What Is The Meaning Of Life?

what is the meaning of life
Photo by Simon Pais

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the meaning of life and the impermanent nature of it all. Observing how we do what we do, the struggles we put ourselves through, the drama, the pain and the suffering.

While thoughts about life, death and purpose drift in and out of my consciousness on a regular basis, the seed of this post was planted, when Pooja sent me a link to “The Last Post” by Derek Miller.

I was just getting on a flight when I opened that link on my phone, and by the time I had finished reading it, tears were streaming down. I spent the rest of that flight, and weekend reflecting on the meaning of life.

“What is the point of life, when we come to the end?” I wondered.

I mean, when I look around, I see a lot of struggling—in my own life and in the lives of others. It seems like, even though there’s an abundance of goodness in our lives, the prevalent theme seems to be this struggle to find balance, peace and happiness.

“What is the meaning of it all? What is the purpose of life?” I asked silently in the privacy of my thoughts.

I pondered this as I sat uncomfortably in the middle seat, squished between my husband on my right—who was napping in the aisle seat—and an annoying guy to my left—who was playing a distracting driving game, in which his iPad was used as the steering wheel, causing him to move wildly about his seat.

I looked away towards the empty space along the aisle to my right, so that my distracting neighbor was no longer in my peripheral. I reflected on my own experiences—particularly my own “blind” chase towards a more promising tomorrow.

Personal Reflections

“All this chasing for what?” I asked myself.

I race and I chase, all so that I can make more money, have more success, be more attractive, and hopefully be happier in some distant future when I’ve hit some superficial and randomly selected target.

But will that day ever arrive? You and I both know how this game goes: the wanting for more never ends; and happiness will always (unless we intervene) appear to be just a reach away, in “some day” land, when we’ve finished this project or have reached that goal.

We stride through life as if we will live forever. We treat time as a cheap commodity that we blindly waste. We become consumed by negativity. We hide behind victim stories.

We get stuck in jobs and relationships that we dislike. We distract ourselves with the noise of media and other people’s opinions. We compete over beauty, status and owning stuff. We buy into the empty promises of cosmetics and luxury products—all of which are illusions fabricated by marketers.

Unable to forgive, we hold on to the pain and we blame people, things, and circumstances for our unhappiness. We surround ourselves with anxiety, stress and depression. Failing to recognize that these “dis-eases” and uncomfortable emotions are our soul’s way of saying, “Wake up! It’s time for a change, baby. This isn’t working.”

We give up our dreams, our art, our purpose, and trade our lives in exchange for money so that we can make a living. While making money to sustain our needs is inevitable, in the making of a living we sometimes forget our unique gifts, we temporarily lose touch with the enormity of our inner being, and we distance ourselves from the confidence of our unique expressions.

In a race to survive, we become mentally paralyzed—like a dove whose wings have been clipped and soon forgets that she can fly.

It’s all so exhausting.

It’s overwhelming.

There’s no end to the madness of chasing.

So many of us rush though life in this way, oblivious to the preciousness of whom we are and unaware of the beauty, wealth, abundance, love & opportunities that surrounds us.

And before we know it, the sands of our hourglass run out, and we face the end of our brief existence on this planet—unfulfilled and regretful for all that we’ve missed.

I know this may sound harsh, and it is. Viewing how we live in its blunt, naked candor can feel rough around the edges. Truth stings. At the same time, we can use this emotionally charged observation to our advantage—to inspire us and to move us such that we begin to live differently.

Derek Miller’s last Blog post is a gift for us. He reminds us of the impermanency of our human existence, and the preciousness of the time we have as living, breathing, creative beings.

It’s time to restructure (at least for me and my family) our lives. It’s time to restructure how we live, how we prioritize, how we contribute, and how we can live more fully in the precious moments we are blessed with.

Just now, as I type this, my husband came home after having taken our son to the park so that I could write this post. He opened my office door, and said, “Go see mama.” My son (18 months old) ran into my office with a smile so big that I was instantly love struck. The love my little boy radiated filled up the room.

Little Ryan charged into my arms at full speed. His little legs wrapped around my waist. His little hands draped around my neck. We hugged. I picked him up and said, “Oh, I love you booboo. Thank you for the hug.”

