Why do we live? What is the purpose for life? Why do you go to school? Why do you study? Why do you wake up every morning and do the same thing every day? Why do you go to your classroom? Why do you write tests? Why do we have a school? Why do we have anything?

What is the meaning of life?

This is the big question for all people. Every person, in every country, in every time, had this question. Why do you and I have a life? Why do we live?

Maybe your parents have an answer. Maybe your teachers have an answer. Maybe your grandparents and other old people have a good answer. You should ask them.

The world has so much damage. There is war. There is hate. There is trouble. There are many times when people die and there is no reason. So, what is the meaning of this crazy world of danger and violence?

We could look at some old ways of thinking about the world. We could look at philosophy. We could read all the old books of Plato and Aristotle. We could study religions. We could study Islam and Christianity. We could study Buddhism and Hinduism. We could read the books of great thinkers like Shakespeare and great Japanese writers and poets.

We could go for a walk in nature and maybe the trees and wind can tell us. We could see a waterfall and look at a rainbow. We could enjoy flowers, birds, and the changing colors of the seasons. We could travel the whole world. We could talk to everyone in every country and ask them for their advice. We can ask everyone, “Why do we live?” and “What is the meaning of my life?” Maybe you can get some information.

The question is deep. The question is difficult. But it is a good question, even if we do not find an easy or quick answer. Maybe the best questions in our lives do not have easy answers.

Maybe we should ask a better question. Let’s ask, “What is the meaning of MY life?”

Maybe the meaning of your life is to have a dream.
Maybe the meaning of your life is to grow and find a happy life.
Maybe the meaning of your life is to learn many new things.
Maybe the meaning of your life is fight for justice.
Maybe the meaning of your life is to be kind, to show love, and to help other people.

At Otemae you have to learn and study so many things. And you have so many tests. But the big part of your education here is to help you think about this very important question. Why do you live? Also, you have this life, so what do you want to do with this precious life?

You can choose. You can choose your own way.

Your study is the beginning of wisdom. In wisdom you may learn new words like, “forgiveness”, “equality”, “knowledge”, “duty”, “responsibility”, “truth”, and “purpose”. All of these words may have some part of an answer to our big question. The homework you have for many, many years is to think about these things and to answer the question, “What is the meaning of My life”.

So, search for your truth, with passion, with fire, and never, never give up. Good luck with your answer, and don’t worry if you only have a part of an answer. Learning is for your whole life.