Every human is distinct. There are brown tones, ivory tones… taller and smaller. We all have different goals, personalities, and souls—yet we share one thing. We have all once sat, let our thoughts wander freely, and questioned the meaning of life. A human experience that unites us as one. Although I truly believe that this is an experience that unites us, I know there is a division. The meaning of life is dissevered into two complex parts; Either you carry the belief that fate is already written in the stars, or you grasp the pen and choose agency. Fate and agency, one determines.
Two paths, individuals choose. It influences the way they strive in their journey in life for the rest of their remaining time. What influences the way we view the meaning of life? a lens of past experience, faith, passions, or something beyond human comprehension? The answer is unknown—the nearest we will ever come to the truth is through listening to our own interpretation and the interpretations of those around us. What is the meaning of life?
“To me, the meaning of life is to experience. It’s to love others, meet new people, to see new places, and to discover what the world has to offer.” Jenna Bragg, a Senior, states when reflecting on her own interpretation. “I think the meaning of life is given by God; we just choose whether or not to listen.” Araceli Escobar, a Junior, claims. “I feel like the meaning of life is integrity. Life is like a test, and you get stuck in the test, but you always have to make a choice, whether that is a good or a bad one.” Wendy Cristino, a Junior, says as she looks back on what life means to her.
After further conversations with several other individuals, I realized something. The realization that the meaning of life is not something meant to be solved but rather something meant to be lived. We search for a single universal answer that fits every single individual… yet life reminds us every day that our lives are defined by our own beliefs, values, experiences, and the way we treat everything that comes our way. Everyone is different; there are people of all shapes, colors, sizes, and interpretations of life. What is the meaning of the life you are living?
