“Chrip, chrip, chrip!” The delightful sounds from the birds outside bathing caused me to stir awake. I give a big stretch before looking around my surroundings. Wait.

This isn’t my house?

I look down to my pajamas; these aren’t mine either. In response, I sprint to the bathroom, tripping over books and papers on the ground.

Why do I look like this. This isn’t me!

I tear at my face; trying to rip off whatever latex mask someone has put on me. Suddenly, a knock on the door came. Without a response, the mystery person opened the door.

“Mr. Wilson? Mr. Wilson?” That’s not my name. But for some strange reason, I answered to it.

“Yes? What seems to be the problem?” My answer gave him no calmness. He immediately freaked out.

“Mr. Wilson! You have a speech in a hour! What are you still doing in your pjs? We’re gonna be late!” The man yelled, ventilated. He immediately opened the closest and pulled out an elegant suit before shoving it into my hands.

“Change now please we have to get going!” He said urgently, before rushing me into the bathroom.

Before I knew it I was standing backstage, preparing for a speech I’ve never written, nor prepared for.

This has to be a dream… right?

What I gathered so far by being “Mr. Wilson” is that he is a world renowned philosopher that occasionally gives speeches in places that need it the most. Apparently, this one is over the meaning of life.

As I was stuck in the middle of my thought, a stage member pushed me out to the stage. The lights blinding me as I was overwhelmed in cheering and clapping. My senses were distorted.

Suddenly it went quiet, the attendants on the edge of their seats awaiting my words to supposedly “change their world view and hopes”.

I give a quick cough to clear my voice. My hands trembling as my knees weaken beneath me.

“I know you’re here to listen to some inspirational, life-changing words from me on the meaning of life, but to be honest I have none.”

The distorted voices in the crowd seems to overpower one another, confused, before I spoke again.

“What I mean is there is no general meaning to life. It’s not the same for all of us; like most things. Life is what we make of it. How we view and make of our situations really depend what our separate meaning of life is. So what I ask of you all is when you leave today is to go out in life, separate yourself from worldly influences for just a few days and ask yourselfs: why am I alive? Why do I continue to do what I do. Once you answer those questions, you’ll have a general grasp on what your meaning of life is. Thank you for your time.”

As I depart from the stage I was consumed by pride and joyful cheers and applause. Although this wasn’t my body, I wished this was my life. People taking the time out of their days, even traveling across the world just to listen to one man’s words.

To be honest with myself, I hope I never go back to the way I was. Maybe that’s the humanity greed in me, wanting to be great. Or maybe it’s just one man’s desire.