A question that nags a lot of people is “am I living a life of significance or am I just existing?”
According to Arunesh Solanki, Student of Life, Existing can be defined as doing necessary things in order to stay alive or the side effects of the same. Necessary is – Eating, breathing, sleeping, hygiene, earning a living etc. Whereas Living is to savor every moment of your existence for what it is. Taking in the sights, smells, environment around you. Living in the moment.
Most of us are just existing versus living.
Here are 5 ways to determine if you are living or existing.
- Do you feel like you are in control of your life or do you feel like you are living someone else’s dogma of how you should live.
- How often do you do things just for the pleasure of doing things. There is a big difference between pleasure and entertainment. Watching a movie is “entertainment”. But drinking wine and eating a feast with friends until 3 am while chatting about everything and nothing is “pleasure.”
- Do you think your job is meaningful or not? Do you think you are living a life that matters or not? Are you pursuing your dreams or your passion?
- How often do you relax? Not just sleep for the sake of rejuvenation but relaxation that leads to bliss or nothingness.
- Are you making progress in your idea of success and happiness or are you drifting?
These 5 ideas can cue you into whether you are living or existing.