i read this from my friend's blog...its something interesting
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"Alan: Generally, I've always thought that a normal life would be unfulfilling. After all, who wants to just get older, have a good job, a good wife, kids, and a dog? (dog optional) I'd think that wouldn't be enough. Isn't there something more to life? Where's the struggle for humanity, the quest to save the earth, the battle for justice, the war on poverty, the crusade against oppression? An ordinary life doesn't have any part of that.

The thing is, though, is that it's difficult to define just what constitutes a "normal life." A good job? There are plenty of people that are unhappy with their jobs. A good spouse? Look at the divorce rate. Kids? It's hard work, you know, to raise good kids, kids you can be proud of and stuff. Dog? Well, okay. Maybe the dog part is a little ordinary.

I won't deny that there's always that part of me that envisions my future self doing things like inventing new technologies, being part of some groundbreaking research, seeing my name in the R&D section of Discover one day. That would be cool beyond all means. But I doubt that's going to happen. To me, at least. And I can say this frankly, realistically, and without bitterness.


Because my point is, if, in twenty years, I can say without hesitation, "Damn, I love my job"... if coming home to my family gives me a sense of relief and belonging and appreciation... and if I can look in the mirror and smile at the grey hairs and say with, oh, a sort of happy resignation that I'm aging gracefully...

...then, I think, I'll consider my life to have been pretty extraordinary."

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my view on what consists of a normal and meaningful life.....

its so hard to define a "normal" and "meaningful" life because everyone is different, everyone has their own definitions, and everyone has their own right of will to decide what is "meaningful" and what is not....however, there are some general attributes that can be associated with this issue...some things that all of us can do to start of with is take some sort of interest in someone else's lives...not just family or friends or the guy down the hall ...but someone who is in a much worse state that we will ever be...although, this doesnt have to consist of just volunteer work ...it can even meaning helping out someone by giving them a meal....or even as simple as talking to them for a few minutes...talking to homeless people (although it may seem scary or uncomfortable) might just cheer up their day...i know this from volunteering at the American Red Cross two summers back...as much as it seems rather pointless...these people hardly have any interaction with the outside world and are usually searching for change to buy lunch....a small talk can be most reassuring and most of all ..it doesnt cost anything but a few minutes of your time...if we cant even spare this...then what type of people are? sometimes i look at so many people here and feel that they can be doing so much more with their life...this is just one thing that can add some "meaning: to your life....

although most people consider their life to be meaningful if they have a nice family, a well paying job, a spacious house, and ofcourse a decent social circle..it is not everything....having money can make you happy, i agree..but is that all we want with our life...having a nice and loving family is definitely somethign that we all hope for...but that is not all...these maybe be the basic or perhaps the intermediate steps...but if we just take 2 more steps up the ladder and do somethign more...our lives will be much more valuable....when you are gone...how do you want people to remember you by? by the amount of money you earned? by the amount your family loved you? by the size of your house? ...i dont think anyone with common sense would want to be remembered that way...something along the lines of "Mr. X was such a noble and caring person because he did so much for his community and valued the lives of others before his own.." ...

a meaningful and normal life can almost be accomplished be anyone..its just the simple thought..the simple actions...that can go a very long way...and its never too early or too late to start...getting involved with the community, interacting with the community that needs dire help (shelters, soup kitchens, and other volunteer areas) can definitely serve as the stepping stone to having a meaningful life...finally, taking such an initiative will not only make you feel proud but you will defeintely respect yourself for whatever you have done....it is a feeling of joy and it can be as simple as greeting your neighbor to collecting funds for a relief project...remember you can serve as a role model for other people....you are only given one chance in life...why not spend it productively and learn from it at an early age ..then wait till you are retired and realize that you have wasted it....you dont have to be the smartest person....or the richest ..or the most popular...even an ordinary person ...like you and me...can lead a meaningful life..."to lead a meaningful life or not to lead a meaningful life"...that is the question left to you now...