We were all given a life to live, to experience, to embrace and to remember, but what purpose

do we have in our lives? What exactly were we supposed to do in such a short life span? What
was my purpose, all of ours? Why am I here and what have I come to accomplish? These are a
few of many questions I ponder about at times where I grow suspicious of my own identity. So
today, I am compelled to share the intricate strings of my evolving personal philosophy - a
journey that intertwines with profound questions of identity and purpose. Like Hamlet, grappling
with existential dilemmas, my contemplative journey of my personal philosophy begins with the
fundamental question: who are we, what’s our identity, what is the purpose of life and are we
controlled by fate or do we have free will.

Our identity

Who are we? What is our identity? As I reflect on my personal journey of my intellectual
development, I find that my understanding of identity is deeply intertwined with my evolving
thoughts. In my early years, I grappled with societal expectations, attempting to conform to
predefined roles. I would grapple with conflicting opinions of beauty standards and pretty
personalities. I would feel embarrassed of my natural features such as my curly hair or my
natural tanned skin. I would constantly straighten my hair and cover my face with lighter
pigmented concealer to look “pretty” in the eyes of others. I would craft and mold a whole new
personality just to fit in with the people I was around. It was tiring and agonizing. The thought of
having to hide my true self to fit in made me sick to my stomach. However, over time, I
embraced the idea that our identity is a craftwork of our experiences, beliefs and relationships. I
embraced my natural beauty and personality and realized how beautiful it is to bloom into your
own flower. My thinking shifted from seeking external validation to recognizing the significance
of my own presence. In the end I gradually believed that we are our own person and what
makes us unique is the core of our identity.

Hamlet connection

This shift mirrors Hamlet's struggle with self- identity. Throughout the tragedy, Hamlet questions
the nature of his own being and the authenticity of his thoughts. The famous quote, “ to be or
not to be,” reflects his internal struggle as he contemplates the meaning and purpose of
existence. Hamlet's identity becomes entangled with his thoughts and uncertainties, leading to
an exploration of self-discovery. Hamlet's journey serves as a reminder that our thoughts play
an important role in shaping our identity.

Purpose of life

The purpose of life has been a daunting question shaping my philosophical outlook. Questions
like, “what was I meant to do? What kind of purpose do I bring to my life were,” the basis of my
development of my personal philosophy about the purpose of life. I’ve come to see life as a
journey—a chance to savor, to feel, to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and
without fear for newer and richer experiences. I would ask myself if what I’m doing today is
getting myself closer to what I want to be tomorrow. Life’s purpose, I realized is a subjective
journey, unique to each individual. It is about finding meaning in our pursuits, relationships, and
personal growth. Recognizing my passions, I set my sights on a dream that fuels my deepest
enthusiasm—becoming an architect, merging critical thinking with artistic flair. This dream,
untethered by fear, propels me forward which will guide me to have purpose. Meaning also
resides in relationships, like those with family and friends, offering enduring love and joyous
memories. The ones we love add a deep purpose, something precious to safeguard. When
combining these elements, a singular purpose emerges—to live my life to the fullest, guided by
the intertwining threads of passion, relationships, and personal goals.

Hamlet connection

Shakespeare's Hamlet explores the existential thoughts of its lead character, Hamlet, which
deeply resonates with the central philosophical question of life's purpose. The deep question of
what the meaning of life is consumes Hamlet as he struggles with the chaos surrounding his
father's death and the treacherous political situation of Elsinore. Hamlet is grappling with a
sense of betrayal and moral conflict. First, he finds out his uncle killed his dad, then his mom
ends up marrying Uncle Claudius. Talk about family drama! All this mess makes Hamlet wonder
if life's worth living, especially when he considers getting revenge for his dad and ponders the
bigger picture of why we're even here. It's like he's caught up in this deep philosophical battle
about the meaning of life and whether it's worthwhile to put up with all the crazy misfortunes
that happens.

Fate or Free will

In my younger years, I used to believe that life unfolded according to a predetermined script, as
if fate had already written our stories. I felt like a character in a play, following a plotline beyond
my control. However, as I navigated through challenges and triumphs, I started to see the power
we hold in shaping our destinies. It was a gradual realization that we're not mere puppets in the
hands of fate, but active participants in our own narratives. For instance, there was a time where
I had to face a choice between passion and responsibility. A time where I had to choose
between continuing playing badminton for the school team and sacrificing my studying, or
choose to withdraw from my extracurricular activity in order to be successful in my academics. It
was a choice given to me where I choose my own fate through free will. I chose responsibility
over passion. It required conscious choices, hard work, and the belief in my ability to change the
course of my story. I came to learn that life was like a game of cards, the hand you're dealt is
determinism, and the way you play it, is free will. ( Jawaharlal Nehru)

Hamlet connection
However in Shakespeare’s play, at times, Hamlet seems to acknowledge the idea of fate, feeling
burdened by the circumstances he finds himself in, especially regarding his father's ghost and
the call for revenge. On the other hand, Hamlet's actions and decisions also indicate a sense of
power and free will. He actively engages in a plan to uncover the truth about his father's death
and seeks revenge, displaying a willingness to shape his destiny through personal choices.
Essentially, Hamlet’s ideas are a combination of fate and free will, which reflects the intricate
nature of being human. The way Shakespeare presents this uncertainty lets people interpret the
character in different ways, adding to the lasting fascination with Hamlet.

Growing up in a mix of different cultures really shaped the way I think. It exposed me to lots of
different ideas, making me more open-minded. But you know what had an even bigger impact
on my thoughts? My talks with mentors, family, and friends. We'd chat about everything, and
their diverse perspectives really challenged and refined the way I see things. And speaking of
diverse perspectives, that's what I love about Hamlet. It's like this timeless mirror reflecting the
ups and downs of being human. The characters' struggles feel so relatable, transcending time
and culture. It's like a lens helping me make sense of my own experiences. So, summing it up,
my journey of thinking has shifted from just fitting in to being true to myself, finding purpose
through the things I love, and becoming aware of the power I hold through my choices. And
Hamlet's wisdom is like a guiding star, helping me understand life's twists and turns as I figure
out who I am and what I'm here for.