In that moment, I understood…

Perhaps, the only thing that matters is love.
Perhaps, all the chasing we do is just misdirected energy.
Perhaps, all the stress is unnecessary.
Perhaps, we are making life a lot more complicated than it needs to be.
Perhaps, it’s possible (and necessary) to forgive and to let go of our painful past.

Perhaps, there’s an easier route to happiness—by focusing on doing good work, contributing value to society, sharing joyful experiences with people we like, and remembering to slow down to savor the moments.

The Meaning of Life

So what is the meaning of life? What is the purpose of life?

I don’t think any single answer can be ubiquitously shared and be applicable for everyone. So I’ll answer for myself, from my current state of understanding.

I think the meaning of life is what ever meaning we give it—and we can literally give it any meaning that “feels right” to us. There’s a blank canvas in front of you. You are the artist of your life, and you are free to paint any picture that pleases you—and change it at any time for that matter.

What “feels right” to you? What do you want your life to mean? What do you want your life to be about?

I think the purpose of life is to discover what makes you happy, and then go do more of it. The most interesting answer I’ve heard to “What is the purpose of life?” came from my husband. He said:

“The purpose of life is to do what makes you come a live. When you stop, you die.”

For me, the answer is simple: (in addition to my family) learning and sharing about empowering topics—like all the content on his site—is on the top of that list.

So, what makes you come alive?

Parting Words on Life Meaning

I wrote and re-wrote this article over the past 4 weeks–cutting more than half the content down to the essentials. The point of this article can be summarized by the following:

Life is short.

Life is precious.

What are you dreaming about? Go do it. Go make it happen. Go do it despite fear and doubt and the opinions of others. Go do it, because it makes you happy. Go do it, because it makes you come alive.

Who are you holding a grudge against? Decide to forgive them, today, right now. Decide that you will heal, and decide to tell a different story. Give yourself permission to be free, because you are.

Where do you want to visit? Start planning for it, even if you don’t yet have the money. Keep moving in that direction, and I promise you that you will find a way.

Who do you love? When you’re with them, give them your full attention. Create the time and space to connect with them. Put love at the top of your list.

In the end, love is all that matters. Love for our selves, for other people, for our work, for all the unique experiences of life.

Life is simple, but we insist on making it complicated. Let’s make it simple again, by focusing on what matters.

–Tina
June 13, 2011 Seattle, USA
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Discover You Now (NEW)

My first in-depth writing is done. I’m working on the details for a public launch. It will be released on very soon.

The digital guide is Discover You Now. The guide was originally intended to be an expanded edition of the article “Life on Purpose: 15 questions to discover your personal mission”. The guide will walk you through the exact process I personally use to:

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Create your personal mission statement
Discover your deepest values
Overcome your fears
Discover how to make a living with your passions
Achieve any goal
Complete any project

Additionally, the guide will come with over $90 worth of bonuses.

If you’ve connected with any of my writing, you will likely enjoy this. The guide is a digital workshop, where you will learn a lot about yourself. The limited-time pre-release price is $27 (After public release, this price will go up).

If you’d like to support me, please order the guide by clicking on the pink button below. You’ll be the first to receive the digital guide. Click here:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

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63 Responses (57 Comments, 6 Trackbacks ):

Comments

John

Jun 14 11, 1:44 pm PST

1
Oh Tina, I so needed your words today. I’ve been straining so much in the face of some challenges and uncertainties this week. We just need to let go and live each moment, don’t we? A life that you could completely figure out, that you could categorize and fit neatly into a box wouldn’t be much of a life, would it? And yet if we can just let go of the endless spinning of our mind and hug a child, plant a flower, do meaningful work and enjoy beauty, is that not richness and meaning? Is that not enough? The answer is most certainly yes.
Jimmy

Jun 14 11, 2:16 pm PST

2
This is something that I continually ask myself, but struggle with exactly how to do anything about. I grow more and more frustrated because it seems like the more I do, the more unattached from things I feel. This post has opened my eyes a bit. I too read Derek Miller’s last post and it definitely touched me. Hopefully I can find my way on a path to realizing my true purpose, rather than going in what seems like these endless loops and huge circles.
Amanda @36broadway

