Meaning of life?

The simple answer and important fact is that life is a process, not a message. If it were a message, then nailing the meaning might be the best use of time, but it is a process. Assuming that life is a message is likely to cause quite a bit of frustration, sort of like looking for love in a bank account.

Please don’t get me wrong. Life is an amazing miracle nestled in the vast, wonderful, beautiful miracle of the creation of the universe. Miracles are things that can’t yet be accounted for by the laws of nature. Yes, I know that there are those who point to the workings of quantum physics to explain the creation of the universe, but that then requires an answer to the question of where the laws of physics came from and there are no serious theories about that on the table other than spiritual theories. Tough, I know, to face it, but the fact is that whatever happened to bring the universe into being was a pretty big deal for which there is no better explanation than miracle.

So, if you want meaning in life, build it. I believe you can, engine big or little. Depending on your history it might take some doing because, like me, you might have to admit to some things you would rather not, since a huge part of building meaning in life is to mean what you say. In other words, tell the truth even if that means admitting an uncomfortable fact about yourself. That’s step one.

Step two is to mean well. If that idea stinks, if you dislike most everyone and everything, search hard for something that you believe deserves your affection and let it flow. Once the flow starts, don’t every quit trying to increase its volume and intensity. Make a game out of it, see how good you can get at it and eventually, if you stick at it and try hard enough then some conscious being somewhere will likely take notice and think or say about you, “So and so means a lot to me.” (P.S. If you just can’t bring yourself to that point with a person, try a six-week-old puppy. If that doesn’t work I don’t know what to say except that I wish I could help.)

Be well meaning. You will for sure increase the chances that meaning will be good to you in the long run. Hang in there.