We are living in the age of unprecedented hyper-connectivity, where distance has shrunken, but hearts have drifted apart; where happiness lies in material things, where money has become the essence of life, and where respect and love are not earned by deeds, but by money and status.

From childhood, we are taught that life is all about dreaming big, achieving that dream, chasing happiness and fulfilling all the desires that your heart wants. But we never thought about what the real essence of life is? What does true happiness mean? What do real achievements in life look like?

We are conditioned to believe that life has a purpose. Society teaches us that happiness lies in achievements, relationships and personal growth. We chase education, career, money and love, believing that they will give life meaning. But once we attain them, the satisfaction is often temporary.

A stable job, a beautiful house and a handsome salary for living, is this what life is all about? Not really. Unfortunately, we are all missing the true essence of life.

Today, life seems lifeless. We have lost the joy of life in search of life itself. Don’t wait for a big moment to change your life; live today, leave tomorrow. Too often, we spend our days waiting for something grand to happen. A new job, a perfect love, a fresh start, believing that happiness lies somewhere in the future. But in doing so, we forget that life is happening now. The laughter of a loved one, the warmth of the sun on your skin, the quiet joy of a simple conversation, these moments are what truly matter.

Viktor Frankl, in his book Man’s Search for Meaning, beautifully portrays the idea that true fulfilment does not come from external success or material wealth, but from finding meaning in life, even in the face of suffering.

We are struggling for happiness and that struggle continues until our last breath, so take a moment to ask yourself, are you really living or just existing? Tomorrow is uncertain, but today is in your hands. So, breathe deeply, love fully and embrace the present, because life isn’t meant to be postponed. It’s meant to be lived. And, in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It is the life in your years.

Remember the mind has its own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell and a hell of heaven. We need to change our mindset regarding the myth we, created for real happiness.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 31st, 2025