Life is a gift. Didn’t we choose our parents? Didn’t we choose our first breath? Didn’t we build our heart from scratch? Yet, we are here not by chance but by choice. Capable of love, of joy, of imagination and of creation. This reflection on life as a precious gift is written by Augustin Joseph, Teacher, Mount Assisi Higher Secondary School, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India.
Augustin Joseph, teacher at Mount Assisi Higher Secondary School, Bhagalpur, is the author of Walk the Talk. He is also a creative ability test (CAT) instructor, passionate about painting and music, with skills in playing the organ, tabla, and triple drum.
joseph.augustin@rediffmail.com
Life Is a Gift to Be Unwrapped
Life is a precious gift, shimmering with possibilities, lessons, and moments of joy waiting to be discovered. Just like a carefully wrapped present, it holds surprises that reveal themselves only when we embrace each day with curiosity, gratitude, and courage. Every experience—whether sweet or challenging—is a layer of wrapping that, once gently unfolded, uncovers deeper understanding, growth, and the simple beauty of existence. By living fully, appreciating small joys, and learning from every twist and turn, we begin to see that life itself is not just a series of days but a magnificent treasure meant to be unwrapped and cherished with wonder.
The First Gift: Existence Itself
Just by being born, we’ve already beaten astronomical odds. There are billions of stars, planets, and galaxies—yet we are here, conscious and capable of feeling, thinking and loving. Life didn’t owe us anything, yet we were given this extraordinary chance to exist. That’s the first gift: existence itself.
We didn’t earn it. We didn’t request it. We woke up one day in a body, with senses, emotions, and the capacity to perceive beauty, to suffer, to connect, to wonder. That’s the miracle of being alive. And recognising that miracle—especially in a world so full of struggle—is what makes life precious.
Life is Temporary, and That Makes It Valuable
If life were infinite, we might not value it the same way. But we know it has an end. And that knowledge is both terrifying and sacred. The finite nature of life is what gives it urgency, meaning, and poignancy.
When we realise that we don’t have unlimited time, a simple conversation with a loved one becomes significant, a quiet morning walk becomes a meditation, and a mundane moment becomes a memory in the making.
The Hidden Gift of Struggles
Seeing life as a gift encourages us to be more present, more intentional, and more grateful. The gift includes both joy and pain. Gifts always come wrapped in shiny paper. But life is not such a gift. Sometimes, it comes disguised as pain, failure, heartbreak, or grief.
It may sound strange, but suffering teaches us compassion, and pain reminds us to be patient. Loss teaches us to value what we have. Loneliness shows us the deep human need for connection. Mistakes push us toward growth and humility.
No one wants to be worried, failed and ignored. These aren’t the parts of life we wish for—but they are part of the full experience of being human. And in the long view, they, too, are gifts. Not because they feel good, but because they shape us. They help us to be who we become. They are the push and pull of moulding a life.
Human Relationships: Proof That Life is a Gift
Human relationships are perhaps the most profound evidence that life is a gift. Through them, we experience love, empathy, belonging, forgiveness and happiness.
How To Maintain Happy Relationships
If the smile of a little child is enough to melt your stony heart, your grudge, envy and hatred, why can’t we be a little more gentle? Why can’t we tolerate the shortcomings of our companion?
The whole universe that believes in us believes in our potencies. Just as the intrinsic wires or the tiny chips of an electronic device, we’re wired for connection, a connection as a plan of the Divine.
Our shared experiences—the laughter, the tears, the silent understanding between two people—are what elevate life from mere survival to something meaningful.
Gratitude: The Key to Living Differently
When we see life as a gift, we begin to live differently. We count on the blessings. Our weaknesses become our strength. Instead of focusing on what’s missing, we notice what’s gifted with us.
Instead of waiting for happiness, we find reasons to be content even in adversities. Instead of grumbling, we turn to be grateful to all that heaven above has bestowed on us.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love,” wrote Marcus Aurelius.
