"I am not living, I'm just existing"
"I'm not living, I'm just killing time"
"I'm not living, I'm just surviving"

I think one of the scariest thoughts that any person can have is that they are just moving through life and not actually living their life. Many people feel as though they are just going through the motions and are not actually experiencing what it is like to be alive. So if we are all so concerned with 'living', how is it that most people say they are not in fact living? Why is it that most people want to live a full life but they stay at the same boring job (that they probably hate) for thirty years? Many people may say that they don't have enough money, or maybe, not enough time. However, living a full life doesn't mean that you have to live extravagantly or travel the world. With that being said, what does it really mean to live?

I think the most basic definition of living would be "to be alive". However, I think we need to dig a little deeper to learn how to live the fulfilling life that everyone is after. To 'live', we must experience things outside of ourselves. So, just as the eyes are the window to your soul, the ears, nose, mouth and all those little nerve endings in your body are also direct pathways to your soul.

Live your life in such a way that you don't just see things, but you truly experience them. I don't think we should soak up only the amazing experiences, but part of living is also experiencing the bad of life. Life should not be only filled with celebrations, sunny days, and achievements. Sometimes life is about not getting the job, feeling alone and betrayed, or making the really difficult decisions. Life is not perfect and neither is man. To truly 'live' one must revel in the good times, but also acknowledge the bad. To live an extraordinary life, one must know what it means to be human and embrace what we are as human beings.

Do not experience things for experience sake. Rather experience and examine. So many people go through life without examination. Socrates in the Apology writes "the unexamined life is one not worth living" and I agree completely. Next time you have a moment, think about your core beliefs or even some facts of life, examine why you believe what you believe. Live intentionally and do not become complacent. Instead remain on an ever constant search to find truth. Start to truly examine life for what it is.

Live passionately, do not live to impress others. I know many of us in college live to please others: we pick a major our parents approve of, we say what our teachers want to hear, we join that club for our resume, we do so many things so we can look impressive. But when was the last time you did something that you were passionate about? When was the last time that you let someone know the full and honest truth of your opinion? To truly 'live' our life we must not be concerned with what others think. There is a very famous quote that says "we buy things we don't need, to impress people we don't like, with money we don't have". This is one of the most accurate statements of the world today. To truly live we must not work to impress others, but rather to honor ourselves and live according to what we are passionate about.

Lastly, I think in order to truly live, we must not be so focused on living an "extraordinary life". That is not the point. We do not have to finish college by the time we're 22, get married at 24, have kids by 26, and retire by the time were 65. We do not have to follow a timeline. Where is there the rule that you have to have a stable job, a family and kids, or stay in your home town? I'm going to let you in on a little secret, and also my life philosophy: life is not a race. Live intentionally. Do not live to keep up on the timeline of your friends, your parents, or of anyone who expects one from you. Live in the moment and do not worry about things of the future, because honestly if you take care of what is in the moment, you will succeed. I'm going to leave you with a poem that I think speaks to this idea:

"First I was dying to finish highschool and start college.

And then I was dying to finish college and start working.

And then I was dying to marry and have children.

And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work.

And then I was dying to retire.

And now I am dying... And suddenly I realize I forgot to live"

Please don't forget to live.