙏🏻
This means a lot to me. Thank you :)
LOL. For some this guy is truly living!
Bhai after working in indian IT company i believe i just "exist" . It looks like Steemit is giving me some reason to live :-)
Yes, Steemit is giving A LOT of people to live :)
Striving to live life, not just exist. Thank you for the lovely post!
Thank you for reading :)
Well sometimes we just can't do everything what we always want to.. im not writing it because I'm sad.. but sometimes we have to face those moments when we can't do what we actually want to do.. I made compromises many times... In reality I wanted to do some designing stuff but just because of family issue I did engineering and recently when I got shortlisted for MBA then that money issues came in front of me so I just didn't got that admission this year.. but yes your motivation is right so I participated in cartooning, apparel designing in my college time for inter university Fest.. I won the first prize in both..
Sometimes things go wrong so that the right things can happen. Trust me. I had the goal of MBA too but during the entrance exams I realised I didn't want to do MBA anymore and I was completely lost. But thanks to that I found the right direction in life. :)
I kind of see what you are saying, but for me 'settling' was the means of achieving happiness, that pleasant life you mention.
I had set high expectations of myself, far higher than I asked of anyone else; because you have to keep pushing for more, right? If you aren't pushing you are settling, and everyone keeps saying you can do more, have more, be more, want more...
But actually settling and saying 'I have enough', 'I dont want things I don't need', 'my needs are small' released me from the treadmill of false expectations.
Examine what you want, and ask yourself why you want it? You want to travel the world, why? Because you see others doing it and they look cool...?
You want a big house, why? Because it allows you to have a special status within your peers...?
Settle and have an easy life... :)
I totally understand your point and I completely agree. For you, settling was truly living. As I said, different people have different idea about what truly living means and for you, it so happened to be living a settled life, a peaceful one. I respect that! :)
Interesting post
Thank you :)
Living baby! I am living big time!
haha! Good for you.
Living is the most important thing to do in our life, but unfortunetly too much of us just existing...
Exactly! :)
Upvoted and resteemed, great post!
Thank you :)
So damn true, yeah taking control of ones destiny and doing things that you love !! Thanks for your inspiration , I'm now pumped up!!
Nice post