The answer to the question of what fills your life with vitality is both simple and complex. While many might enumerate values, creativity, support, self-realization, dreams, and achievements, there’s often something missing from these lists—something simple and earthly. The question, after all, is not "what fills your life with meaning," but "what fills your life with life." It’s about the vitality, the total energy of the body, which is often missing in those experiencing depression.
Observing Vitality in Nature
Observers have long noted the manifestation of vitality in animals. Consider the young elk dashing through a snow-covered field, leaping and bending mid-air, only to pause and catch its breath before starting again. Or the buffalo that, in a playful mood, jumps onto the ice, sliding contentedly. And the panda, brimming with joy, bouncing up a slope and rolling back down like a cheerful black and white ball.
These animals demonstrate a simple joy derived from their physical interactions with the world around them. No grand values, no need for self-realization—just pure, unadulterated life.
The Sensory Experience of Life
To truly feel alive, one must engage with life through the senses. Here are some ways to immerse yourself in the vitality of life:
Smell: The scent of autumn leaves, a newly bought book, summer rain on dusty streets, the fresh air after a thunderstorm, coffee brewing on a dreary day, the aroma of fresh apples, the raw smell of the earth, or the nostalgic scent of PVA glue.
Touch: The satisfaction of bursting bubble wrap, the feel of a child’s gums, warm beach sand, sun-warmed stones, the softness of a loved one’s body, the coziness of a warm blanket after a shower, or the sensation of wind in your hair.
Hearing: The gentle sound of the sea, the crunch of snow underfoot, spontaneous singing from another room, the rustle of leaves in the wind, distant airplane engines, the rhythmic clatter of train wheels, bird songs, the gurgle of water over a campfire, or the soothing sound of rain on the roof.
Sight: The sight of yellow-green leaves on wet asphalt, a rainbow after a storm, a smile from a beautiful stranger, water droplets on roses, the stars in the night sky, sparkling ice on a sunny day, the deep autumn sky, or the glow of city lights at night.
Taste: The tang of matches, the sweetness of a peach, the taste of pine nuts, rainwater, brewed rosehip tea, the last piece of candy on a hike, or the taste of a cold metal gate in winter.
Embracing Simple Joys
These simple sensory experiences form the foundation of our lives. If we lose our appreciation for them, we lose the ability to celebrate life itself. All the grand achievements and lofty goals become meaningless without this sensory engagement.
Taking Time to Live
It’s crucial to pause amidst the rush of life to see, hear, taste, feel, and breathe in the essence of life. This sensory engagement is what fills us with vitality. Without it, we cannot truly be alive.
What Fills You with Life?
What sensory experiences bring you joy and vitality? Take a moment to reflect on the simple pleasures that make you feel truly alive.