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The meaning of life For 27 years Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was imprisoned for his belief in a free society. With courage he stood up for what he thought was right, despite the challenges he know he would face. He put his neck on the line for others and didn’t care about the naysayers. Nelson has lived his life for others rather than a pay check. He is a man of many achievements and successes. Once released from prison, Nelson continued his campaign to end apartheid. His hard work and life long effort paid off when all races were allowed to vote in the 1994 election. Nelson Mandela won the election and became president of South Africa. Coming to presidency was a huge achievement for Mandela. The greatest lesson we can learn from his life is to live a purposeful and fulfilling life. What is the meaning of life? We are asked this question many times throughout our adult life. For many the meaning of life is to have the “American dream”: material prosperity. The more money you have, the you with happier you are. As college students we are told to pick the best career. The best meaning one that provides for us economically in the long run. We are ultimately driven to get an education for money. People are so wrapped up in this daily life style of living for money and material things. It’s a no wonder we contently ask ourselves, “is this what life’s all about?” In my opinion life is more than about money. The meaning of life is about figuring out your purpose and fulfilling it. Living to help others rather than yourself is the ultimate goal. There is nothing gratifying in going to work merely for the pay check. What’s gratifying is going to work knowing your there for more than the money. “There is no passion to be found playing small in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living” ( Mandela). What Mandela meant by this quote is, don’t shrink your ambition. It’s so tempting to take it easy and play small. It is defiantly a lot easier because going after something demands so much time, effort, and possibly failure along the way. While playing small involves less work it comes back with that nagging thought in the back of your head that says , “is this what’s my life is all about ?”. Taking the tough road is obviously harder because, but it is also there you find the truly awesome triumphs and wonderful times that you may never have experienced otherwise. It is also there where you grow like a tree and spread your branches to live fully. Nelson Mandela was not only about bringing change to the world but to ourselves. We can choice to get caught up in Americans option of what an American dream is or we can create our own.
When you discover your purpose in life, just do it! Don’t sit around. Don’t waste time. Don’t waste your life. Be determined to live above the status quo. Don’t settle for an average life. Your vision determines how you spend your time. Your vision makes you a missionary of purpose. Master something or some things; a trade, skill, occupation, or a passion. Start well and end well and if you are worried that you haven’t started well, not to worry, start well the next day. Keep your focus on your purpose, your vision, your goal and become a purpose-driven person. Some would say only certain people are made to do great things. When the reality is we were all made to do great things. For example Jesus was a carpenter! How blue collar is that. This guy was a fix-it handy man that just so happened to be a savoir to billions today Weather you believe in religion or not is beside the point. The point is we are all made to do greatness , whether it’s in a big or small way. Among the walls of The Mackinaw Building at Lansing Community College lays the words of Nelson Mandela, “There is no passion to be found playing small in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living”. With these words I challenge you to question your own life. Why do you do the things you do? Are you living merely for yourself or others? I chose the major of psychology because I wanted to help people. I didn’t choice it because of money or praises from others. I chose psychology because it gives me the opportunity to make a difference in a human beings life. When I die I want to be able to say I fought the good fight. I want to make the most of my life by making the most of someone else’s. Chose to live a purposeful and meaningful life and you won’t be asking, “is this what life’s all about? “, anymore. Instead you won’t be questioning what life is about you will know.

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