Chandigarh, Aug. 22 — Life, described by many as both a gift and a test, continues to stir questions that remain unanswered despite centuries of reflection. From philosophers to ordinary people navigating their daily struggles, the meaning of life has been the most persistent inquiry of human existence.
Unlike political debates or economic policies that may be time-bound, the subject of life is universal, pressing itself upon every individual in quiet moments of solitude or during storms of crisis. People often measure life not by years lived but by feelings experienced, purposes pursued and inner battles fought.
“Life is not simply the sum of biological processes. It is the awareness of what we feel, the choices we make, and the struggles that shape us,” said a Delhi-based psychologist, reflecting on how her patients describe their own existence.
At its core, life is both tender and demanding. Feelings often define the landscape: joy in connection, sorrow in loss, peace in acceptance, and unrest when faced with uncertainty. Many argue that emotions are not by-products but the very markers of life’s reality, giving shape to its meaning.
Purpose, too, remains central. Across societies, people frame their lives around goals — from nurturing families to building careers, serving communities or creating art. Yet, the pursuit of purpose is rarely straightforward. “We imagine purpose as a fixed destination, but most of the time, it is a moving target,” noted a sociologist. “People revise it constantly, depending on circumstances, age and the battles they face within.”
The inner battle, perhaps, is what makes life universally complex. Individuals often fight against doubts, regrets, or a sense of inadequacy. For some, this conflict is visible in decisions about work, relationships, or identity. For others, it remains hidden — a quiet struggle to reconcile expectations with reality.
History records countless thinkers grappling with these questions. Ancient Indian texts spoke of dharma — a moral duty guiding one’s path. Greek philosophers debated whether happiness was rooted in virtue or pleasure. Modern psychology has framed it as self-actualisation, the pursuit of one’s fullest potential. Yet, even with these frameworks, life rarely fits into tidy definitions.
For the ordinary individual, the question often appears in fleeting moments — in the silence after a loss, the exhaustion after hard work, or the quiet satisfaction of small achievements. “Life feels like both a burden and a blessing,” said a college student in Punjab. “I don’t always know my purpose, but I know I have to keep walking.”
Religious traditions have long provided answers, promising meaning in divine design or eternal destiny. Secular philosophies, on the other hand, suggest that meaning must be made by each individual through choice and responsibility. In both views, life is not passive — it demands engagement.
What makes life remarkable is its refusal to be predictable. Triumphs can follow despair, and clarity can emerge from confusion. Every stage of existence — childhood wonder, youthful ambition, midlife reflection, or old-age wisdom — carries its own set of feelings and inner tests.
Scientists describe life in terms of cells, energy and survival. Poets describe it as a fleeting dream. Citizens across the world describe it in terms of daily resilience. The convergence of these perspectives underscores one truth: life is as much about perception as it is about fact.
“Ultimately, life is lived in moments,” said a retired teacher in Chandigarh. “We spend years asking big questions, but the answers come in small flashes — a child’s smile, an act of kindness, or even the courage to face another day.”
As societies advance and technology redefines human interaction, the search for meaning remains unchanged. The battles within may evolve, but the longing to understand life, to feel it fully, and to give it purpose continues to bind humanity together.
For now, life itself remains the headline — an ongoing story written daily in joy and struggle, in clarity and doubt, in each person’s quiet search for what it all truly means.