Jun 14 11, 3:31 pm PST

3
Hi Tina! Derek’s last post touched me, as well. What an incredible grace he showed in the end of life.
I’m a big ‘F’, as in, isFj from Meyer Briggs. I don’t think we can really take much action on that, but what I have noticed is I’m more aware of what drives me. And it’s so totally feelings, I redirect my decisions multiple times a day based on feelings alone. Are there drawbacks to this? Of course, but more importantly I’ve decided to not fight it and live my life based on feeling, on what ‘feels right’ like you mention above.
Always so refreshing to stop by TSN! Have a great rest of the week.
Best,
Amanda
Ken Wert

Jun 14 11, 6:43 pm PST

4
Very thoughtful post, Tina. I believe there are two, often overlapping, life purposes for each of us. One is the general purpose of life that includes things like learning and serving and becoming a better person: kinder, more patient, loving, compassionate, courageous, grateful and humble.

The other purpose is much more personal and often hidden. It requires us to think deeply, explore broadly and maybe even pray fervently to discover and create the meaning and purpose we personally were meant to play. To one it might be the nurture of a handicapped daughter. To another, it might be to save life as a brain surgeon. To yet another, it could be to coach Little League baseball. Each purpose will be different based on the talents and interests and passions of the individual.

The challenge is to either discover what we were meant to do or create meaning by doing something meaningful to us. Either way, the joy of a life lived with purpose and meaning will add immeasurably to our happiness.
Prime

Jun 15 11, 3:06 am PST

5
Hi Tina: This is something that I needed to read to day as I work through my v busy sched chasing all my dreams that sometimes I forget what really matters.

Thank you.
Mark
Jun 15 11, 6:25 am PST

6
It is interesting how posts like these get into my life just when thinking a lot about the topic :-)

Still, is that all there is to life? To increase the amount of serotonin or other chemicals in our brain? If we find a medical way to do that, have we completed our purpose?

If we are free to choose any purpose, what do we base this decision on, the one that determines all others? What is something makes one person happy but another unhappy?

If you have the answers, I’m looking forward :-) You’re off to a good start with this post!
Uzma

Jun 15 11, 9:02 am PST

7
Beautiful Tina. Life is indeed art and we are artists, here to ‘be’ and to ‘spread’ joy and love. Thank you for a wonderful article. Very apt and poignant. Here’s to enjoying this moment, being grateful for all that there is, and to be happy and at peace. Much peace and joy to you and your family :)
Jake
Jun 15 11, 11:29 am PST

8
I honestly couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks for the reminder.
jonathanfigaro

Jun 16 11, 6:53 am PST

9
The meaning to life is what you make of it. All i know is that we have to live! We have no choice but to breathe, eat, run, talk swim, be sad or be happy. There is no neutral. We as humans are hardwired into this world and what we do is up to us. The afterlife is a mystery but i know it exists. Find what you love most and what means to you and bask in that for a long as you live. Then you can look back and never regret a things, because all you did was enjoy life to the fullest. In any aspect that deems true for you!
Olie

Jun 17 11, 7:35 pm PST

10
Hi Tina,

I cried as I read your post.
My best friend died 2 days ago, and was buried the next day.
I’ve never seen any human being as kind as her, she was beautiful, she was a joy to be around with and she was only 33. I didn’t get a chance to say proper goodbye and that hurts

As I saw her body in the casket I thought about life, and what’s it all about. And I wondered the same thing, why bother living like crazy when this is all you get in the end.

Thank you for writing such a beautiful piece of work, something that I really need at this time to ponder upon. I pray that somehow all of us will find our own happiness and something worthwhile to be done with the little time that we have in this thing called life.
Lawrence

Jun 18 11, 11:10 pm PST

11
Great reminder,thanks Tina, It is always easy to get caught in the rat race and a life of mindless chasing… it is the way we are taught, brought up and conditioned by education, family and society. So much so that we lost ourselves and forgot who we truly are and what are our real priorities in life. Let’s all be reminded that happiness is a choice, it is now, not tomorrow, not next year, not when we are a millionaire, or when we get the next promotion etc. Let’s be grateful and purposeful in our midst of being true and the best of ourselves, and to serve others.
Connie Lee

Jun 20 11, 12:46 pm PST

12
Hi, Tina,

Great post, esentially, about being present and being grateful for the lives we are living.

