Living Life to the Fullest: Enjoying Every Moment

Dravida Seetharam
2 min readApr 5, 2024

I was in Boston last week with my cousins, and a three-year-old named Sai said something that caught my attention. He said, “Thatha, you are living totally.” At first, I didn’t understand what he meant, so I researched the expression. I discovered that “living totally” means enjoying each moment and being grateful for what we have. It’s about being present in the moment and not worrying about the past or the future. Whether watching a sunset, savouring a delicious meal, or spending time with friends and family, “living totally” means appreciating the little things.

After considering it, I tried to identify family members who embodied this concept but couldn’t think of anyone. I spoke to some friends about it, but they didn’t seem to live “totally” either. So I delved deeper into what it means to live “totally” and realized that it also involves pursuing our dreams and not letting fear hold us back. It’s about trying new things, following our passions, and taking risks. Whether seeking a hobby, starting a new job, or travelling to new places, living “totally” means going after what makes us happy. I was able to think of a few friends who fit this category.

Furthermore, living “totally” involves building solid relationships with others. It’s about being kind, caring, and supportive to those around us. Whether helping a friend in need or spending quality time with family, living “totally” means being there for the people we love. It also means being resilient when things get tough. It’s about facing challenges head-on and not giving up. Whether dealing with problems at school or work, facing challenging times at home, or overcoming personal struggles, living “totally” means staying positive and believing in ourselves.

As I pondered all this, I thought of my dear cousins, Padma and Venkatesh, who have been married for sixty years. They may not always see eye to eye, but they both embody the idea of living “totally.” They live independently under the same roof, with Venkatesh preferring to stay home and Padma enjoying socializing. Despite their differences, they don’t interfere with each other’s lives. They faced many challenges while raising their two daughters but remained positive and built a happy family. They live with gratitude, chase their dreams, build strong relationships, and stay strong in tough times.

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