The Meaning of Life

Every generation is known for something. From Gen X, to Millenials, to Gen Z, there are people who have contributed greatly in advancing the capabilities of our species. It really is incredible to consider how much progress we have made in such a short period of time on an evolutionary time scale. In the span of a couple generations, we have gone from horseback to self driving cars. Progress doesn't just happen, it's a result of the compounding effect of countless people devoting their whole lives just to play a tiny little role.

People will make the ultimate sacrifice in hopes that their name will live on. It's hard-wired in our DNA. We all want to live on in some way, whether it be through legacy, or bloodline. Similar to playing blackjack at a casino, it doesn't matter how far ahead you were at one point if you lose it all. You might be able to generate enormous abundance in your life, but if you blow it all on dumb stuff, people won't see you as a baller, they will see you as idiot who didn't care enough about those around you. We are judged not only on how we live our lives, but also on how the generation after us lives. We can all see this play out in those fathers who have given up on their own dreams, but still withhold hope in their child to be someone that they couldn't be. This can result in some really annoying, overbearing parents, but also parents who have a strong sense of purpose and passion to care for their children.

I don't see any better way to appreciate life than to truly come to terms with death. The only way to do that is to minimize regret, and to find comfort in knowing that those you leave behind are in good hands. I know suicide is a very touchy and nuanced topic, but this is exactly why I have a problem with it. Rather than trying to get back on the path of least regret, people choose to end it and possibly flood their parents life with grief. I can think of no clearer way to signal the failure of parenting than suicide, and this isn't always fair to the parent.

The parental desire to care for your kids is multilayered and incredibly strong for most. I have been fortunate enough to come from two parents who are strongly binded through the mutual assurance that my siblings and I get the best care we possibly can. I've never felt that there was any selfish motivation here, and that is the key difference between a healthy and unhealthy dynamic. I see it as my duty to my parents to reciprocate this effort before they pass. I want noting more than to reflect and amplify their love back at them so that they can be content in knowing that they gave me every resource and faculty I needed to live a purposeful, comfortable life.

As long as my parents know they've succeeded and I succeed in the same way, I see no reason to not welcome death. In my mind, whatever it takes to know you'll live on. Even though the dead people won't know or care if we commemorate them, (because they're dead) we should still do so, to signal to the living that they will live on. Spanish cultures have dia de los muertes and ofrendas to do this. The reality is, you don't want to live a life that sets you up poorly for death. If you don't have indoctrinated belief in the afterlife, seek comfort in setting up your bloodline properly.

"Livin life on the edge and I'm dangling my feet" - Lil Wayne

"Just hope your heaven sent, and you're hell proof" - also Lil Wayne