What makes life worthwhile?

What makes life worthwhile?

This question came to mind after watching this video clip . Take a look yourself - what question comes to your mind after viewing it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MslbhDZoniY

Two things struck me after watching the clip:
First, life is worthwhile if we are continually inspired. What inspires you? I reckon it is different for each one of us. In that little video, as I watched the man attempting to get back up when he was down, I am inspired by strength of the human spirit embodied by him. Other things inspire us as well. I believe that we are also inspired by the grace, the wonder and beauty of life, which is all around us. And it costs nothing. It's that beautiful flower you see, the magnificent sunset over the horizon, the breeze in your face when you go cycling, it's the bright, sunny day with the bluest sky you see when you go to the park for a walk... it's the things all around us, that we so often in the rush of your daily lives, forget to stop and be still, and appreciate the present, to appreciate the beauty around us that has the capacity to inspire us all.

Second, life is worthwhile if we connect with other people genuinely. As I watched the man interact with his audience, I find myself asking, if I were him, in his position, what would make life worthwhile for me? Why would I want to continue living?
An insight flashed in my mind - it's about people to people connection. Life would be meaningful if I am able to genuinely connect with people and with as many different people as possible and make a positive difference in their lives somehow, or impact their experience in a positive way somehow, even if it's just for a brief moment. Something about connecting with another person makes life meaningful. Maslow was right - we are social creatures. We need social connection in our lives. Social interaction gives meaning to our lives. If I were him (the man in the video), life would be worthwhile if I can use what I have (in this case my disability) to inspire others, to impart certain life lessons (for example, his message was not to give up). In the process, I am able to connect with other people authentically and that makes my life meaningful.

If I think about it and extrapolate this further, I dare say that he is able to do and accomplish anything that an able-bodied person is able to do on the things that matter in life. In fact, I think that if people who are disabled is able to stop feeling sorry for themselves, they are able to live life joyously and be really happy because they are acutely sensitive and aware of what truly gives them meaning and what is truly worthwhile in life.

What are your thoughts?

Chris (teller)
http://www.storiesandreflections.com/