People always ask me “Duncan, what is the meaning of life,” by which I mean that no one has ever asked me that question, I just felt the need to explain to you my opinion.

Life is a playground of emotion. However, those playing on said playground are of different ages. Older, younger, but some of us never grow out of the playground. To live is to have set foot there, and to leave, a part of you dies as well.

Jane Jacobs says in her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, “It is neither love for nature nor respect for nature that leads to this schizophrenic attitude. Instead, it is a sentimental desire to toy, rather patronizingly, with some insipid, standardized, suburbanized shadow of nature.” Now, although this is in reference to suburbanization of cities, I believe that this does have some relevance in our lives. We, as humans, do tend to toy with the things we cherish so deeply. There is not often enough respect for that which carries us through our day to day, the value of why we wake up. While this is undoubtedly a human flaw, it brings to light a common desire, and a just one at that. Mortals which reside on this plane all have a desire for a purpose, no matter what it is, there is always a nagging grab that takes us through life as more than a sack of meat. What I have observed myself is that the connections we make with others is time and again that purpose. When you get up in the morning there is always a reason, else you would simply sleep the day away. “I need to make money to support my family,” or, “I can’t wait to see Bill at work!” Whatever the case may be, your relationships carry greater meaning to more than just your life.

I would argue that the greatest feeling is to be loved. Over all else, that is what you feel deepest. Whether longing or content, it is always there, wanted or not. To feel the pain of love, to feel the elation of great affection towards someone. To feel means that you are alive. I can feel so I am alive, and to feel is my greatest purpose. Was I placed here on this planet? Am I in a simulation? What higher power could possibly create a being which feels so profoundly? All these questions, but what does it really matter if my greatest gift is right here in my soul? A soul is a metaphorical thing. It does not exist, but it is what drives human emotion. To feel is all I need, because all of the human systems could come crashing down but if my company is agreeable, then my life is good.

Love creates ties though, and ties restrict freedom, which is what some live for. So it is that the meaning of life must be different for everyone. Rebecca Solnit in her book Wanderlust says “I like walking because it is slow, and I suspect that the mind, like the feet, works at about three miles an hour. If this is so, then modern life is moving faster than the speed of thought, or thoughtfulness.” The best advice I can give is that life does not get any longer. Who’s to say what happens after death, if we are really alive at all even? So, move slowly. Take your sweet ass time because when you grow old and look back upon your life, do you remember your adventures, your wealth, your freedom? Or do you remember who you shared that with? Love with every fiber of your being because eventually it will end, and regret you shall. But time passes, faces fade, and people drift away, so decide now what is most important to you, and follow it everywhere.