A young man who lived without any meaning
100 letters collected over 9 years

Willing to give up your life
Traces of 100 People Who Reflected on Your Life, Yours, and Ours

The author of this book, James Bailey, felt like he was at a dead end in life and failing at everything, so he started sending random letters asking the question, “Why should I live?”
Believing that someone in this vast world might have the answers to help them, I asked celebrities from various fields about the "meaning of life."
After countless rejections and long waits, I collected 100 replies over 9 years.
The senders include philosophers, politicians, pop stars, playwrights, presidents, and prisoners.
Some letters are handwritten, others are printed.
There are letters scribbled on scrap paper, and replies received via email.
Some are single sentences that hit the nail on the head, others are lengthy memoirs.
There are some pieces that dig deep into the heart, and others that are light and cheerful.
The letters of 100 people who willingly responded to the concerns of a young man they had never met, reflecting on their own lives, become a book that touches our concerns.
Let's take a moment to understand life by reading the different answers given by people from all walks of life to one question and asking, "Why should we live?"

As I write this, it has been almost nine years since I sent my first letter.
When I think back to the worries and anxieties, the pain of heartbreak, and the fear of failure I felt at the time, I think I was overly sentimental, especially when compared to what some of the people who wrote to me had experienced.
My actions are embarrassing, and my naivety makes me laugh.
(···) The wounds, sense of loss, and the process of self-reflection at that time (all of which are necessary for growth and maturity) have been replaced by a time of enjoying small things like peace, walks in nature, music, and writing letters.
A lot of time has passed, but I still don't know my own final answer.
Maybe I won't be able to find it in the future.
As those who responded said, the answer may vary depending on things like your age and health.
(···) This project definitely gave me meaning, purpose, and happiness.
I sincerely hope that you will gain something from these letters as I did.
--- From the "Prologue"

I found purpose in life by trying to persuade people to make the world a better place.
--- From "A Letter from Environmental Activist Jane Goodall"

I realized that my increasingly frail body would eventually reach a point where I would have to rely heavily on others to continue to exist.
Having been fortunate enough to live a very 'happy life' in the Western world so far, I am now preparing for a very 'happy departure'.
--- From "A Letter from Michael Irwin, Former UN Medical Director"

I can only say that talking about the meaning of life in terms of existential and philosophical meaning feels somewhat pointless to me.
I don't see why the meaning of human life should be any different from that of a whale, an ant, or an oak tree.
I don't think that's what it means.
--- From "Letters from Professor of Science and Sociology Robert Winston"

When I was young, I didn't understand people who lacked ambition.
People who are satisfied with the circumstances given to them and place greater importance on life with their family or serving the community.
It might fit Mr. Bailey's criteria for what constitutes a "happy state," but I really couldn't understand it.
Something changed in me.
Now, when I see people who live simple, honest, and hard-working lives without pursuing wealth or fame, I understand the rewards of that choice.
We respect their lives on a level never before seen.
I felt like it was a much more elegant way of life than the life I had lived, running around frantically trying to get attention.
But I haven't changed enough to feel like that might have been my path.
--- From "A Letter from Actor and Producer Julian Fellowes"

To me, the meaning of life depends on how many people's hearts I open in my life.
From family to strangers, what are you doing in your short life to make this world a more equitable place for everyone?
--- From "A Letter from Novelist Jodi Picoult"

I think one of those times is after a long walk with my dog ​​and then having tea with chocolate biscuits.
It's not intense, but it's a flawless moment.
It's these little pleasures that keep me going.
To enjoy those moments, you have to be alive, right? I hope this answer was helpful.
--- From "A Letter from Novelist Anthony Horowitz"

After all that work, charity work, and all that, what remains is the simple fact that I love to travel.
I love seeing new places and discovering history, artifacts, culture, and the many backstories of the world.

--- From "A Letter from Publisher Tony Wheeler"

Friends' laughter, reading a book at a bar, jeans that fit so well they feel unrealistic, good gossip, good morning kisses, coffee, a walk while slightly hungover, shade on a sunny day when the sun doesn't reach, cornbread, cats, the excitement of trying something new, boxing (anything related), making sauce for 3-5 hours...
The actual list is longer than this.
It's constantly getting longer.
And I think it's important to keep these things in mind.
--- From "A Letter from Screenwriter Monica Heishi"

No day is taken for granted, and even small kindnesses are precious.
If I can motivate and inspire just one person a day, it feels incredibly rewarding.
--- From "A Letter from Martin Wright, Survivor of the London Underground Terror Attack"

When faith and passion are for a cause greater than oneself, the human spirit can overcome most things.
Eventually, the fear of death also disappears.
--- From "A Letter from Motivational Speaker Chris Moon"

When I go out into nature and walk along a mountain path or cross a body of water, my mind becomes clear and calm.
My pain came not from the ice shards embedded in my cells, but from seeing others suffer and not being able to help them.
--- From "A Letter from Shipwreck Survivor Matt Lewis"

Before I went to prison, I would have definitely assumed these fellow inmates were bad people.
He said he went to jail because he deserved to go there.
But after spending a few months together and getting to know them, I realized that life isn't that simple.
As someone who has been forgiven for my crimes, it's made me reflect on how people get into trouble.
--- From "A Letter from Former Professional Golfer John Hoskisson"

I find meaning in the little things, in the moments on the periphery of life—when we briefly connect with someone, when something intimate is shared, when a friend opens a door to their inner world.
The most fulfilling moments in composing are the moments when I connect with other people through music.
Composing music can be challenging at times, but I truly love being able to touch people and give them a moment to appreciate the beauty of the earth, the trees, and the rivers.

--- From "A Letter from Composer Rachel Portman"

Surround yourself with good people.
Then good things will happen on their own.
Try to find people who are better than you.
Then we can move in that direction.
The secret to a happy life is not to be excessively jealous and resentful.
No matter what difficulties you face, stay strong and surround yourself with good, honest, dependable, and moral people.

--- From "A Letter from Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Dave Fishwick"

In recent years, as I've experienced tremendous loss and faced the anxieties of midlife, I've been forced to reflect deeply on what it means to be "successful" as a human being.
And I realized that I had been living most of my life with a false belief about what 'success' was.
It's only recently that I've come to understand that success actually has nothing to do with your external life or how other people perceive you.
Success depends more on the richness of your inner life, on loving and caring for others, and on how you connect with the world.

--- From "A Letter from Yoga Instructor Beth Kempton"