The Meaning Of It All

What is the meaning of life?

I recently saw a Reddit post from a young guy who couldn’t find any purpose or meaning in his life. He wanted somebody to give him a clear answer and no one could, although many tried. None of them were the answeres he wanted. It got me thinking.

Have you asked yourself this? I know I have. Sometimes, like the guy on Reddit, at an unusually low point in my life. Other times I’ve just been in an introspective mood and found myself pondering my purpose and place in the world. (Or I’ve been reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In which case, the answer to the meaning of life, the universe, and everything is 42.)

It’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves; philosophers, scientists, spiritual leaders, and ordinary people like you and me. We have all sought answers to the age-old question: “What are we doing here?”

We look for meaning in religion, relationships, work, and even in our simple day-to-day actions. We need purpose. Something that says our existence matters. We want to know we aren’t just a bunch of atoms bumping into each other randomly with no rhyme or reason.

So, we search for that meaning, that purpose. Some people search for years, waiting for the aha! moment. Some look for success, money, or fame to give them what they crave. But I don’t think meaning is something we find outside of ourselves. It’s certainly not something someone can tell us on Reddit. It’s something we create, moment by moment, choice by choice.

People can find meaning in many different ways. A young person may find meaning in chasing adventure and challenge. A parent may find their meaning in the love and responsibility of raising children. A person of faith may find it in sharing what they have with others. I find meaning in helping people get fit and strong. But what feels meaningful to you or me today might not be the same thing that feels meaningful five or ten years down the road. And that’s ok. We evolve and change and as we do what is meaningful to us changes.

I was watching Society of the Snow a few days ago. It’s a 2023 movie taken from the 2009 book of the same name, which details the true story of a Uruguayan rugby team's experience in 1972 after Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed in the Andes Mountains. It’s tough to watch, but very good. In one scene, Javier is trying to encourage Numa, who feels useless because of an injury. Javier began to speak of his wife, who had just died.

“I hugged Liliana with all my strength. And I felt a love I'd never felt in my life. And I realized that I had a purpose, which was to take that love that I was squeezing there against my chest and bring it to my kids back home. Her death was not in vain.”

Javier’s meaning and purpose had become crystal clear. To survive so that he could take the love of his wife, their marriage, to his children, and in doing so, he would give incredible meaning to her life. That scene absolutely gutted me but at the same time was so inspiring. To be in an almost hopeless situation and still be able to smile and find meaning… that’s amazing.

I think we can find our meaning and purpose without such an extreme circumstance. It shouldn’t take a near-death experience to provide some clarity.

So, what can we do?

I think the first thing is finding out what truly matters to you. YOU. Not what others say, or what your upbringing has always told you. What are your passions? What lights you up?

Stop waiting for something BIG to happen to think your life is meaningful. Your life is already meaningful and you have a purpose. You might just be missing it because you’re looking for a big extravagant moment. Meaning is also in the conversations you have with others, the time spent learning about yourself, and the quiet moments of just being.

Challenge yourself to learn, explore, and grow. You never know what you might discover about who you are. We are not meant to just sit back and let life happen to us.

While each person’s purpose and meaning might look a little different I think they all have a common thread. Connection with others and contributing to something bigger than ourselves. It might not always be the case, but I think more often than not we are meant to be in community.

What is the meaning of life? There is no single answer. It’s up to you.

What is the meaning you want your life to have? What is the purpose you want to accomplish?

“Now when they remember us, they ask themselves: Why didn't we all get to come back? What does it all mean? You'll need to find out yourselves. 'Cause the answer is in you.”

Stay well, my Friends.

Alicia