We often hear people say, “Live life to the fullest.” But what does that actually mean? For me, living life to the fullest is about fully embracing the present moment—and understanding the deep connection between spirituality, purpose, and joy.
So often, our minds like to judge our actions. On my spiritual journey, I’ve learned is that my brain often labels certain things as “good” and others as “bad.” But in reality, nothing has inherent meaning—everything simply is. This realization is liberating, and it’s a huge part of the life advice that has changed my perspective!
Now, I’m not suggesting you go rob a bank or engage in harmful behavior, but I do want to point out that our judgments about what’s “right” or “wrong” are just societal constructs. These beliefs are a collection of thoughts and programs that have been wired into us over time. The truth is, everything is neutral. Our judgments are often just our minds and egos trying to control things. Embracing this is key to unlocking your purpose in life.
If you’re like me, you may sometimes beat yourself up for certain actions. For example, my ego tends to play the victim, and my mind often creates a “parent-like” voice that chastises me. A few years ago, I realized that this kind of judgment was causing me unnecessary stress and pulling me further from my spiritual journey.
Take video games, for example. I’ve been an avid gamer for most of my life—at least, up until my early twenties. Recently, I started playing games again as a way to unwind. I’m an introvert by nature, so I enjoy solitary activities like walks, reading, or playing games.
However, my new self-improvement mindset led me to create an arbitrary rule that “video games are bad for me.” This judgment caused me to play and not enjoy it, because my mind would constantly tell me that it was “lazy” or a “waste of time.”
In reality, we can’t be productive all the time. Life is about balance. The key is to follow your highest joy and purpose. If that means relaxing and playing video games, then do it. If that means indulging in an ice cream sandwich or taking a long bath, then DO IT! Living life to the fullest doesn’t mean you have to be constantly on the go—bungee jumping or climbing mountains every other day. It means embracing what makes you happy, aligned with your spirituality and sense of purpose.
We all have our own unique definition of joy, and no one else can dictate what that looks like. That’s the beauty of life: we get to choose how we spend our time. We decide what makes us feel alive and connected to our greater purpose.
So, in conclusion: live your life to the fullest—not anyone else’s. Not your parents’, not society’s, not your spouse’s or your siblings’—but yours. If something lights you up and brings you joy, do it! But do it with full presence. Don’t let your mind slip in and tell you it’s wrong or that you “should” be doing something else.
Notice that voice, and bring yourself back to the moment. Embrace what you love, fully, unapologetically, and in alignment with your spiritual truth and life purpose.
