What is the True Meaning of Life?

What a perfect question to ask someone you just met, right?

A while back I was in a meeting with a group of people to discuss a project. The person who is a stakeholder on this project, I found out, that she is sensitive to people’s “being” and believes in the role of the spirit world. No, no, not witchcraft or anything. Just that she has the connections so to speak. I was intrigued. And so, just like any experienced interviewer would do, We start something easy.
I learned a little bit, cracked a little smile, and asked “So, let’s start with a light question, followed by “What is the true meaning of life?” and immediately I kind of laughed, almost about to say “I’m just kidding”. Before I was able to do that, she replied, “That life is about you against yourself”.

On another project, I was working on shooting a promo video for a protein bar company, and the subject is a gold medalist long-distance runner.

You see, I have zero ideas about running, especially long-distance running. So I got on the net and researched so many things about long-distance running, what are the challenges, and what they feel at any time during the race. I was especially curious about that. But then I found some blogs, articles, etc. They informed me from their writings that there comes to a point where the runners would “hit the wall”, and that’s where the beauty of long-distance running is about. It’s about you pushing yourself. Pass the pain, the exhaustion, and the mind telling you otherwise. During the recording of the athlete, I asked about the mindset that she had when she hit the wall. She described it, “My brain would say that I should just quit. Why even do this over and over again?.. My body is just about to break on me. But ultimately, in the race, I’m just thinking of being the best version of myself. The fastest and strongest version of myself.

Both times I heard this, I had to stop for a few moments and breathe in.

Symbolizing the idea of the race against one’s shadow for the athlete’s film.

In this world, we are living against ourselves. Our experiences and beliefs, our excuses, fears, and feelings at times limit ourselves. We can’t move forward because of the past.

To me now, the meaning of life is to be the best version of you despite your past.

Let’s give that a try.