I’ve faced a life-threatening diagnosis, 11 years ago. I can tell you, it’s quite a clarifying experience.

I wrote about receiving that ‘Life Threatening Becomes Life Changing’ on my blog. http://thepowertolive.com/252/life-threatening-becomes-life-changing/

Given my personal experience, I’d like to respond to your ‘perhaps’…

Perhaps, the only thing that matters is love.
You are SO right! The Dalai Lama said, ‘Love IS the answer. It doesn’t matter what the question is.’

11 yrs. post-diagnosis, I’m still a believer in this. Alas, I’m still human, so I continue to practice getting this right, like everyone else.

Perhaps, all the chasing we do is just misdirected energy.
Again, dead, on. Our folly is our busy-ness. We’d all do well to live with active intention, paying attention to what really matters.

Perhaps, all the stress is unnecessary.
It’s, sadly, self-inflicted. Stress and worry are investing time and energy into something that usually never comes to pass.

Perhaps, we are making life a lot more complicated than it needs to be.
It’s about the people, and the connections we make with those we love and/or care about. That’s what it all boils down to.

Perhaps, it’s possible (and necessary) to forgive and to let go of our painful past.
Forgiving someone else is about releasing YOU from the pain.

You’re not condoning their behavior, or saying it’s acceptable. You’re taking a poweful stand by saying, ‘I’m releasing this situation and the power it has over my Life. I refuse to allow you to control or influence me.’

I’m wishing you the best in your quest for balance & simplicity, Tina!
Michelle

Jun 24 11, 5:14 am PST

13
Great post! Restructuring our lives to live and be less busy is achievable – first you need to decide, then to push aside the doubt (disbelief) of others.
aisle
Jun 24 11, 10:57 am PST

14
tina,your an amazing blogger..u touched the life of mine and my friend..we keeps in touch always and share things about life and happenings..but this blog of yours made us realized so many things…i so love it..life changing..i wish people will realized more about life while they are young.i wish people will enjoy the life given to them and realized of how grateful of the blessings they have.people now are super blinded of worldly things and life.i had post this blog of yours in my facebook page.i hope my friends and our Christian community will be moved by your blog.im loving my life now and i will try to enjoy as much as i can.God bless you more and may he create you a prolific blogger perhaps why dont you write a book..thank u for inspiring us…
Paul Gupit

Jun 25 11, 1:03 am PST

15
While we are on the earth just learn to live and to give, I think that is life, sharing is the most important for we to have a life.
Michelle Conaway

Jun 27 11, 7:44 am PST

16
Hi Tina,

I found your website a couple of years ago and have visited periodically. Like you, I have been on a journey of self discovery for a few years. Your posts and articles have inspired me and helped me to find within myself the courage to step out and live the life that I was meant to live.

I thank you for sharing your dreams to write and for making it a reality. It is my dream as well. I appreciate your eloquent words of encouragement. You have inspired me to just write for the love of writing and see where it takes me. Sometimes it takes someone else doing it, to inspire others to do it as well. You have done that with this website and I am grateful.
Adam Strickfaden

Jun 29 11, 8:18 pm PST

17
Hi Tina,

Sounds to me like you are thinking way too hard about this “Life” stuff. The more you analyze, the more intricate and complex the world is going to get for you. Less thinking, more flowing. Keep in mind that over the next 5 years, you will consider this post childish as you will have inevitably grown, taking on a wiser perspective of life. Wash, Rinse and Repeat until the day God takes your life away. Hope that simplifies things.

Best Regards,

-Adam
Scott

Jun 30 11, 1:35 pm PST

18
Tina,

I also think about this topic a lot and have come to many of the same conclusions. At the end of the day, life is about happiness. What makes us happy is deeply personal and different for everyone.

