Our young philosopher Calvin, from Bill Watterson's 1980s and '90s comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, poses questions such as these on a regular basis. Calvin's depth of intellect and inquisitive nature challenge not only his toy stuffed tiger, Hobbes, but they challenge the strip's entire audience. Often satirical and at times heart-warming, Calvin can dig deeper into life's questions than the average six-year-old. Consider the following strip on life's fleeting existence.
Cartoon by Bill Watterson.
The final frame says it all, and it does so without a single word of commentary. As night has fallen, Calvin and Hobbes have spent the rest of the day staring at the sidewalk, pondering questions we should be asking ourselves. Here stands Calvin, enlightened by his own thoughts, yet troubled by their meaning. Should he be scared to take another step, or should he be eager to make the most of a new experience?
Calvin's questions about life may be deep, but allow me to answer them by posing a new question: is Calvin's realization good for him? I would argue most definitely yes, as long as he answers his own questions the right way. If Calvin can live the rest of his life to answer 'yes' to each of his questions, then this moment could be his biggest breakthrough ever.
In light of how short our time on this earth is, we should strive to make a difference each day! What I'm going to argue in this post is that our purpose, importance, and value lie in the positive influence we are able to have on the people around us. After all, what could be more meaningful than making a difference on another person? Life isn't about what we are able to accomplish for ourselves; it's about the impact we have on the people around us.
The world says that being successful is about excelling in school, getting a great job, and buying a nice house. While these are all wonderful things indicative of achievement through determination and effort, what do they all mean in the end? As you're taking the last step out of your square of the sidewalk, approaching that crack, what can you take with you?
This image is provided by Jason Fraley.
In the framed quote in the above picture from one of my favorite films, It's a Wonderful Life, Peter Bailey believes "All you can take with you is that which you've given away." This hits the nail on the head, and it should give Calvin the motivation to take another step instead of sitting back in existential pity.
I believe our lives have purpose and meaning. By living for others through kindness, generosity, and respect, our fleeting time on this earth may leave an impact long, long after we're gone. Whether it be committing to a friend or simply smiling and complimenting a stranger, these types of positive human interaction are worth more than anything we can achieve for ourselves. So in the words of our six-year-old philosopher, have you "made the most of these precious few steps?" It's never too late to start making an impact!
