This post is by Juanita Gomez.
What is the meaning of life?
A question that has been asked an infinite amount of times since conscious life began on this planet. I am not a particularly philosophical person, but if you are, biologist Jeremy Griffith presents the best explanation of the meaning of all things on this planet that I know of.
However this article is concerned with finding meaning in your life, which is basically the challenge set before all us humans, and something that we are all going to approach differently. That being said, below are my tips to help you figure out exactly why you are here, where your passions are hiding and what is going to be the spark to set your world alight with meaning.
Of course, there is also the theory that simply searching for meaning in your life, is the meaning itself, so don’t worry if nothing is jumping out at you, because simply by participating in the search, you are doing something incredibly meaningful.
1. Stop Playing By The Rules
Some people find that the meaning of life is to have a career, get married, and raise a family. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone is meant to do that in their lives!
When you are living a life that is dictated by others it becomes hard to find the purpose of your own life. Children are often directed in one way or another by their parents. For instance, their parents want them to become doctors or lawyers, yet as they grow up, they have a strong desire to do something else. Many of these children ignore their own desires because the rules dictate that they can’t have what they want.
If that sounds like you, then it’s time to dump the rules and start living the life you want. Why would you want to live your life for someone else? You will only regret it in the end. Once you realize that no one has to live behind a set of rules and that everyone is unique in their desires, then you will be able to better find the meaning of your life and where you are headed.
2. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
The term comfort zone is code for a place you live in yourself without fear.
Fear of the unknown, fear of failing, or fear of not being in control.
The definition of boredom and meaningless would have to have the word monotony in it somewhere—continual monotonous repetition creates boredom and certainly does not get you any closer to finding true meaning and excitement. Your comfort zone is simply a less extreme version of an obsessive, compulsive disorder. Strong, happy people with meaningful lives are adventurers. The meaning in your life is obviously not inside your comfort zone or you would already be living the life you were meant to live.
You become more of the person you were meant to be every time you push past your fears. It doesn’t matter how small or big the step is; once you take the step, your comfort zone becomes bigger, and life offers you more opportunities. Face your fears and grow.
3. Find Your Joy
What makes you happy in life? Do you enjoy travelling, helping others, being with family, or all of the above?
This step again relies on a solid grounding in making adventurous activities, that you may just find bring you an incredible amount of freedom and happiness. When you know what truly makes you happy and joyful in life, then you will find a sense of purpose to your life. You will find a direction that you need to go in order to create the most meaningful life possible for you.
For instance, if you enjoy helping others and it makes you feel as though you are doing something with a purpose when you do so, then find a way to incorporate that into your daily life. Change careers and become someone who can help others while getting paid for it.
There is nothing more fulfilling than living your purpose every single day.
4. Listen To Your Intuition
Your intuition is connected to your inner-self. Don’t get caught living your life in complete superficiality. Superficiality is meaningless; it is short term and soulless. Finding the real person inside yourself is not easy but will definitely help you see what is really important in your life.
Every time you have a choice to make, your intuition is there to guide you.
It tells you that you are making a bad choice with negative gut feelings and instincts. It also lets you know when you are making a good choice by giving you a sense of happiness and ease. When you learn to listen to your intuition, and follow those moments that feel right, then you will be on your way to living a life with meaning.
5. Appreciate The Individual Moments
Don’t let the fast-paced superficial world take over your life. The world is fast paced and it keeps people in their comfort zones. It stops people from thinking and keeps them busy. Being busy searching is wonderful, but don’t get so busy doing that you don’t allow yourself to feel.
Feelings are real, they are not fast and they are not shallow. Allowing yourself to feel and truly appreciate a moment in your life is more of a challenge than actually experiencing it.
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In the end, if you want to find the meaning of life stop playing by the rules and push past your fears. Figure out what truly makes you feel joy, and follow your intuition at every decision and most importantly, appreciate the experiences when they come and allow the feelings to flow through you, feeling is a magical feeling.
Finding meaning in your life is not a difficult thing, but it is harder than living a numb, fast paced superficial life.
Make the decision to start your search for meaning and experience everything that this life has to offer. You wont regret it, I guarantee it.
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Wow, just got to say awesome post Juanita, very inspiring!
Hi Juanita,
I used to joke that the meaning of life is 47 – we used to think we were so funny as college students …
I love the point about finding our joy. For me, that’s the single most compelling idea when it comes to living life with all six senses engaged (yes, there is a sixth sense – and not in the see-dead-people way).
Joy is rarely found unless you explicitly choose to engage fully and completely, from the inside to the out, and back again.
Great post.
“Appreciate The Individual Moments”
love it! Great tips!
Amazing post truly loved your input on all of this
I really love this article, a nice push to get out of my comfort zone and really make an impact.
Number 4, listening to your intuition really stuck out for me. I can recall key moments when I had to make a major decision and that gut feeling to question what I was doing, telling me that something just wasn’t quite right. Being an analytical person, I usually end up combining my intuition with that proof based persona. But intuition is very important, if only more people would listen to it and realize what it is. Great post.
Great advice! Thank you Juanita. You know, for awhile I’ve been reading articles like these, and lots drag out and I just skim them over. But yours is right to the point, no dragging out, and it’s simple and effective.
Thank you once again.