You ever have this question come across your mind – “Why should I keep on living? It’s the same thing everyday and there is nothing to look forward to.”

Well, I am fully aware the reason to live is personal for each of us.

For me, the reason to live is “the game of achieving greatness and providing a significant life for my family”. That is what is keeping me alive.

You see, I have achieved a lot from being the first in my family to graduate college, get a corporate job at a big company in America, play professional Basketball, play for my Nepalese National Basketball Team. The biggest achievements for me, however, has been finding a loving wife and having a beautiful, loving, caring son.

Now at 36, I thought the best was behind me.

I recently asked myself while on vacation here in Nepal, “Is this all there is? What is the point of living if the best part of my life is behind me?”

I deeply contemplated this question for weeks.

And while on the long car ride to my homeland, Junbesi, Solukhumbu, it hit me: family has always been one of the most important parts of my life. Also, I have not become one of the best in the world at something and also have not yet provided a significant life for my immediate and extended family.

Therefore, this existential crisis of mine was solved by a new excitement, energy and white hot fire to win the ultimate game of achieving my own greatness and giving the majority of what I earn and achieve to my immediate family, extended family, friends and less privileged.

I am fully aware that it is not necessary to do this, however, my son and this deep desire to achieve and give back is what is keeping me alive.

Nothing else.

I love games, winning and my family.

By combining all three I have unlocked a new sense of fun, excitement, wonderment and zest for life inside me.

Along the way I have been tested and continue to get tested by others.

But as long as I keep this sentiment of giving back to family, achieving my own greatness and having fun playing the game, I will continue to jump out of bed, love life and strive, every day, to be my best self.

After all, that is all I can do.

That is all we can do.

So in that vein, let us all go out and be our best selves.