Written by: Sampada Poudel - 25018, Grade XII
Posted on: 03 July, 2024
Most often a common question surrounds our daily life: Can I do something meaningful in my life? In our schools we are always taught about legendary figures like Nelson Mandela, Kailash Satyarthi, Anuradha Koirala, and Jane Addams, who contributed significantly to humanity and dedicated their lives to a cause. It is natural to wish for something notable as well. In pursuing a meaningful life, people are compelled to make sense of living a so-called “normal life”. What kind of life is normal? According to the understanding of the majority, leading a life without any chaos, making a decent earning by doing 9 to 5, and maybe contributing to the family lineage is a normal life. But why is somebody compelled to live a monotonous, pointless, directionless, and hence purposeless life? The reason is undoubtedly, economic independence. We as humans have certain basic needs; food, shelter, education, and health. Even if our income addresses our basic needs and there is room for our passion then there comes social expectations and reputation. Celebrations of festivals, events like marriage, visiting exotic places, and owing valuable goods are a part of a certain life standard one strives for. And in this common will of living a high-value life, one forgets about their passion, ultimately sacrificing their time and energy to make attempts towards their dream. This is a commonly shared reality of many.
While everyone has their own kind of dream, societal expectations and personal circumstances snatch the right to live one’s life on their own terms. While I mention the conditions, one might question why it is necessary to live a meaningful life at all. Then comes the awareness of how life can be different for various people, how social issues are a norm in many societies, how exploitation and crimes are excessively making people’s lives miserable, and how helplessness and grief are shared. How can we, as educated and aware individuals, neglect them without attempting? The concept of logotherapy by psychiatrist Viktor Frankl in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning’’ gives a meaningful insight into leading a purposeful life. He mentions that we can discover meaning in any situation, even the most difficult ones by simply choosing how we respond to suffering and by finding purpose. He believed that the primary drive for people is not seeking pleasure or power, but finding meaning in their lives. We can find meaning through our work, relationships, and even through struggles.
If we are willing to make a difference and work for a cause we instead of dwelling deep in the question should try to make possible actions within our skills, abilities, and resources that constitute a normal life.
