To Live

Life. It has many meanings depending on how you look at it. Biologically, there are conditions that must be fulfilled to be considered “living,” such as being able to maintain homeostasis, respond to stimuli, produce offspring, and more. Philosophers have debated the meaning of life for centuries, with different beliefs ever present. Essentialists believe that life has a fixed essence or a core set of traits that make something what it is, so identity is discovered rather than created (Waterman, 2014). On the other hand, existentialists believe that existence precedes essence, so humans are not born with a fixed nature but only later define themselves through actions (Waterman, 2014). 

From these varying perspectives, one can argue that life goes beyond biology or philosophy because to be alive doesn’t mean you’re living, and to truly live, you have to be alive. I think you need both. Biology can’t exist without philosophy and vice versa. So what is life? 

Life is to exist and to have meaning in that existence. I believe that there are predetermined things about your personality, your natural response to certain stimuli. However, I also believe that you can change and actively choose who you want to be. Those basic reactions can be rewritten so you act differently the next time your sibling steals your last piece of gum. Even better, you’ll offer that last piece to them yourself. 

Life is what you make of it, so experiences are important. Go travel the world, try different foods, meet different people, and get away from that same old routine. Because no matter what that one person said about visiting Alaska, YOU need to go and see for yourself. You have the right to form your own thoughts, make your own decisions, to change, and change again just because you can. The end goal should be to say that you lived, that I lived, that we did everything we set out to do, because at the end of the day, outside opinions should not dictate your life. 

So, this is my reason. To be able to say that I was successful in my eyes and, ultimately, in God’s eyes. I plan to care for others with the same kindness and grace that the Lord has shown me. I feel led to do so by becoming a physician, whether it’s working behind the scenes (my dream) or seeing patients face-to-face. Either way, this is my journey, so welcome, and there is SO much more to come…

Works Cited

Waterman, A. S. (2014). Identity and Meaning: Contrasts of Existentialist and Essentialist Perspectives. International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy, 5(1), 33-44.