Life is not a zero sum game

As I’ve grown older, I’ve often found myself asking, “What is life about?” While I’m not sure there is a single, definitive answer, I believe the meaning of life is shaped by our personal beliefs, experiences, and values.

From my own experiences, I’ve come to understand that life is about:

• Personal Growth and Self-Discovery: Emphasizing introspection, learning from challenges, and pursuing our passions to become the best version of ourselves.

• Connections and Relationships: Building meaningful connections with others, fostering love, friendship, and mutual support.

• Purpose and Contribution: Creating an impact by advancing knowledge, helping others, and leaving a legacy that resonates beyond ourselves.

• Experiencing: Living in the present, appreciating the beauty of life, and seeking happiness in the small and grand moments alike.

• Adaptation and Resilience: Navigating obstacles, learning from setbacks, and evolving in the face of life’s challenges.

• Searching for Meaning: Reflecting on our actions and choices to find deeper significance and purpose in our daily lives.

The beauty of life lies in its vast potential—its capacity to offer opportunities for growth, connection, and fulfillment. What makes life meaningful doesn’t have to come at the expense of others. Life is not a zero-sum game. In a zero-sum game, one person's gain is another person's loss, creating a competitive dynamic. While this applies to certain areas like games or economic models, life offers so much more. When we embrace collaboration, generosity, kindness, and the ability to inspire others, we discover that joy and success are abundant and can be shared by all.

When we wish others well, the universe has a way of returning that positive energy to us. The acts of kindness, goodwill, and positivity towards others often create a ripple effect, bringing goodness back into our own lives in ways we may not always expect. It’s a reminder that what we put into the world can come back to us in various forms.

In Sanskrit, Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu, is about a universal wish for the well-being and happiness of everyone, transcending boundaries of individual self-interest. it reminds us that our well-wishes for others don’t just exist in isolation. They contribute to the collective good, creating a ripple effect of positivity. The universe, or the world around us, often responds in kind, bringing happiness, peace, and well-being into our own lives when we practice compassion and goodwill towards others.