Its a constant struggle to balance being content (happy) with wanting to better yourself and accomplish something meaningful. The latter could eventually make you happy, but requires you to be in a state of discontent with your life or the world (unhappy). To me, its the ultimate paradox that I’m still trying to figure out.

If we continue to seek out what we think will make us happy and do what we want, will we ever succeed in finding complete satisfaction? Is it better to be content with your circumstances in life?

I haven’t completely resolved this, but I try to 1) savor the present, 2) be content with who I am, 3) know what matters to me, 4) decide what to do in life based on what matters to me, and 5) put my all into THAT without being attached to the outcome of my efforts.

This seems to be working for me so far. Thanks for your thoughtful post :)
na
Jul 01 11, 3:03 pm PST

19
your barely post anymore. :( this use to be the best blog ever and you were very helpful to so many.
marc van der Linden

Jul 04 11, 1:53 pm PST

20
Amazing post, Tina!

“Life has no meaning at all. Only the meaning you give it yourself. ”

I love it.

“The purpose of life is to do what makes you come a live. When you stop, you die.”

I love it.

It is a great reminder, wrapped in a beautiful post.

Thanks for sharing.
Udaya

Jul 06 11, 5:47 am PST

21
“The purpose of life is to do what makes you come a live. When you stop, you die.”

Philosophers say that, “the only purpose of life is to make the self realize that there is no other purpose to it”. And, poets, writers put it in a more palatable way: “The journey (of life) itself is the destination”.

A related post on “What is life” from a more scientific perspective is here:
http://salahuddin-knowledgehobbyist.blogspot.com/2010/04/topic-of-day-is-what-is-life-whats.html

Another post about “Science and Faith” is here:
http://salahuddin-knowledgehobbyist.blogspot.com/2011/05/science-and-belieffaith.html
Llywellyn
Jul 10 11, 5:53 am PST

22
For me the value in life is in what we can do for others.

Love is the ONLY important thing in life.

Greatness is in the realisation (and action upon this) that we are nothing outside of our love for our brothers and sisters. Each and every one of our brothers and sisters is infinetly more important and greater than us.

But thats just me.
Andrew - Self Help Products

Jul 11 11, 2:49 am PST

23
It’s so hard to know which way to go…

1. Pursue your dreams and goals with passion and enthusiasm to achieve your highest potential, or…

2. Just chill out, be cool, go with the flow and keep life as simple as possible.

Maybe somewhere in between the 2 options might be the way to go.

I think I agree though, that to love and to be loved is the most important thing in life.
VimalKumar
Jul 12 11, 12:49 pm PST

24
Nice Article.. It really makes lot of sense
Peter G. James Sinclair

Jul 12 11, 11:31 pm PST

25
Awesome article once again.

Found myself singing Tina – the other night – ‘all you need is love – da da da da da’…. to love and to be loved – that has got to be THE ultimate answer!
Jayne Kopp

Jul 13 11, 4:05 pm PST

26
Hi Tina, I too am familiar with Derek Miller’s “last post” and he got it right.

We are a funny bunch of creatures, running around like ants.

We all need to read his post to realize what’s important.

I have to admit, my priorities are more in line these last few years and often have thoughts on the meaning of life myself.

I never feel suggesting a perspective shift can be too often.

thanks for the awesome read.

Jayne
Hayden James
Jul 14 11, 7:22 am PST

27
I always been motivated by how Bob Marley put it:

“Life and Jah are one in the same. Jah is the gift of existence. I am in some way eternal, I will never be duplicated. The singularity of every man and woman is Jah’s gift. What we struggle to make of it is our sole gift to Jah. The process of what that struggle becomes, in time, the Truth.”
Connie Lee @ The Power To Live

Jul 14 11, 9:44 pm PST

28
Jayne,

I’ve recently wrote a post on my blog, about how much we Are like ants.

You can read the post @ http://thepowertolive.com/2121/are-you-antsy/

Connie
JenP

Jul 17 11, 2:36 am PST

29
What a beautiful post!
I’m wondering if you’ve read Viktor Frankl’s amazing book, Man’s Search for Meaning, written about his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp in World War 2.
Warts Crream

Jul 18 11, 1:57 am PST

30
Very intersting
na
Jul 20 11, 7:45 am PST

31
Are you still sending emails daily or weekly?
Personal Development

Jul 21 11, 11:09 am PST

32
I think the best line I’ve ever heard is: “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”

IMO, we all make our own meanings, rules and create our own purpose in life. Mine is to experience joy, enjoy life and be loving and kind. Everything else is just speculation.

