Personal Reflection
This project came at a very interesting time for me. Struggling with motivation, dealing with a nagging feeling of not living up to my potential, being thrown into the blunt meaninglessness of the Universe in terms of existentialism was the catalyst to unraveling my crisis. Existentialism teaches that it is up to the individual to recognize the Absurd (the meeting of the meaninglessness of the universe in the face of the human desire to find meaning), take responsibility for their own actions, and create meaning and purpose within their own lives. It can be difficult to confront the feeling of one having lost their purpose, and existentialism is a productive, albeit blunt, solution to this personal plight. The question of one's purpose in life and whether one is, or even can, lead a meaningful life, is another thing entirely. We read many articles, like one by Jennifer Aaker, who proposed that one cannot lead a meaningful life and be happy, and watched the movie Happy, which offered the idea that happiness is only 50% in the hands of the individual, with the other 50% being determined by genetics. In the movie, it stated that 40% of happiness comes from varying the day-to-day, and trying to find the "spice of life." I tend to agree with the movie in this way. Stepping out of your comfort zone can bring a deep sense of accomplishment and self-worth. From this project, one of the most striking things that I remember reading came from "the lesson of the moth." The moth dances with the flame and, when asked why, he frankly replies, "It is better to be happy for a moment and to be burned up with beauty than to live a long time and be bored all the while." I loved this quote, because it brought to mind the feeling of being entirely enveloped by a moment of happiness, beauty, passion, and the white of a flame before the end of it all. And that would be an excellent last moment in this world.
|
Questions to Think About
- Would I be happy as a traditionally successful person?
- Could I give up the pursuit of my passion in favor of a stable, stress-free career?
- Is it the person or the place that brings the most happiness?
- Does preparing for an existential crisis relieve the burden of the experience in the future?
- Should a meaningful life be judged in the mind of the individual or the people surrounding them?