Searching For The Meaning Of Life

Join man’s age old quest to find what it’s all about

Ever since human beings developed consciousness, we have wondered about the meaning of life. Why are we here, as a species and as individuals? Does our existence mean something? Is there something we should do or something we should be to fulfill our purpose?

There are two popular theories of the meaning of life. The first is that everything in the universe happens according to plan. We don’t always understand the plan, any more than a single thread in a tapestry could be expected to understand the entire pattern of which it is a part. Thus a tragedy in an individual’s life could be part of a beautiful larger picture that is beyond human comprehension.

The second popular theory of the meaning of life is that the universe is organized according to understandable scientific principles and that there is no larger meaning beyond that. People who believe the second theory believe they must create whatever meaning they find in their lives.

If you believe in the first theory, you probably believe you will not fully understand the meaning of life until you die. Even so, you may be able to uncover clues about what tasks you are meant to fulfill during your time here. Take a look at your gifts. Do you feel “called” to any profession or way of life? Some people, for instance, feel they were born to be nuns, police officers, social workers, etc.

Look, too, at the challenges you have faced. Have they prepared you to follow a special path? One nurse that I know, for instance, lost both her first and her second husband to rare forms of cancer. She now spends her life educating other cancer patients about treatment options. Out of tragedy she discovered, if not the meaning of life, then at least, the role she believes she was born to play. Have you been through a painful experience that might ultimately benefit others?

But suppose you believe in the second theory, that there is no inherent meaning of life? In that case, it is up to you to create a meaningful existence out of chaos. If there is no “right” answer, it’s important to stop and think about what is meaningful to you? What is important in your life? How do you want people to remember you when you’re gone?

One powerful exercise to discover a personal meaning of life is to write your own eulogy or obituary. Suppose you died twenty years from now? What accomplishments and traits would you want to be remembered for? Do you want to be known as a self-made millionaire, a loving mother or father, a philanthropist? What stories do you want your family and friends to tell about you when you are gone?

Once you have written your own eulogy, take a hard look at the way you are leading your life. Will your current behaviors help to get you where you want to go? For instance, if you want to be remembered for your parenting abilities, perhaps you need to spend more quality time with your children. If you want to be remembered as a great writer, maybe it’s time to stop procrastinating and write that novel you know is inside you.

Searching for the meaning of life is as old as consciousness itself. But whether or not you believe there is a higher power that assigns significance to our lives, there are ways for you to lead a life that is meaningful to you.