"Living the Life"

Have you ever heard of the saying, “Life is short. Live it well?” duChemin (2010) once wrote that life really is short, but because of the many challenges in life, we seem to forget that, someday, our lives will end. In effect, we start to depend upon the fact that there is a guaranteed tomorrow and that we can do everything then. Leaving things unsaid, missing opportunities in life and not overcoming one’s fears are some of the things we do because we are so used to relying on the mindset of “there will always be time tomorrow.” But, what if your life ends tomorrow? What if you slept today, but do not wake up the next? Would you be able to declare, without any doubt, that you have lived every second of your life to the fullest?

In the movies, we always hear a character of the movie say, “I’m living the life” a staggering amount of money successfully or is living in a luxuriously, after overcoming numerous obstacles. Is this really what “living the life” is all about? To secure a large sum of money for spending in the future? To acquire material ownership over luxurious things? If this is the case, does this mean that less fortunate people are wasting every second of their lives, because they haven’t progressed from their social classes? What does it really mean to “live the life”?

Before I share what I believe is the true meaning of “living the life”, I just want to remind the readers that people have different opinions about life and how to spend it. It is not my aim to direct yours, nor is it to criticize your way of living. It is but my humble purpose to relay what I believe is true and just. I respect what others may feel towards the topic and do not uphold my opinion as dominant or superior over others.

To start things off, there is not one life that we have to pattern ours with. As the phrase may suggest, there is one and only one life that is worth living, which is “the life”. This life is usually filled with financial security or material possessions. There is nothing wrong with being successful in terms of money. In fact, students attend higher education to guarantee a life that is secured financially. It is the mindset of some that this life is the only one worth living, which in my opinion, is wrong. Some people may not have the riches, yet they still manage to start every day with a hearty smile, while some are stressing and struggling to maintain their “perfect” life. Therefore, we are entirely responsible for our own lives and what we make of it. As Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”

To me, life is a gift from God. Every morning, the sun greets us, reminding us that God has given us a brand new day to live. Because of this, I believe that each day is precious and should be spent to the fullest. Carpe diem, which is Latin for “seize the day” is a popular phrase found in Horace’s Odes. (The Meanings and Origins of Sayings and Phrases, 2011) I believe that in everything, we should put our whole heart and effort. We should be enthusiastic and active, achieving the fulfilment of goals in the highest manner possible.

Research has revealed, based upon more than 40 scientific studies, that religious people live longer than nonbelievers because of the positive social support that they receive, therefore, relieving stress. (Millenium Magazine, 2008) Having a religion means following a specific set of rules that the religion demands for their followers. . As a Born-Again Christian, I believe that a life well spent, is a life immersed in God. A life where God is evident is a life that is continually blessed by Him.  In exchange, a Christian must integrate Godly virtues in his life and be willing to follow the Bible. Piercy (2005) once wrote, “Without God, life becomes purposeless.” God is the source of all blessings. Therefore, without Him in our lives, we cannot receive the support that He gives to those who love Him.

In conclusion, “living the life” means spending every second of one’s life, doing everything with God, and for God. As different as it may be to the beliefs of many, this is one’s opinion of achieving happiness and fulfillment in the life that a person is aiming to live. So spend life wisely. People only live once, but if we work it right, once is enough.

References

Be yourself, everyone else is taken (Oscar Wilde) - Literature Network Forums. (n.d.). The Literature Network: Online classic literature, poems, and quotes. Essays & Summaries. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41780

Carpe diem. (n.d.). The meanings and origins of sayings and phrases. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/carpe-diem.html

duChemin, D. (2010, November 16). Life Is Short. David duChemin: The Travel and Humanitarian Photography of David duChemin, Vancouver, Canada 604-209-5900. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/2010/11/life-is-short/

Life Quotes and Sayings. (n.d.). Sayings and Quotes. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.coolnsmart.com/life_quotes/

Piercy, M. (2005, April 22). Life—a Gift from God - Answers in Genesis. Answers in Genesis - Creation, Evolution, Christian Apologetics . Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2005/04/22/life-a-gift

Religious People Live Longer than Non-believers. (2008, September 15). Millennium Magazine. Retrieved November 21, 2011, from http://www.newmillenniumnewsmag.com/magazine/featured-articles/religious-people-live-longer-than-nonbelievers/