from The Democrat and Chronicle

Discover the meaning of life

Talia Gonzalez
Teen Council member

Living in this day and age brings more than just awareness. It brings almost an involuntary knowledge of the world around us.

Even at the age of 10, my friends and I were aware of the politics around us.

How could you not in 2001? The Sept. 11 tragedy left this country reeling. And we knew it.

Our parents couldn’t hide the look in their eyes.

There aren’t many ways to react to war. And I am including not only America’s war, but other wars all over the world as well. Holy and unholy. Racial and civil.

And why people fight is in direct relation to what they believe in. And what you believe in is where you find personal meaning. What your purpose on earth is.

And of course this varies from person to person.

The meaning of life according to my favorite author James Frey is “Whatever you want it to be.”

I agree completely. I’m still young and already I have learned so much about life. I have learned when to let go and when to hang on. I have seen and experienced true beauty. And the best part is that I am nowhere near being finished yet.

When I was in 11th grade, a very good friend told me that she thought the meaning of life was to simply experience.

We were sitting in our Human Relations class and that was the topic of discussion. And as Mr. Ruggeri gripped his podium he asked the class, “What is your meaning of life?” And that was when she told me — experience.

I have adopted that same ideal in everything I do.

I try to incorporate that philosophy in all my decisions. Whether it is to experience religion, different lifestyles or points of view.

And experiencing branches off into so many other things. It is such a blanket word.

Anything can be experienced. Being poor or wealthy. The choice of whether to live life on the edge.

In one lifetime one will experience so much.

It is in itself a religion because everyone is devoted to it in one way or another. Without it, there wouldn’t be any insight or purity.

Teen Council members advise the editorial board and write occasional columns.

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