All the best,

Josip Barbaric
Ben Smith

Jul 24 11, 7:17 am PST

33
Hi Tina,

This is a niece piece of writing. It reminds me of a quote I read a while ago: “It is not whether or not life has meaning but whether we give it meaning” :)
Shannon Johnson

Jul 26 11, 5:52 pm PST

34
Great post, Tina :-) I have a little boy as well, 19-months now, and I have also found that having his love in my life has opened my eyes up to what really matters in life. I am still a driven person with goals and focus, but I have learned to settle down and sit still, to indulge in his smiles, and to, as you said, ‘savor the moments’. Life is a beautiful and precious gift, and we can lose sight of that so easily when we allow ourselves to be preoccupied with where we’re headed instead of enjoying where we are. I write about related topics and think you might enjoy one of my posts in particular – http://selfactualizer-blog4personaldevelopment.com/2011/07/13/creating-a-home-for-ourselves/ Thanks for the post!
Robert
Jul 28 11, 12:35 am PST

35
Very introspective. That’s the problem. Our major problem, for many of us who are Introverts. You will notice that Extroverts – don’t worry about life. They don’t try to find meaning. They just do it. They just say it. They just hang around. No time to be depressed because they are too busy living.

Get out of thinking mode and start living. EVERYONE.

Do. Experience. Take risks.

And it’s okay to fail.

It’s okay to have a shitty day.

Tina has a son. Don’t spend so much time thinking and trying to get meaning – while your life and your child’s life pass you by.

Live. Stop thinking. There is no meaning in life – but that which you experience each waking moment. That’s the meaning. Not in any meaning at all!

God bless us introverts all!
Neema
Jul 28 11, 5:39 pm PST

36
You know what is the meaning of life, the meaning of life is Jesus because when God created Adam and Eve he loved the so much and God warned them not to eat from that tree or they will die. But Adam and Eve betrayed them so theyre destiny was death. Because of that all humain have sinned and fall short to the glory of God (romains 3:23) but God loved us so much that he didn’t want us to die in hell so he sent Jesus into earth to take your place in hell he sufered and died on the cross for you so that you would not go to hell.
The meaning of life is to accepte Jesus as your Savior and Lord and believe in what i said because it comes from the bible and the bible is the truth.
If you do that you will never ask that question anymore because you will know the answer!!!!!!

Im telling you it’s the best thing that will ever happen to you!!!
Im a witness!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neema
Jul 28 11, 5:45 pm PST

37
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life (john 3:16)
Deep Thought
Jul 29 11, 8:25 am PST

38
The meaning of life is 42. This, I am certain of. I have checked it, and it is clear. Perhaps you just never knew the question.
ata
Jul 31 11, 12:48 am PST

39
Let me share some divine words ;
‘By the time. verily man is in loss. except those who believe and do good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another to patience
Tina Su

Aug 02 11, 8:19 pm PST

40
We’ll be back online very soon.. thank you for being patient and understanding. I’m doing the best I can to balance my work and family, and I am getting help to keep this blog going.

–Tina
Rachel Passer
Aug 19 11, 7:57 am PST

41
Tina,

What a wonderful aritcal! You are an amazing writer and have a beautiful perspective of life. When reading this, I found that I completely agree and actually already live by everything you said.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a great artical – if I had it in my power, I’d make everyone in the world read it. We need more people like you out there.

Take care. I wish you and your family only the best!

