Existing is defined as to have actual being. Wow. We’re just here.

In this space.

In this time.

At this moment.

A spec in the universe.

Sounds daunting, broad, vast, unimportant, uninvolved, obscure, inconsequential, trivial, insignificant, minor, small.

            I used to work with a lady, and I would come in every day and say hello and ask her how she was doing. Do you know what her answer was every day? She would say, I’m here. Thinking back on that, it seems depressing. I’m here. That’s all I have for you today –my existence. Now more than ever, I realize where her answer stemmed from, and I don’t fault her for it. The impact your environment can have on your outlook is amazing. A mundane, routine, unexciting environment can definitely have you in a place of existence and nothing else.

            Everyone at one point or another has been on their grind day in and day out. The word grind in itself doesn’t even seem enticing. That standard often exhausting labor to earn a paycheck or degree can become a struggle to which, at some point, a lot of people accept as the norm. Then it becomes I’ve given all I’ve got, and all that’s left is my being. Unfortunately, the grind, the hustle, the 24/7 work all the time attitude has become an informal measure of success in our society, but for what purpose? Existing just to make it to the next point of existence is bleak and unappetizing, to say the least.

            Working excessively hard to achieve some measure of excess has no upturn if the consequence is just to exist.

Ah, but to live.

Living is animated.

Living is operative.

Living is ongoing.

Living is to be present.

            Living is part of existing. The best part. Living is an experience. Of course, in life, there are obligations and things we must do for survival and to earn a living. I look at it like this; I do what I have to do so I can do what I want to do. Life is not an endless grind. Life is too precious not to live it. Your lived experiences give you stories to tell and memories to cherish. Existence is nothing without participation. Every day doesn’t have to be an adventure but enjoy the adventures that come.

            Have you ever heard anyone say YOLO right before they do something they’ve never done before? YOLO means you only live once, and we use it as a crutch to experience moments every once in a while. Living is something we get the opportunity to do every day. Moments to live are moments to relish. Rather than treating adventure like a special occasion, wake up ready to embrace adventure every day.

No moment or experience is too small. That’s the beauty in living; it can be as big or small, lavish or simple, loud or quiet as you want it to be. A lived life is what you create. You don’t have to be a slave to existence/to work/to the grind.

A lived life is personal.

A lived life is not perfect but perfect for you.

A lived life is open and honest.

A lived life is fulfilling.

A lived life creates memories that inspire joy and produce freedom.