Have you ever had one of those mornings where you wake up, go through the motions of brushing your teeth, sipping your coffee, and checking your emails, only to feel like you are just a ghost moving through your own life? Jack London’s words, The proper function of man is to live not to exist, hit me right in the heart because they speak to that hollow feeling of autopilot. To exist is to merely survive, to check off tasks, and to wait for the weekend. But to live is something much more vibrant, much more intentional, and much more beautiful. It is about finding the pulse in the mundane and choosing to engage with the world around us.

In our modern, busy lives, it is so incredibly easy to slip into a state of mere existence. We get caught in the loop of productivity, focusing entirely on the next milestone or the next deadline, forgetting that the purpose of all that work is to actually enjoy the life we are building. We treat our days like a checklist rather than a canvas. We are physically present, but our hearts are often miles away, worrying about tomorrow or mourning yesterday. When we do this, we aren't really participating in our own stories; we are just observing them pass by.

I remember a time when I felt quite lost in this exact way. I was so focused on making sure every little detail of my routine was perfect and that I was being as productive as possible that I stopped noticing the sunset. I was sitting on my porch one evening, and even though the sky was a breathtaking canvas of pink and gold, all I could think about was the laundry I hadn't folded. I was existing in that moment, but I wasn't living it. It took a quiet moment of realization to realize that the laundry would always be there, but that specific, beautiful twilight was a one-time gift. I had to learn to put down the mental checklist and just breathe in the colors.

Living requires us to be brave enough to be vulnerable and present. It means tasting your food, feeling the warmth of a friend's hand, and allowing yourself to be moved by a song or a sudden burst of laughter. It means making choices that align with your passions rather than just your obligations. It is about adding flavor to the substance of your days.

As you move through your week, I want to gently encourage you to look for those small windows of life. Next time you are doing something routine, like washing the dishes or walking to your car, try to pull your mind back into your body. Ask yourself if you are just passing through this moment, or if you are truly inhabiting it. You deserve more than just a life of survival; you deserve a life that feels deeply, wonderfully alive.