What Does It Mean to Live?

What does it mean to live?

Does it mean to make money? To be a great leader? To finally be termed "successful"?

What does it mean to truly live?

We go through our lives often asking ourselves this one simple question, but yet one so powerful that it dictates so many of our decisions. We are in a constant search for what purpose we are meant to fulfill. What role we are meant to inhabit. What dreams we are meant and worthy of pursuing.

Yes, finding one's purpose can be quite the challenging task. And with there being so many possibilities to decide upon, it can become all too easy for one to become tangled in the "what ifs" and "what haves." One can often begin to tread up alternate pathways that they never before planned to step foot on. Sometimes, life can just be plain confusing, unfair, and difficult to handle.

It's during times like these when we may begin to feel as though we're 'drifting'. As we get farther and farther away from where we first started out, things may seem to get more complex. More difficult to read. Less clearly understood. The path may become increasingly unfamiliar to you, and often times, we may question or even forget why we ventured out to find our purpose in the first place.

Sometimes we may begin to drift.

As empowering as is it to search for one's purpose in life, sometimes everything becomes too confusing to find one's true end goal. Indeed, drifting is not an experience to necessarily enjoy. After a while, it may begin to feel as though life is that impossible puzzle that cannot be cracked.

And suddenly, giving up feels like the most logical solution.

To drift. To simply exist. To put an end to the pursuit.

But hold on just one moment here.

You were put on this planet for a reason. Out of every other individual who could have been created, you were the one chosen to be given this life that you're living. It's truly a gift.

And what about your purpose? It's there and it will always remain burning bright inside of you. Don't allow for the tumbleweed of previous paths to blow out this flame in your heart. Don't allow for the wind to wash out the memories of when passion once sparkled in your eyes. Just because the ultimate goal has not yet been reached does not at all mean that the goal should be abandoned. Searching for life's purpose is no easy journey, but it is one that you are able to conquer without a doubt.

Do you feel that? Feel it inside of you. It's the burning passion within your existence.

Now think back to what truly motivates you. Is it your family? Your friends? Your companion?

Is there some difference you're meant to make for another? For someone you care about? For a section of society that has been forgotten?

With each of us having a purpose, we also each have our own inspirations. The moment we began our journey, we saw these very clearly. As clear as crystal. As bright as the sun. But as the path became more complex, so did our doubt.

So take a moment right now to look deep inside yourself. Remember why you first began your search in the first place. Remember those that you hold in your heart as you continue to plow forward. The winds may blow and the rain might fall, but the burning origin of your purpose will forever remain.

And it's within you at this very moment.

Please take care of yourself,

Nicole Addison