There came a point in my life when I viewed prosperous, rich and prestigious people with envy that I become obsessed with a desire to be one of them until I came to visit a cemetery in the province during All Soul's Day, where I saw the cadaver of a dead man whom they said was once one of the most influential. All I saw were plain ashes and broken bones, no solid body. Then I thought for myself, that someday I will be like this man. Then why should I be obsessed of beauty, power, money, prosperity when they are all temporary. These thoughts brought me to a deep meditation, then all my envy left me and my obsessions were transformed to a search for meaning and purpose rather than a search for prosperity.
Have you observed that when people gather to pay their last respects to a departed friend or loved one, we hear them recount their beautiful memories with the dead? Princess Diane's death was mourned by the whole world. People from different walks of life came out into the open recounting the little acts of kindness wherein the princess touched their lives. Rico Yan, a Filipino actor who died at the peak of his movie career was likewise mourned by many not because of his being celebrity but because of some acts of humility and kindness that touched certain lives. These two people and many other great martyrs, heroes and even unsung heroes left behind some legacies that people will treasure in their heart. How about you? How do you want to be remembered when you are gone? What legacy do you want to leave behind?
The first step in our search for meaning and direction is to reflect on the very purpose of our existence and our ultimate destiny. Life becomes meaningful to the extent that we are able to comprehend and actualize the significance and the very purpose of our existence.