It’s not uncommon to hear motivational speakers say things like – live your best life now, live as if each day were your last, step out of your comfort zone. Because of this school of thought, most people believe that living life to its fullest potential means a living a life filled with extraordinary and luxurious journeys, unusual life experiences and lots of travel. I used to think so too. I could have simply judged that a life packed with just as much thrilling adventure is indeed an exciting life.
As a young child, I loved Geography and encyclopedias. I grew up with a large fascination for people, places, cultures, food and such. It planned to tour the world. I envisioned myself working for one big oil company like Shell, buying anything i wanted without minding the cost , owning private gets and my own personal security detail that’ll salute whenever I pass by, etc. For a moment when I was young, I pictured that life as what it meant to live your life to its fullest. I felt that I had to take huge chances. Of course, it’s ideal to dream big and aim high. But years passed and life happened. I had reason to ask myself truthfully, what does it mean to live life to the fullest?
Realistically, we always assume anyone who is largely adventurous, has a luxurious life and travels a lot are definitely living their lives with sheer excitement. But just because someone isn’t doing as much as someone else, doesn’t mean they are missing out in life. Everyone is different. We all live in different environments. We all have different worlds, and different capabilities. It doesn’t always have to be about going out of the country or working with a large salary or owning that convertible. Just being happy with what you do and who you are and who you’re with— that could already be a very good life for some people.
Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! (Msg)
So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom. (Amp)
– Psalm 90:12
What then does it really mean to live your life to the fullest? Ask yourself. Are you taking chances? Are you following your dreams? Are you doing what you love? Are you happy? Being able to do what you are passionate about even in the simplest manner is an indicator that you are doing something good in life even if it isn’t as big as others.
Being able to conquer your fears can be a sign of living fully. When you were youngerhad stage fright but years down the line, you’ve become a more confident person. This that you did something for yourself and it made you a better person. Most importantly, it improved a big part of your life. Sometimes, we keep trying to compare the outcome of our lives to the people around us and we tend to forget that we have different stories to tell. Because we have different capabilities, we should try to beat our own limitations and not anyone else’s.
Don’t waste any more time pursuing temporary things and people, chasing after moments in time that truly don’t matter..
Know there is more than bodies who half-love you, than bottles that only leave you with an empty wallet and a pounding headache the next morning. More than waking up to the same schedule, shuffling purposeless through your day. More than wishing you had a different job, different path, different life than the one you’re currently living.
Know you don’t have to settle—there is more, so much more.
You just have to stand up, step forward, and go get whatever it is you desire.
You can’t be afraid of what could be.
Go after the wild thoughts in your head; stop being afraid that they’re going to lead you astray. There is no such thing as ‘wrong’ or ‘right’ in this life—only lessons. Only growth. Only change. Only discovering who you are.
