The quality, not the longevity of one’s life is what is important.
Martin Luther King Jr.
MEANING OF THIS QUOTE
Everything we do in our lives, everything we achieve during our lifetime, and the legacy we leave behind boil down to one simple question: what value have we added to the world? By extension, one could even ask themselves if what they are doing is valuable or not. These questions are increasingly important in an age where life expectancy is the buzzword, but where hardly any emphasis is placed upon the quality of life.
WHAT DOES QUALITY OF LIFE MEAN?
A quality life comes in different shapes and sizes, so there’s no set answer to that question. To some, it could mean being kind to others, while others might interpret it as doing something that makes the world a better place. One person might judge themselves based on the number of friends they made, while someone else might focus on being productive at work. Regardless of what the yardstick of quality is for you, it is important that you put it into practice into your everyday life.
WHY DOES LONGEVITY MATTER MORE THAN HOW LONG ONE LIVES?
Well, for starters, because that’s what sets us apart from other life forms. I mean, if the singular objective of your life is to live up to a hundred years without giving any thought as to how you are going to spend those hundred years, then how are you different from, say, an elephant or a turtle? To elucidate this, let’s say one person spent ten years of their life working at a company where they were just another employee. On the other hand, an intern, who spent barely six months at a firm, did amazing things at their job and left a lasting impression on his superiors and peers. Assuming both of them will live to be roughly the same age, who do you think matters more in the grand scheme of things?
CONCLUSION
While good health ensures a long life, a clear mindset is the foundation stone of a life well spent. As soon as you realize what your calling, your raison d’être is, all your energy should go into fulfilling that purpose. The world only remembers those who did their bit to make it a better place, not those who led long, meaningless lives.
Martin Luther King Jr. was an American activist and philosopher. He once remarked: “The quality, not the longevity of one’s life is what is important.”