To be honest, I had to pause for a moment and really contemplate on this question. For the longest time I thought these two had similar meanings, but the more I observed my daily life and surroundings, I discovered that they are very different. There are many of us who wake up every single day doing the same routine. Eat, go to work, bathe, sleep, pay bills, and repeat. Day in and day out we continue this cycle and it even becomes robotic for some. This is what you call existing, which is basically doing what is required or needed to survive. How many of us are truly living? What I mean by living is: are you making the most out of your life by truly embracing it and fulfilling your purpose?
Recently, Chadwick Boseman passed away and for those of you who don’t know who he is, he starred in the Marvel movie, Black Panther. I know you’re probably curious as to how his death ties into living or existing, but I promise it will make more sense in a minute. I recently ran across an Instagram post by Lupita Nyong’o where she was talking about the impact that Chadwick had in her life in the short amount of time she spent with him. It was a pretty heartfelt and lengthy post so I won’t recap everything she said, but what did stand out to me was her saying, “When I was around Chadwick, I wanted to be better, less petty, more purposeful. He was fueled by love, not fear. He moved quietly, deliberately and without imposing himself or ideals on others. And yet, he also made damn sure his life meant something.”
Imagine the impact someone who was here only for 42 years of life made on people in that small amount of time. To us 42 years is a short life, but because he woke up each day on purpose and used his time wisely it felt infinite. I sat back and literally let her words resonate in the back of my mind. I had to ask myself this important question, “Am I fulfilling my purpose and making sure my life means something?” I hope I am, because to leave an impression in someone’s life as deep as he did meant that he WAS fulfilling his purpose! He lived his life quietly, but yet his presence was so loud that it left an echo after his passing! What inspired me even more so was the fact that he was secretly battling colon cancer for four years and still gave his all throughout his work! His costars had no idea he was not only fighting for his life onscreen, but off screen as well. He never let on to his struggle, but stayed focused and gave his all each and every single day!
What inspires you today? What fuels you to get out of bed in the morning and live your life on purpose? You are not here by accident! We were gifted with one life and we should maximize the time we have each and every day. Quit wasting your life by just existing and stand out in this world! Leave your mark and start living your best life!
Uninterrupted Thoughts 