The Strategies
Enjoy this experpt from the book Strategies for Happiness: How to Achieve Your Happiness Potential. To get the full story, Click here to order a copy today!
Create Your Own Meaning
How we view the world around us is indeed a matter of choice. We need to choose wisely.
It may not seem that way. We look at our beliefs and say, "I didn't choose that; that is the way I always thought about the world." However, at some point in our life, we were presented with an idea of what to believe about existence, and we either agreed to it or rejected it.
On the other hand, we may be cognizant of making a choice about what to believe about our existence and place in the universe, including views about God or not, how we should live our life, etc. Whatever the decision, it feels so right and real. We may even see dramatic changes in our life. All of this may be taken as evidence that our beliefs are indeed reality.
Now, I am not here to say that your beliefs are either true or false. It's not up to me to tell you how you should or should not believe about your place and purpose. I can determine my beliefs only for myself, including what my purpose and meaning in life is. Whatever I believe may be totally different than yours, but it resonates with me, so for me, it's real. The same goes for you.
What does life mean to you? Some will say that it is to glorify God. Others will say to do good and make a difference. Still others account for their purpose in life as raising their children. All of these ideas may have validity, but it still comes down to one thing. What have you decided that you value in life? What you value will determine what is the meaning of your life and give your a purpose for living.
The beauty of this concept is that you have the power to choose. Purpose and meaning are not lofty ideals that only a few can comprehend. You have the power, the right, and the responsibility to identify your life purpose. No one else can do it for you, nor should you allow them to.
With choice, there is power. If you are sure of what your purpose is, and if there is no doubt as to why you exist, good for you. Go for it with gusto. Embrace it, enjoy it, fulfill it. If you are not clear about your purpose and the meaning of your life, create it. You have so much in yourself to explore.
Having a sense of purpose gives meaning to our lives. The Bible says, "Without vision, the people perish." Fulfilled people know their lives count – that they have made a contribution to the world. It could be a small thing, such as making people smile. It could be a grand thing, such as searching for a cure for cancer. Either way, they know they have made a difference.
Why am I here? What is my reason for being? If you don't have an answer to this question, you could feel lost and without purpose.
Today, we have so many things that make our life easier and less stressful. Yet many seem so stressed out. You see many children who are easily bored and restless. Often, people have to have something going on, something to do or somewhere to go. They always have to have music playing, the TV on or something to distract them.
Maybe this is so because often people are feeling empty, lost, and without purpose. They feel a need to fill up their lives with noise so they don't have to face the fact they have no purpose in life.
If you are feeling that way, I challenge you to create you own purpose if that is how you feel. Identify what you truly value. Be true to yourself, and don't get caught up in the idea that it has to serve others. Once you find a purpose that resonates with you, it will ultimately benefit the world as well, but you have to start with what is important to you.
It may be through a cause that is close to your heart for which you take a stand. You might want to find an opportunity to volunteer in your community, such as working with the homeless, driving people to appointments, or sharing your expertise with others through training or public speaking.
More than likely, you will have more than one thing that is of value to you. Be open to the idea that the purpose and meaning you create will also be multi-faceted. For instance, I have a friend who values his family highly and gives a lot of his time, money, and energy to taking care of them. He does it not because he feels obligated to do so, but because he values his family and it brings him pleasure to help them out.
However, he has other things in his life that he values. For over 15 years, he has volunteered at a local hospital. Every week, he drives patients to and from the hospital for appointments. It's just a simple thing, but it fills him with joy to know that he is making a difference in the lives of others.
You may value the ability to express yourself through music, art, or words. It could be the desire to travel, explore the world, and learn about all the cultures the globe contains. It may be a thirst for knowledge and understanding of what makes the world tick. The key is to make sure it is indeed something you value – something that is important to you. Don't limit yourself in any way, but be open to all possibilities.
It's a trap to identify a purpose primarily on what you think you should be doing. If you go with what you truly value, it will ultimately benefit the world. If you go only on duty, you may miss the opportunities to truly express your particular talents and abilities. Follow your heart and it will not only serve you well, but serve others, as well.
When you have a sense of purpose, you become fully alive and have such a sense of fulfillment. In order to develop meaning in your life, you need to examine what your natural inclinations and talents are, develop the skill you have, or discover new skills. In order to do this, you need to try things – all sorts of things, in order to find out what makes you tick.
This discovery takes action. You can't find it if you allow yourself to just sit in front of the TV, play video games, or do other passive activities. Try all sorts of things: join clubs, discover hobbies, take courses, travel, talk to people to see what things concern them, read. The list is endless. Be creative and open your mind to all the possibilities.
Think big, but don't overwhelm yourself. You can't save the entire world, nor do you need to. Just focus on what you truly value. By doing so, you will make a difference, however small, and it will have a ripple effect that will benefit all.
In the book, Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom tells the story of Eddie, a man who lived his life in pain. He worked in an amusement park, maintaining the rides. He was a widower with no friends, little money, and seemingly no value or purpose to his life. He thought his life was a waste, and that he had accomplished nothing.
He dies and goes to heaven, and through a series of revelations, finds out that because of his efforts keeping the rides in top working condition, thousands of children were kept safe while enjoying the pleasures of the rides. Though he finally came to the realization that his life did have meaning after all, he didn't understand this while he was alive. It's a sad thought that so many people go through their lives without realizing their worth.
If you are still stuck, let me give you an idea. Make your purpose in life to be the Best You you can be. Work diligently on developing yourself, learning, growing, and most of all, loving yourself. If that is your major purpose, and you do it without judgment in a healthy and balanced manner, you cannot help but become a happier person, and your joy is sure to spill onto others.
Being the Best You you can be is in everyone's best interests.After all, if you cannot value yourself, how can you value others? The Bible says "Love your neighbour as yourself." Make it your purpose to learn to truly love yourself. The world will thank you.
So, take a look right now at what it is that you truly value in your life. I hope that you are at the top of the list.