Life is a very complex thing. This word that describes the entire journey one goes through from birth until death is a matter of fact, just one simple 4-letter word – L-I-F-E. It’s a got a nice sound to it though, life. I’ve never really thought what the word means to me until now.
To be honest, the meaning of life is different for each person and by no means am I dictating what I have to say to be the thoughts of every single person in this world. I only wish to articulate my own ideas of what the meaning of life is to me.
We can begin with what constitutes as life and say that life is what keeps us alive: food, shelter, sleep. But really, life is much more than that. Life is about being who you are and not being afraid to show that off. Life is about expressing your thoughts and ideas and giving love to all who are around you. Life is about having the freedom of speech to write this piece of writing. Life is about doing the things you like to do whenever you wish to do them. Life is… many things.
To me, the meaning of life encompasses everything from my hobbies and interests, to the communities I am a member of, from my friends and family, to those people I sort of associate myself with. The meaning of life is everything that I do and all that I wish to do. Life is what I have, materialistically and non-materialistically. Life is what I enjoy, what I appreciate, and even what I don’t like. Life is all the good, bad, and so-so things. Life just is.
For me, life (metaphorically) began when I started my first year of UBC. This experience was my first time living away from my family. Thankfully, they are only 20 miles away in North Vancouver. But the idea of living on my own for the very first time and appreciating the freedom that came with it was my first experience of ‘life’. I made many new friends from my residence floor; though, I lost touch with other friends from high school. I joined a sorority and gained the opportunity to lead and share experiences with 50 wonderful women. I volunteered with the Trek program and even met a guy that I’m still dating now, two years later. I even passed first year sciences, though my grades suffered because I hadn’t yet learned to balance all these involvements in my life.
My first year of UBC was life. There were ups and downs. There were times of complete ecstasy, times of absolute boredom, and times of well… let’s just say not GT’s… But you get over it. We rise from the ground, with the support of our friends and family. We overcome obstacles placed in front of us; they are merely stepping stones to a better future. We learn from our mistakes. We forgive those who made mistakes and show gratitude for those who made a difference in our lives. All these events and happenings become a part of we are, of who I am today.
And so, the meaning of life is whatever you want to make of it. To me, life is achievement through a learning process. Life is forgiving but not forgetting. Life is everything that you want it to be, really.
Simply put, life is.
– Venice Ng, Undergraduate Research Office
