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Based on the diversity of cultures and professions in our society and our world, we can observe that each of us has a different interpretation of life. In fact, I believe that many of us have asked this question numerous times throughout our lifetime. In a recent outing with my friends, one of them has commented that as he gets on in years, it seems that there are much more to life than money.

Long before this friend of mine has made this statement, I have already figured this out. This is probably why I am an educator today. This is by choice and not due to circumstances. I see life as an opportunity given to me to nurture students to be the best that they can be. But more than that, life to me is an opportunity for me to engage in altruism and to serve. There seems to be some negative connotations associated with the phrase "to serve" but personally, I feel that all the great leaders are great because they serve. Just think of how Mahatma Gandhi won the hearts of others when he served the people of India by leading them in their fight for the independence of India. Mother Teresa won the respect of others through her willingness to serve the sick and the diseased in Calcutta, India.

I have been pondering about this question ever since I was a teenager. My peers always find it strange that I will ponder on such a question. I think nothing about it and it was not until many years later that I realised that I was in fact ahead of my time when I chanced upon a book titled "The meaning of life" at an international book fair. The title of the book stood out (probably because of the fact that I have been trying to answer this questions for years) and I pulled the book from the shelf. While browsing through the book, I discovered that the book is a compilation of various renowned individuals' writing on the meaning of life when they are in their prime. These individuals include writers, philosophers, religious leaders and people of various professions and from all walks of life. This is the moment when I realised that the enigma of life has been examined by people all around the world and not just by me.

I immediately purchased the book and after reading it, I realised that I am right: each of us have our own interpretations when it comes to the meaning of life. However, one surprising observation is that there seems to be a common point that is made by most of the writers. That is, regardless of who we are, what professions we are in, where we live, which culture we

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