What is the difference between living and existing?

One is a sparkle in your eyes,

And the warmth of tea on a rainy day.

The other is a gray wasteland,

Numbing like a shot of novacaine.

One is laughter in the early morning,

Or eating pancakes with the lover you've always dreamed of.

The other is a hollow ache in your chest,

And feeling as if you're running on autopilot.

One is catching your favorite movie on TV,

Or your favorite song on the radio.

The other is the feeling of floating,

When all you can do is breathe.

Living is learning how to tread the water and to enjoy the swimming.

Existing is letting yourself be tossed around by the waves.