Life is very interesting, to say the least. We start out with very simple needs – food, warmth, safety. And it just gets more complicated from there.

As we grow, we need more, use more, give more, interact more. Simplicity becomes complexity and we adapt to the changes as they slowly or rapidly occur. Each decision, each experience, leads us down a unique path, which we have never seen before. Each moment will be different and will have a significance all its own.

It is hard to be prepared for such unknown events. They will always be surprising. Sometimes in a joyful way. Sometimes in a sad way. But good or bad, happy or sad, cheerful or sorrowful, life is always a gift. A gift to be treasured, shared and learned from. It is certainly not to be abused, wasted or hoarded.

Life constantly speaks to hope for the future. It is forever producing young to encourage growth and evolution in the world. Adaptation is equal to survival and so life goes on. It is an ever-changing new way to begin again, try a different idea, explore a unique concept for existence, see what might work. And if that fails, try again.

Life is a teacher of perseverance, strength and love. Ask any elder in your family and they will tell you how they have learned and played by the rules of life. They will also be glad to explain to you what they have learned about winning, losing, laughing, crying, loving, hating, living, dying. They know because life teaches everything. It is up to us to pay attention.

We also transmit life to others. We teach what we know and pass it on to the younger ones. We do this mostly by living our best life and being the best example we can to those who watch us. Whether we know it or not, life flows through us in everything we do, usually in the most simple things.

Life is a conundrum. It can often be at odds with our dreams and hopes. It is often difficult, hard, seemingly unlivable even.

We can be confused as to the purpose of our life – what is it all about anyway? Is our whole destiny simply to live out our years as best we can and then die?

Should it not be that we act today in such a way that tomorrow we are a much better person? I certainly hope I can do that every day of my life. Life gets messy, which makes it hard, but that is my hope.