The Meaning of Life

I had someone recently tell me they were very perplexed and sad because they didn’t know the meaning of life. I shared some thoughts with them that I think are rather obvious and pedestrian. The thoughts were very new to them and opened up some new thinking. So I’ll write them here in case any one else finds it of use. And if you read this and think “OMG, that’s so obvious and marshmallow” – well, hey – just move on.

My first thought is that it’s the wrong question to ask “What is the meaning of life?” The better question to ask is: “What meaning do I want to put into my life?”

If you are looking for a meaning of life outside yourself then you will be privy to the dictates of religion and the like. Those are fine paths – but I don’t think they are paths to extract your full potential. If you instead think of what meaning you want to put into life you can still use your religion as a guide to those answers – but I think it is a more open way to think of things rather than waiting for a dictation from on high.

Another way to think of it: Instead of thinking life is like an orange that is unwrapped with a hidden gift inside; think of it instead as a peeling that you can fill with the purpose and meaning that you select.

Some people choose money. Some choose helping others. Some choose to leave this world a better place than when they entered it. Some choose to make quality connections with other people. You will find that the counsel of the ages from wise historical figures tend to paint certain paths as more fulfilling than others. Certainly things to consider.

My experience has been that no other person can make you happy. You start with yourself and making yourself whole – then you can move on to enhancing other people’s lives. You could refer to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for an outline of this. Once our basic needs are met, then we move up the hierarchy to self actualization. Self actualization is where your basic foundation is setup and now you can be a little more deliberate in the direction you want to head.

Of course it’s life – and where we point our ship is rarely where we end up at our destination. That’s part of our life path. Being open to the new experiences and opportunities that come up along the way. It’s so important to be open to new things that call to you.

That “still small voice” that calls to you and not others. The things that excite and nourish you and you alone. They are there for you to do. We are all wired differently. If you stick to paths that really excite and motivate you then you will always do well – regardless of financial status or what the rest of the world calls “successful”. It is your path and your path alone.

There is an old saying: “If you see Buddha on your path, kill him.” The meaning I get from this is that we each have our own path if we are courageous enough to follow it. Our path is our own. If we are walking someone else’s path then we need to leave it and forge our own. Or “kill Buddha” so he’s not on ours. A little graphic of a depiction – but I hope you get the idea. Forge your own path.

I read recently that a Hollywood writer said something like this: “We have all been told we’re losers. How we live and work as adults depends on how seriously we took that information.”

It’s true there are no shortage of detractors to your dreams in this world. And they might be right. Maybe you can’t do it. Maybe you really are stupid or crazy. But the point is that you are on your path and they are not. They cannot see what you can see.

I would encourage you that as long as you are not hurting anyone, and hopefully you are helping along the way, then go ahead with your world view as you see it and do what you need to do. It’s your life.

For me personally, my satisfaction and “meaning of life” comes from doing my work well, having a handful of meaningful connections with other people and living well along the way. I also hope I leave the world a little better than when I came into it.