So let us be thankful to all who come into our lives to push or to pull, to support or to suppress, and to encourage or to discourage. Gratitude is not denial of suffering; it’s the discipline of seeing beauty even when it’s hard to find.
The Magic Of Gratitude: Unlocking Happiness And Abundance
It shifts us from being consumers of life to caretakers of it. The 13th-century Persian poet Jalal-al-Din Rumi wrote:
Be grateful for whoever comes,
Because each one has been sent
As a guide from beyond.
This poem serves as a reminder not to resist life’s painful thoughts, but to welcome them with warmth and good grace.
Unwrapping the Gift of Life
A gift left unopened means nothing. The same is true of life. So we:
- Take risks, love deeply, fail and try again.
- We learned to walk only after falling numerous times.
- Create something meaningful. Let it fail.
- Have the guts to apologise and forgive.
- Begin again.
- Pay attention to the world with childlike wonder.
Every soul you meet is unwrapping its own story. Some are barely holding on. Some are shining like stars. Some are hiding their pain behind perfect smiles.
Every sunrise is a reminder to me that I’ve been given one more day—one more chance, a chance to shape my story, however messy or beautiful it may be. Not because it’s easy. Not because it’s fair. But because it’s my life.
It is a life full of moments that make it worth living: a deep laugh, a shared silence, the first bite of something delicious, the feeling of being understood and the courage to start over. The grace to forgive. The chance to love and to be loved.
Whether we have one day or many years left, the gift remains the same. We are here, alive, awake, capable of change, capable of wonder, and that alone is something sacred.
When we see life as a gift, we begin to live differently.
Life’s Whisper
One day, we simply found ourselves here, breathing. feeling. being and from the very first breath to the very last, life whispers to us, “Go on”
In the poem A Psalm of Life, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow says:
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream! —
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Conclusion
Life is a gift—fragile, temporary, and full of both joy and struggle. From our very first breath to our last, every moment is an opportunity to learn, to grow, to love, and to forgive. The beauty of life is not in its perfection but in its impermanence. The challenges we face shape us, the relationships we nurture give us meaning, and gratitude transforms even the hardest days into blessings.
When we see life as a gift, we begin to live differently. We stop waiting for happiness and start unwrapping the small moments that make existence sacred—a shared silence, a child’s smile, a chance to begin again. Whether we have years ahead or only a single day, the invitation remains the same: embrace it fully. Because life, with all its mysteries and miracles, is a gift to be unwrapped.
So, how will you unwrap the gift of life today?
FAQs
1. Why is life considered a gift?
Life is a gift because it allows us to experience love, joy, learning, and growth. Even though we didn’t choose to be born, we are given the chance to live fully, connect with others, and make our existence meaningful.
2. How can I see life as a gift during struggles?
Life is a gift even in struggles because challenges teach resilience, patience, and compassion. By embracing both joys and hardships, we can grow and appreciate every moment of our journey.
3. What role do relationships play in understanding that life is a gift?
Human relationships reveal that life is a gift by showing us love, empathy, forgiveness, and belonging. Sharing moments with others enriches our experience and adds meaning to our existence.
4. How can gratitude help me recognise that life is a gift?
Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. By appreciating small joys, connections, and everyday experiences, we become more aware that life itself is a precious and unrepeatable gift.
5. How can I actively “unwrap” the gift of life every day?
You can unwrap the gift of life by being present, loving deeply, forgiving, taking risks, learning from mistakes, and cherishing small moments. Every day offers opportunities to experience life fully and intentionally.
Thank you for taking the time to explore this post. I hope you found it both insightful and enjoyable.
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PVM
Mathukutty P. V. is the founder of Simply Life Tips, a blogger, content writer, influencer, and YouTuber passionate about learning and sharing. Guided by “Simple Living, Creative Thinking,” he believes in the power of knowledge sharing and lifelong learning.
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