I believe that there are two types of people in this world.
There are those who exist, and then there are those who live.
Which one are you?
To exist is easy. It is like being on autopilot where every day tends to repeat itself. In this state, you do not step outside of your comfort zone, you do not take risks, and therefore you do not grow.
People who exist are more likely to stay in the same unhealthy relationship, go to the same job they dread, and simply serve their time in the game of life.
To live, on the other hand, is much more challenging. Here, you allow yourself to be vulnerable and you take risks. If you are not happy, you do something about it. You understand that you are the only person in a position of power to create a life that is yours.
Essentially, to live is to feel
Rather than just going through the motions, you are willing to go through the emotions.
My challenge was that I did everything in my power to make sure that I did not feel. I escaped painful emotions through alcohol, gambling, and various destructive behaviors. However, in the same way that you can only stuff so much into a garbage bag before it tears open, I could only suppress so much until the pain spilled out. Life became unmanageable, and I had to make a conscious decision to live.
After spending years suffering in silence, I finally decided to put a voice to my pain. I stopped running and gave myself permission to feel. In time it became evident that feeling leads to healing.
I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what life is all about, and I have reached a conclusion:
Life is about living.
So I ask you again, are you existing or are you living?