Karthick Gopal

The default state of the universe is death and darkness.

Look around the universe outside of earth and it’s vast empty space that’s a void of dark and cold. It’s a vast expanse of nothingness.

It falls upon us therefore to give meaning to life for the brief moment we are here. We do that by defining purpose to be that which we choose to pursue to give meaning to our existence.

As another year around the sun comes to a close, I have started to reflect a lot more on understanding this path we are all on on this planet. Why is there so much emptiness around us? I now wish everyone to have light in their lives and joy. If you choose nothing else choose something that brings you joy. Kids are a wonderful way to bring that but it’s not easy. But it’s hard to trade this choice with anything more significant. Should you choose not to have that is completely okay, let no one tell you otherwise.

You can choose your purpose. Whatever it might be because there’s not one all defining purpose of life except to live. 

That might be liberating but it can also be terrifying.

Your purpose is to live a life gifted to you. Why you have life doesn’t matter. What you should focus on is important and that has infinite possibilities.

If I were to advise you then I would say two things

Be helpful. Be useful to your fellow humans. Be an elevator of consciousness not a destroyer of one.

But most of all, choose what fulfils you. If you’re lost for what to do or seek purpose then in the words of Steve Jobs, “make something wonderful”.

It’s how you show those that came before and the ones that come after you that you cared for and were a part of the brief flicker.

Happy birthday to me. And joyous living to you.