How do we measure our lives? :: essays research papers fc

There is a new Broadway show out called Rent, which poses a really thought-provoking question in its chorus line. "In 525,600 minutes, how do you measure a year in the life? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee, in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife?" How do people actually measure their lives? One could measure their lives by the experiences they have been through. It could tie in with the bumper sticker "The one who dies with the most toys wins" But, I believe the one who dies with the most toys doesnt win They just die. We cant just count the bit of trophies in the case, or how many a(prenominal) frequent flier miles someone has. I believe these do add to how to measure ones life, however, the most great way is in their deeds and their ability to contribute to others. One way in which someone can measure their lives is by the experiences they go through. In The recess of Matches, by Nicholson Baker, the main character writes down ev ents that he has gone through and what he was thinking about when they were happening. He records memories of when his children were growing up, or what happened to his duck in the backyard yesterday. Small events that are so important, experiences, really are what he measures his life by. Each chapter starts off in the morning when he gets up and lights a match. Its another day, another memory, and another match. I believe events one has seen in their lifetime greatly adds to how they can measure their life. Since I have lived in china, I believe that I have grown as a person and that my life has had more substantial meaning than before. I have experienced many new things, which have helped to broaden my mental scope on people of different cultures and nationalities. If I hadnt moved to China, I believe that I tranquil would have been very nave. Because of this great experience I have been given the opportunity to go through, I have grown more as a person, and I believe my life no w can be measured with more value.Wayne Dyer once said, The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away. I dont believe that one should measure the quality of a life based on career success, but on the net effect of it, and how it has enriched society.