What is the meaning of my life?

What has changed when we have come and gone? Our birth and eventual death mark the duration of our lives. For some of us there is nothing more to it. But what gives it meaning? Maybe nature can give us some hints. Imagine being in a drop of water falling from the sky and somehow you end up in the stream of life on a mountain high. Here the flow of water is quick, vibrant and full of energy. Yet the stream is small and erratic. This flow of water may seem trivial on the surface however when we look in detail at all the things that it helps to sustain such as plant and animal life, it gains greater meaning. In this sense, if we abstract the definition of our lives beyond our biological presence it is possible to see that we can find greater meaning in our existence.

If we follow the stream we find it feeds into a river which is bigger but more coherent in its flow. Somehow by simply flowing we can shape rocks and transform the landscape. In much the same way we as humans work together to create things such as homes, relationships and life in the form of children. They are part of our legacy and yet I think there is more to life than perpetuating our DNA. As any step-child can attest, being a biological parent is not enough. I think our true legacy lies in the memory of our loved ones, friends and acquaintances. In this sense by observing and learning from ourselves and our surroundings we can cultivate true knowledge and meaningful relationships as we progress on our paths of life.

There are drops of water that are captured by man-made objects. As a result this water ceases to flow. When we focus on the temporary and base our lives around it, we are exposing ourselves to suffering. Thinking constantly about our physical assets and our mortality makes us dependent on them and can stop us from progressing in our lives. Even though the physical and the temporary are important for our physical survival, we would do well to pay attention to those aspects of our life which are eternal and meaningful.

Eventually the river reaches the vast ocean. At this stage a lot of people reflect on what they have done with the time given to them. There the flow of water and its energy are different. The drop has become part of something far greater and yet that is not the end for the drop of water. Eventually it will evaporate and be part of some other life cycle. In nature it doesn't matter if you are rich and powerful or poor and destitute, our bodies eventually die and we become part of something else. It is my belief that you can pursue whatever temporary objective you wish but you will truly benefit from those things you can take on your transcendental journey.