"La vida no tiene significado a priori. Depende de ti darle un significado, y el valor no es más que el significado que eliges."

The core idea here is that life doesn't come with built-in meaning or purpose. It's not like we're handed a guidebook at birth that tells us what our lives should be about. Instead, it's up to each of us to decide what our lives mean to us individually. And the value of our lives is directly connected to the meaning we choose to give them. It's kind of empowering, don't you think?

This way of thinking has roots in existential philosophy, particularly in the works of Jean-Paul Sartre. Sartre and his contemporaries were grappling with a world that felt increasingly chaotic and uncertain, especially in the wake of the two World Wars. They were pushing back against the idea that any external force — be it God, society, or tradition — could dictate the meaning of an individual's life. For them, meaning was something created from within, not handed down from above.

Now, let’s dive into a real-life example. Imagine a person named Maria. Maria has always loved painting. She spends hours every day working on her craft, even though she knows she might never make a living from it. To some people, this might seem like a waste of time. They might say, "Why not do something more practical?" But for Maria, painting is what gives her life meaning. It’s what makes her feel alive and connected to the world. She chooses to value her art, and in doing so, she creates her own sense of purpose. Her life has meaning because she decided it does.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? Start by asking yourself what truly matters to you. What are the things that make you feel passionate and engaged? Don’t worry about what others think you should value. This is your call. Once you've identified these things, make them a priority. Invest your time and energy in them. You'll find that as you do this, your life starts to feel more meaningful and fulfilling.

Let me share a little story to bring this all home. Think about a guy named Jake. Jake works a typical 9-to-5 job in an office. It pays the bills, but it doesn’t light him up inside. Outside of work, though, Jake volunteers at a local animal shelter. He’s there every weekend, rain or shine, caring for the animals and helping them get adopted. For Jake, this volunteer work is what gives his life meaning. It’s not his job or the money he makes. It’s the joy he feels when he sees a dog find a forever home, the gratitude he gets from the shelter staff, and the sense of purpose that comes from knowing he’s making a difference. Jake has chosen to value his time at the shelter, and that choice gives his life meaning.

So, think about what makes you tick. What are the activities or causes that make you feel alive? Focus on those. Remember, there’s no predefined script you have to follow. You get to write your own story. And in doing so, you give your life its unique and precious meaning.