Introduction
Being alive is a biological phenomenon, marked by circulation, respiration, and brain activity. Feeling alive, however, transcends mere existence to touch the very essence of human experience. The former is mundane, often taken for granted in the rush and hustle of responsibilities and expectations. Feeling alive, though, awakens the soul, providing a sense of profound connection to the present moment.
The journey from simply existing to truly living is seldom straightforward. It’s a tangled web of experiences, challenges, and revelations. For those like me, who have traversed numerous countries and lived among diverse cultures, this journey is both personal and universal, highlighting a common human tendency: our fixation on an idealized future that promises happiness. Alas, life, unpredictable as it is, ensures that there is no ultimate, ever-after destination.
The Illusion of Ever-After
"Happily ever after," a phrase familiar from fairy tales, often deceives us into believing that life’s challenges will eventually culminate in perpetual joy. This concept is cultivated from childhood, evolving with age as a constant reassurance. In many cultures, such as those I’ve encountered in China, Russia, and Argentina, there’s a pervasive narrative that life’s hardships are merely temporary, preludes to a promising future. Yet, life shows us that it does not abide by fairy-tale conventions.
“Life made a Twist again. After studying in San Francisco for several months, I got some health problems and I dropped out and I was hospitalized four times.”
Experiences like leaving my homeland at a tender age, grappling with family separations, and enduring personal setbacks reaffirm one thing: while "happily ever after" captures optimism, the real essence of life is about embracing the journey with all its oscillations.
Personal Tales: Trials and Triumphs
My life's narrative has been a series of ups and downs, weaving through joyful peaks and despairing troughs. Each significant chapter, from Soviet Russia to a flourishing career in South America, has been defined by resilience and the relentless pursuit of a meaningful existence.
Reflecting on life's trials, whether they include familial disruptions or personal health battles, highlights a profound realization: Life has no preset destination. It’s neither a linear progression towards happiness nor a quest to avoid hardship.
"The lack of a sense of home made me create home inside myself and connect with many beautiful souls while traveling."
In the thick of perceived setbacks, such as failing my first business and facing personal health crises, there emerged a broader understanding that happiness is tethered more to the journey than the destination.
Embracing the Rawness of Human Emotion
The tumult of life's journey is embodied in the full spectrum of human emotion—joy, sorrow, excitement, and fear. These emotions collectively mold our capacity to feel alive. It’s in moments of heartbreak, triumph, failures, and joys where we glean glimpses of what truly living feels like.
The concept that life is meant to be a series of experiences, rather than a sequence of waiting for a better tomorrow, resonates deeply as a guiding principle. Painful experiences, heartbreaks, and missteps can become catalysts for creativity and growth, ultimately enhancing our sense of aliveness.
- Experiencing Grief: Losing a loved one, like I did with my grandmother and later my grandfather, taught me the touchstones of compassion and empathy.
- Transitions and Change: Moving to a new country alone and learning a new language exposed me to the vibrant colors of human resilience.
- Challenges in Pursuits: Launching businesses, struggling, and sometimes failing instilled a deeper understanding of perseverance.
"Happiness lies in simply being alive. Aliveness is about experiencing life in all its forms."
The Beauty of Navigating the Present
The push towards a better tomorrow is a dangerous narrative that might dismiss the significance of now. Instead of focusing on a distant future, recognizing the value of the present is key to feeling alive. Each emotion, whether joyous or painful, forms the rich tapestry of our lived experience.
My story illustrates that true aliveness surfaces when we embrace the messiness of life. It’s an imperfect, dazzling dance of emotions where even routine activities blossom with vibrancy:
- Exploring New Cultures: From Russia to Argentina, each country I’ve called home taught distinct lessons that remain etched in my soul.
- Cherishing Brief Moments: Whether reveling in the sublime beauty of a Kenyan honeymoon or the simple joy of a Paris proposal, these snippets remind us of life's grandeur.
- Facing Hardships with Open Arms: The global pandemic, health hurdles, and family crises become testaments not to life's cruelty, but to its profound lessons on gratitude and resilience.
Conclusion: Life as an Unfinished Symphony
As I share these insights, it becomes clearer that the difference between being alive and feeling alive is rooted in the embracing of life’s tumultuous symphony. The endless pursuit of a brighter horizon, the anticipation of the "one day," is us denying the beauty of the present.
Life, in its raw unedited form—replete with mistakes, missteps, and learned lessons—is where we find our truest sense of being. The notion that 'someday' life will become manageable is a fallacy. It’s in the collective grasp of every moment, every success, and every failure that we understand life’s true palette.
Ultimately, the journey towards feeling alive is about engaging with life in its entirety—not just the happy endings. Embracing the full range of human experiences reminds us that, though life is unpredictable, it is gloriously, indelibly alive.
"This is aliveness. It's messy, it's imperfect and it's beautiful."
CULTURE, RESILIENCE, YOUTUBE, PERSONAL GROWTH, LIFE, SELF-DISCOVERY, ALIVENESS, EMOTION