Sometimes, when the world feels too heavy or too quiet, I find myself staring at the stars and wondering why we are all here. William Cowper’s words remind us that life doesn't come with a guarantee of comfort or a list of rewards. It is a strange, lopsided deal, isn't it? We arrive empty-handed, yet we find ourselves deeply indebted to the very air we breathe and the moments we experience. There is a certain vulnerability in admitting that we owe everything to existence, but there is also a profound beauty in that realization. It invites us to stop asking what life can do for us and start asking what we can offer to the world.
In our everyday lives, it is so easy to get caught up in the pursuit of personal gain, safety, or comfort. We spend so much energy trying to build walls around our hearts to ensure we aren't disappointed by life's unfairness. But if we only ever focus on protecting ourselves, we end up living very small, very lonely lives. True joy doesn't live in the hoard of our accomplishments or the safety of our routines. Instead, it hides in those moments when we lose ourselves in something much larger than our own ego. It is found when we give our time, our energy, and our very essence to a cause, a person, or a dream that matters.
I remember a time when I felt quite lost, much like a little duckling drifting without a pond. I was so focused on my own anxieties and making sure I was 'okay' that I had forgotten how to connect with the world around me. Everything felt transactional and cold. Then, I decided to start volunteering my time to help others share their stories. I began pouring my energy into making sure others felt heard. In that process of 'squandering' my precious time and emotional energy, I didn't feel depleted; I felt replenished. I found that by giving myself away to a purpose, the emptiness I felt was replaced by a vibrant, glowing sense of meaning.
When we stop trying to hoard our lives and start spending them on things that resonate with our souls, the bargain of existence finally starts to make sense. It is an invitation to be brave, to be messy, and to be generous with our very existence. I want to encourage you today to look for that one thing that makes you forget yourself. Whether it is art, helping a neighbor, or nurturing a garden, find a way to pour your heart into it. Don't be afraid to lose yourself in something beautiful, because that is exactly where you will find your true happiness.