The Last Five Minutes: A Journey in Search of Purpose

There was a time when I thought I knew what life was all about. I chased after the tangible things that most of us believe hold the key to fulfillment: money, success, and the symbols of achievement. But as I began to attain them, I noticed something unsettling—none of it brought the fulfillment my soul was yearning for. It took me years to realize that perhaps I was asking the wrong question all along. And so began my journey in search of something deeper.

As a child, my heart was captivated by electronics. I remember the thrill of holding an electronic toy in my hands, fascinated by the blinking lights and mysterious mechanisms inside. That fascination turned into a desire to own a computer. I can still recall the feeling of envy, almost humiliation, as I watched my friends effortlessly navigate theirs, while I could only visit their homes and admire from afar. Back then, it felt like having my own computer would somehow unlock a door to everything I wanted to be.

I kept climbing life’s ladder, reaching for what felt like the next logical step. Eventually, I found a life partner—a soul to share this journey with—and later, the joy of a child entered my life. By all accounts, I had everything I once dreamed of, and yet, a quiet emptiness lingered. It was as if the things I’d spent my life pursuing had lost their magic the moment they came into my grasp. I had all the material milestones, but where was the deeper satisfaction?

Life has a way of surprising us. I began to realize that wealth and achievements come with different masks and layers. They’re dressed as necessities, disguising themselves as fulfillment, but are often fleeting in their ability to bring lasting joy. So I asked myself: What is the one thing that will bring my soul true contentment? What am I really searching for?

Wealth, while essential, couldn’t offer me the enduring excitement I’d anticipated. And so, I reframed the question. I asked myself: what can give my life meaning, even in those final five minutes, when I am at the threshold of looking back? What could make me feel that my time, a resource I can never get back, was well spent?

The answer wasn’t wealth, but rather a life where every moment spent helped someone else live a better life. A life where the experiences I gathered could serve as shortcuts for others to reach their dreams. I realized that if I could spend my years helping students and young minds discover their potential, if I could create a path for them to transform their futures, then I would find my purpose.

Now, my vision is clear. I want to impact as many lives as possible, to teach and inspire as many students as I can, helping them find their path in a world that is often uncertain. I want my legacy to be about lives changed, dreams awakened, and futures transformed.

In the end, when I reach those last five minutes, I want to sit back, close my eyes, and see not the material wealth I’ve gathered, but the ripple effects of my work, in lives changed and communities strengthened. There are still miles to go, and I don’t know if I’ll reach every goal. But knowing that I am moving toward this purpose—one filled with meaning and impact—makes every step feel worthwhile.