LIVING BEYOND EXISTENCE

 

Happy Sunday, my dear friend. Today, I'll begin by telling you the story of a young man; at 28, Jide had a stable job, a decent apartment, and a routine that made everyone think he was “doing well”, but deep inside, he felt hollow, like a man watching his own life from a distance. One day, after hearing a street preacher shout, "Don't die with your song still in you!" something in him cracked open. That night, he dusted off an old journal and wrote down everything he once dreamed of, starting a youth foundation, traveling, performing poetry, making his life count. The next morning, he quit surviving and started living, one bold step at a time. Years later, as the founder of a movement that had touched thousands, he often said, "The day I stopped existing was the day I chose to answer the call of my own heart. That’s when life truly began."

In a world that glorifies busyness and survival, many have mistaken existence for life. We wake up, go to work, return home, eat, scroll through screens, and sleep, only to repeat the same cycle. But are we truly living, or merely existing? Mere activities are the only things that differentiate a lot of people from the dead, and that's the origination of the term "walking dead". When you take work, religion, and immediate family away from a lot of people, you realize that they're empty, they have nothing else to do, nowhere else to go, nobody else to love. A lot of people are in that position because of the fear of the unknown, some are just comfortable with living less (called a normal life) but what is the essence of a life lived merely in isolation. 

Existing is passive. It’s breathing without purpose, moving without meaning, and enduring without joy. It's waiting for the weekend, living for approval, and hiding in comfort zones. Existence is when you're physically present but mentally and emotionally absent. But living truly living is intentional. It’s waking up with purpose, embracing each moment with gratitude, pursuing passions that ignite your soul, and connecting deeply with people around you. Living means taking risks, learning from failures, and celebrating small wins. It’s about dancing in the rain, not waiting for the storm to pass. Living is choosing impact over impression, purpose over popularity, and meaning over mediocrity. 

There are few things you need to constantly remind yourself about when you're intentional about living. Firstly, you need to Ask yourself why are you doing what you do? If your "why" isn't strong, your "how" will fade. Secondly, you need to Create, don’t just consume, make something every week, write, paint, build, teach. Thirdly, you have to be present, the present moment is where life truly happens. Don’t miss it chasing the future or reliving the past. Forthly, you have to nurture real connections. Life’s beauty is found in people, invest in them. Lastly, and most importantly, serve, the surest way to feel alive is to make a difference in someone else's life.  You were not made to simply exist. You were created to live boldly, beautifully, and meaningfully. Don’t let time pass while your soul sleeps. Wake up. Live fully. Love deeply. And leave behind a life that echoes far beyond your years.

Thank you for reading today's message, do not forget to comment and share with your loved ones. Have a productive week, and see you next week.