"Life is a prize, but to live doesn’t mean you’re alive."

Living life to its fullest and merely existing are two very different things. Think about it: we all get this one life, but not everyone actually lives it. Sometimes, people go through the motions, doing what’s expected without really engaging with the world around them, without passion or purpose. That’s the core of the idea here. Life is something precious, a prize, but if you’re just going through the daily grind without truly experiencing anything, are you really alive? Not so much.

This idea isn’t new. Throughout history, thinkers and writers have pointed out that simply being alive isn’t enough. You see it in ancient philosophies—take the Greeks, for instance—with Aristotle talking about living a ‘good life,’ which meant more than just survival. It was about striving for virtue and excellence. Fast forward a bit, and you’ll find existentialists like Jean-Paul Sartre echoing this sentiment, pushing the idea that we need to find our own meaning in life. They understood that living was about more than just breathing.

Let’s bring it down to a real-life example. Picture Jane, who works a nine-to-five job in a cubicle. She’s good at her job, but it doesn’t excite her. She wakes up, goes to work, comes home, watches TV, and then goes to bed. Her weekends are a blur of errands and catching up on sleep. Now, think about her friend, Emily. Emily also works a nine-to-five, but she spends her evenings painting, volunteering at a local shelter, and exploring new hobbies. She travels whenever she can, even if it’s just a weekend road trip. Both women are alive, but who’s really living?

How can you apply this wisdom to your own life? Start by identifying what makes you feel alive. What are you passionate about? What interests or hobbies make you lose track of time? It doesn’t have to be anything grand—small things count too. Maybe it’s cooking, or hiking, or writing. Make a conscious effort to include these activities in your routine. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start. Sometimes we put off living fully because we think we need the right conditions, but really, we just need to start.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend and you’re catching up. You’ve both had a long week at work, and you’re talking about how tired you are, how the days just seem to blend together. Your friend suddenly says, “You know, I’ve been thinking about what really makes me happy, and I’ve decided to start taking guitar lessons. I used to love it as a kid, and I want to get back into it.” Hearing this, you might feel a spark of excitement yourself. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, or take up dancing. Why not start now?

Living fully doesn’t mean you have to quit your job and travel the world—though if that’s your dream, go for it! It’s about finding joy and purpose in the everyday. It’s about making time for what you love, connecting with people, and being present in the moments that matter. So next time you find yourself stuck in a rut, remember: life is a prize. Don’t just settle for existing. Make sure you’re really living.