Because I am here? That I have to do? Where should i go? With whom? What will happen when I leave? Why is there so much pain? What is the meaning of life?

We are fortunate to have become sentient life forms. Evolution allowed us to get to this point. However, the ability to understand does not give more meaning to our existence than an ant, a fish or a bird. Our purpose in life is simply procreation. Let’s become more human and we will have fulfilled our reason for being here.

However, we have the ability to do more, to be more, and to act in ways that benefit others. We can appreciate our existence, manipulate our environment, and improve the lives of others. We can be moral, compassionate and ethical. Some may describe this as egocentric nihilism. So be it. It may be in our nature to improve the condition of humanity and improve the quality of our environment.

Some of the most beautiful and talented people die at a young age. Some of the most terrifying monsters enjoy long and comfortable lives. There is no rhyme or reason for the symphony of life. It’s tragic, electrifying, magnificent, and terrifying all at the same time. Are we confined to the role of an observing passenger over time? Can we act in a way that impacts society, benefiting future generations? Can we impart this value to our progeny? Whether or not this is our destiny, the perspective exists and its meaning calls all of us through the silence of time.

We do not exist to do something or to be someone. Although we have innate gifts, randomness plays a key role. We are born into wealth or poverty. Our parents love us or beat us. The chance of our birth condemns us to poverty or places us in circumstances of great wealth; we receive superior guidance from a loving family, or we are cast into the cold and dark world as orphans. However, there are those who overcome such parodies of unfortunate circumstances. Some of the most depressed people are rich beyond greed, as are many of the physically beautiful. On the contrary, some of the least attractive and disadvantaged people are also the happiest. We live to consume, possess and possess. We learn, we work and we achieve. But are we satisfied?

Our destiny is created through decisions. It is the only true freedom we have. The consequences of our decisions create or deny opportunities. We can overcome serious handicaps by virtue of our ability to reason and act wisely. This is not our purpose. Rather, it is a gift. How we use this gift determines our legacy.

No metaphysical explanation of death, heaven, God, alternate dimensions, or a parallel universe is required for us to be satisfied. Happiness has little to do with ideas of conscience or delusions of morals. The Torah teaches us that whoever saves one person saves the whole world in turn. If there is any meaning in life, it is that we have the ability to help others. We can touch lives and improve them. The context of this morality is compassion. Compassion ennobles humanity and enhances its meaning. The human soul does not feed on values ​​(Nietzsche). It thrives on love and compassion. We have the ability to grow beyond our egocentric ego. What we do with our lives resonates throughout eternity with those who remember us. The gateway to this reward is ethical behavior. Yes, it is subjective. But reason and logic alone leave us wanting.

The currency of life is empathy. The more we give, the more we receive. Anyone can be rich in this regard. Environmental conditions and strength of purpose allow someone with a short and miserable life in painful misery to become happy and fulfilled. Achievement comes from the knowledge that one’s presence in life made the world better in some way. The search for additional meaning is superfluous.

Time is the fire in which we burn slowly. Its flames puncture our skin always. Time surrounds us in a silent and fiery malevolence, which always wins our retreat. There is no escape. Death is liberation, not exoneration. The fact that we have only one chance to live makes every moment, every interaction, critical. There are no second chances.

Why do we fear death? Death is simply the normal end of life. It is a liberation for many and a wish for those who suffer. We mourn the lost loved ones. The huge void is unbearable. Yet through sadness and grief, despite the certainty that they are gone forever, we can rejoice at the way they touched our lives. We can remember his love and pass it on to others.

Humanity captures an optimistic image of existence after death. Captivated by a fabricated idea from heaven, we blunder through life assuming our ends will more than justify the means. We blindly assumed that a “good” deity would always welcome us into her womb, allowing us to partake of heavenly bliss. In reality, we are responsible for everything we do or say. Our actions have consequences. We can help or hurt, assist or ignore, tolerate or hate. And while death may appear to be a brick wall upon which our entire lives must crash, our actions in life resonate through eternity. Our behaviors resonate through time, reflecting and refracting everyone we meet and whom we meet. The resulting clarity becomes the character of our legacy. Good or bad, right or wrong, the remote memory of our existence will be defined by our past and present actions and attitudes.

The noblest endeavor in our meager existence is to confer value on the existence of our progeny. We can teach our children to respect and honor humanity in all its forms; and, value the differences between us, not fear them. If we are successful, then our life will be fulfilled. And when we leave, our children will rejoin the way we touch their lives. This is the meaning of our existence: to touch others in a positive way and to be remembered as a person who values ​​life and improves the world.