Sincerely,
Rachel (17 years old)
Em
Aug 21 11, 10:40 am PST

42
Thank you for sharing, I appreciate it! Lately I have been feeling demotivated in life since recently graduating and kept pondering this question a lot, however reading this article I feel so much better now. I have even wrote down some of the points so I can reflect back to it whenever I feel deflated. :) Cheers x
Corrine
Sep 01 11, 8:00 am PST

43
Thank you Tina for sharing The Last Post and for this article. It’s what I have been asking myself recently too. Why do we exist? Why do we have to go through life the way we go through them today? Qhere is the meaning? What will be there at the end? I still have no answer to that depth. But as I read a quote from somewhere, when you feel your life is missing something, it’s usually somebody. Perhaps.
marc
Sep 01 11, 10:30 am PST

44
Tina,

Great post!I agree wholehaertedly with everything that you stated!Lifes a journey,not a destination-couldnt have said it better myself!If I may be so bold as to state MY opinion on the meaning of life,I would say that among other things,it entails finding people and interets that will satisfy you mentally,physically,and spiritually,devoting and commiting time to caring about others being of service to them,finding a spiritual(higher)power and finding a relationship with them,and pursuing occupations and goals that will benefit you and the community.I enjoyed this article a lot!Keep on writing!
syuhada
Sep 06 11, 7:33 pm PST

45
Hi Tina, I enjoy reading your website about organizing. Then i see this articles make me want to comment about purpose of our life. For me, for a many thing we are chasing like a perfection of many thing such as happiness or succesfull there are a target that must be fullfill. I believe for a great power that created us. I believe there must be a reason why we are here (earth). There must be a creator. We are chasing what the creator of us want. And He know what is the best and what is bad for us. Then we know why we are here. That is my purpose of life .Just a little sharing from me. Thanks a lot on your article about organize or management. =)
Jimmy/Life Architect

Sep 21 11, 9:59 pm PST

46
For the half my life, assuming I will live till 80 years old, I have been living someone else’s life. The life that my parents wanted. The life that my friends wanted. The life society and circumstances wanted.

For the next half of the year, I am determine to live MY LIFE.

I enjoyed and marvel at the process and elightenment of myself. How come I get to find out about my purpose or at least start the search? How come some people like my parents were never given this chance to discover their true purpose? How come some people find their purpose in their later years and some in their earlier years? This is a mystery that I think I want to avoid solving.

I believe that our purpose, that is for all men, is to do more good and no harm to any life. And we can only truly achieve that when we are aligned to our mission and values. Anything last and we don’t give the best. That means that the universe will not get the best out of us. Mission failed.

I shudder when I am confronted with this question, asked by God when I am gone from this world: “Did you find YOU in your earthly life?” If the answer is no, than we would not have found our purpose.

Thank you for this very reflective piece.
Aaron - - -
Oct 09 11, 10:39 am PST

47
the meaning of life is hidden in the question itself, life IS the meaning of life.who you are, how you act,what you feel. Do not let other’s tell you who you are, you are who you want to be.
Eric
Oct 10 11, 7:16 pm PST

48
Thank you very much Tina for starting this blog! I really loved the main thrust of your article. Life is fundamentally about sacrificing yourself for the good of others. Paradoxically, this is the only way to achieve ultimate joy and meaning.
My only disagreement with you would be with the following sentence: “I think the meaning of life is what ever meaning we give it—and we can literally give it any meaning that “feels right” to us.”
There is a fundamental flaw in this kind of thinking: What if I said to you,”You’re wrong, life has an ultimate meaning, independent of what we think or feel.” you would be forced to reply, “You’re right to say that I’m wrong, because your ideas on the meaning of life are just as true as mine.”
If you’re right to say that all interpretations are equal, then my interpretation of you being wrong would also be right, which is a contradiction.
The way to make any sense out of life is to accept the fact that there must be such a thing as a truth statement: A statement that is true in an ultimate sense, regardless of what anyone thinks. (In fact, the above statement is an example of a truth statement).
If there is a God, then the statement: “There is a God” would be another truth statement. If there is no God, then “There is no God” would be a truth statement, and “There is a God” would be false.
When you talk about the meaning of life, you can’t say that everyone is right. And didn’t we all already know that anyway? If life had no purpose, and all that mattered was what we thought, why would any of us even bother posting these comments? What we are really doing, coming together and commenting on life like this, is trying to figure out what that one true meaning of life is.
I am very confused about life right now, so I woln’t pretend to have all the answers to these kinds of deep questions. However, I do believe that all the answers we need to live purposefully can be found the Bible.
Thank you again Tina for starting this blog! I eagerly look forward to seeing what mind-blowing things other people will add!
Arthur
Oct 18 11, 3:54 pm PST

