The Struggle to Survive and 10 Reasons to Live
The Struggle to Survive ...
Misery and hardship bind us together, transcending categories such as wealth, age, birth, or impending motherhood. Everyone is engaged in a struggle, whether it’s the battle to endure, to seek happiness, or to uncover life’s purpose. Amidst these struggles and quests for purpose, we accumulate a collection of medals in the form of scars, fleeting joys, soul-testing encounters, and diverse viewpoints.
While not a perfect analogy, though I beg to differ, anyways, as Dr. Hannibal Lecter (dialogue from the “Hannibal” web series) once remarked, “A perception is a tool that’s pointed on both ends”. This seems to be true as we grow older, weaker, and wiser, akin to fine wines, as the saying goes. The perspectives we adopt or try to understand are the ones that influence our behaviour and awareness.
"Life is a journey of experiences, each one a chapter in the story of who we are becoming."
Life transforms into a battle, this battle becomes habitual, habits give rise to experiences, experiences shape perspectives, perspectives evolve into lifestyles, and eventually, these turn into philosophies.
Shades of life and their struggles
Depending on our state of mind, we often paint the world in black and white, and sometimes we allow a tint of grey too. Those who love the “blacks” might quote William Shakespeare’s “Life is a tale told by an idiot — full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” We can only hope for the salvation of such beings. Well, you might not be surprised if you hear them questioning the existence of the divine.
Moving on to the “white” followers, you may find these ‘sorry’ individuals gravitating towards what Albert Camus once said – “Amid winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” I’m not complaining, it’s a good survival instinct to settle for little, to look on the brighter side, to believe that the unicorns exist and the rainbows are amusing, but until when?
Now, onto the ones who dwell in shades of grey. Quoting Rumi, they assert, “The wound is the place where the light enters you.” There is not much to say about them, except perhaps, it’s healthy to pause amidst the distinct paths of existence and seek solace within one’s mind.
Now you must be wondering what this canvas is about. It’s about time we get to the actual context. This narrative centres on discovering the reasons to persist in the struggle and to keep moving forward. Amidst the battle against my intrusive thoughts, I’ve assembled ten reasons to continue living. Without further ado, let’s explore them. Individuals possess profoundly unique motivations for their existence, which may vary from person to person.
Embracing Life and effectively confronting Struggles - 10 Reasons to Live
Reach Out For Help
These are just some potential reasons to live, and it’s essential to find what resonates most with us. If you’re struggling, it’s important to seek support from friends, family, or mental health professionals. Reaching out doesn’t make you weak; it empowers you and others. So often, try stepping out of your ‘misery boxes’ and explore things around you. Dive deep into the universe, try to understand how and why things work, and keep yourself indulged with people you love, things that amuse you, and challenges that help you become a better human.
The life that we live is not a single path, but a convergence of zillions of possibilities and experiences that the soul undergoes. We live on forever, in the form of memories, tales, examples, scripts, and verses. Life is an opportunity to become infinite, to unlock potential, and to explore all that was made, and will be made. So, I would like to end this splatter of thoughts with a verse from the Bhagavad Gita.
“न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः। न चैव न भविष्यामः सर्वे वयमतः परम्।।” (भगवद् गीता, अध्याय 2, श्लोक 12)
Interpretation: This verse tells us about the eternal nature of the self and existence. It says that life is not limited to the period we experience in our physical existence but extends beyond, emphasizing the continuity of life beyond birth and death.
