Inquiry #1 "How should one live"

I would love to write something along the lines of "one should live to be happy with oneself...", but in all honesty I think that is frivolous. Don't get me wrong, I believe happiness is essential, but to really answer "How should one live" you have to dig a little deeper.
What does it mean to live, to be alive? This is where I believe the answer is purely individual and is marked with what makes someone happy- some may think being daring, risky, with no strings attached is to be alive. Others may think being alive is to have a secure job, strong relationships... (a bachelor vs. family man, if you will.) I think these are both valid. But the question is how does one get to be alive? How does the family man know that is what he wants?

To know how one should live, one must first have a firm grasp of exactly who they are. I'm talking everything from how their ancestors lived in the Motherland and how their family came to America, to the toothpaste they like to use and the music they jam out to in their car. This is the foundation to grow on. I believe it is essential for everyone to find this foundation; to partake on this self-discovery trip because this is where you can pin point your personal philosophies and challenge yourself to meet a new potential. How do you know who you want to be if you have no idea what you are capable of? I personally, believe people are stronger than they or society expects them to be and it is sad that so many have no idea. So why is it that so many don't ask? Why are so many people content with just living life day to day while others live "each moment as their last" (if you would excuse that cliché line)?

How I should live as of now includes my past as well as fulfilling my dreams and social roles of today; a student, a sister, a daughter... To answer "How should one live" in stone with no room for change would be ridiculous and total nonsense. It should be as unique to each person as their family history is and it must change throughout time as life alters who we are; it should also have a deeper answer than just "happiness and success".