49
So basically the meaning of life,is to give life meaning. The answer was in the question…
jesus
Oct 23 11, 3:46 pm PST

50
to find the meaning of life you would first have to brake it down, left/right, good/bad,yes/no,heven/hell….in this day in age society has tried to mix the both in witch to try to make perfection in all reality this can not be done just as love and money dont mix or water and oil or truth and a lie the true meaning of life depends on you. consider yourself in a war within yourself your flesh verses your soul or your mind verses your heart the path you take wether is good or evil depends only on you as a person and if you seek happiness then you must be true to your life not cheat steal or lie you must be caring understanding forgiving loving giving and more but people choice to mix there truths with there lies, there rights with there wrongs witch makes them go in circles its ether one way or another the choice is yours
What is the meaning of life

Dec 01 11, 4:41 am PST

51
I completely agree that no single answer can be ubiquitously shared and still be applicable for everyone. But this assumes that there is no universal truth or laws applicable to all humans. This may be the case, but the rest of the human condition is governed by a set of laws including gravity, time, space, wisdom, needs etc. The question is, although we may FIND different meaning in life, is this different to the concept of whether there is actually something out there that can universally offer lasting meaning to all?

So, even if something “feels” right to us at that point in time, it may not last. Is there something that can withstand time, culture, age, interest, etc, and apply to all people, anywhere, anytime?

I did an Alpha Course a while ago, and it was a key stepping stone in me finding an answer to what is the meaning of life, and I reckon it’ll help loads of others also.
syuhada
Jan 03 12, 4:01 am PST

52
First of all, I’m sorry for my broken english. But i’d like to share what i feel and believe. Our life in this earth will be so harmony, peaceful and tranquil if we follow the right way. If we cry, we still understand and calm, If we suffer, we still patient and smile. Our life in this earth for me only a test or trial for the individual from God (Allah). Then we will be evaluate in equitable in hereafter (after death). Life after death is the true and everlasting place. The place that will give us everlasting happiness and no doubt if we are in true way when we are in earth.

Just a little sharing..
Sean
Jan 19 12, 4:28 pm PST

53
Hi Tina,

Just to let you know, I’ve never did this kind of thing of giving feedback to a random article on the internet, but your article is different. Your article was the wake up call i needed in life and I thank you sincerely.
Rowan Luis

Feb 01 12, 3:42 pm PST

54
For an alternate perspective on the meaning of life see this article:

http://rowanluis.blogspot.com/2012/01/part-i-meaning-of-life.html
Wee Peng | The Conscious Life

Feb 05 12, 5:00 am PST

55
Great thought provoking article, Tina. Indeed, the meaning of life is what we make of it. And that meaning is likely to change as we go through different stages in life. As for me, the meaning of life at this point is to awaken to my true self. I wish you all the best for the public launch of your new book!
omar
Feb 06 12, 11:29 pm PST

56
Hello,
I have read your post, and well, like most people above me, I agree with everything you said..and I think I really needed to be reminded of this truth. Ever since I was a little boy I wondered what the whole meaning of life was, while most other boys thought about fun and fantastical worlds. I always questioned life and its mysteries..and as I grew older I began to research more and the questions began to duplicate. I do think that life is what you make it, and I really agree that the purpose of life is LOVE! I really do. I am really glad to be reminded of those ideas which I believe in, but seem to forget in the hurry of planning and securing a future that is always uncertain, in the stress of dealing with society, and in the blindness which the media produces. I think I will begin to make this a permanent statement in my mind!!! I have always thought that time is so taken as granted, and when you know it, its almost over, and then what?
Saurabh Sharma
Feb 19 12, 11:01 pm PST

57
Great Article Tina!
Reading the line, “whatever meaning we give it,” I found myself stunned and only because my cynical self was unable to respond negatively to this cliche, yet exceptionally profound statement. Reading through I felt compelled to bring change about my own life. Thank you. I now truly understand that life can only have a meaning once we cease looking for it.

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