Meaning

The often pondered question that continually baffles people on a day to day basis. What is the meaning of life? Where can I find meaning? How do I feel more fulfilled? Let's Talk.So, first of course, Webster. "What is meant by a word, text, concept, or action." I mean in a very literal sense this can somewhat be applicable to our question. What is "meant " by our lives? What is our purpose? This is something I teach when I'm working with students in Vietnam is that English is very contextual. The context in which we're discussing meaning is deeper than this. So let's talk about an amazing human, Jordan Peterson.Jordan Peterson says that to find meaning in our lives we need to seek responsibility. We need to carry a load. We need to bear a burden. Whether it be through a challenging career, raising a big family, or any other responsibility that you can decide on. Which is one of his main points, YOU get to pick the responsibility. You have to own the solution. No one else can push the responsibility onto you. It has to be a derivative of your own thoughts. Let's look at an example. A man who got married, had children, bought a house, and has been working the same job for 5 years. He then one day has a breakdown and says, "This isn't the life I asked for. This isn't what I wanted." The problem was that for so long he was told what to believe, what to do, what he "should" do in his life. He didn't get to own the responsibility. He was living his life in someone else's vision. Own your responsibility. This is why authenticity and questioning yourself is so important.A talk I had with one of my younger brothers had a similar theme with not such a grim outlook. I challenged him to question his beliefs. As I said earlier for so long in western culture we are told, what to wear, what to eat, what to learn, how to act, what to say, where to go, when to do things, that when it comes time to begin thinking for ourselves our fallback is based on the beliefs of someone else. And maybe I'm full of s$&% and you're happy with where you're at and that you have gone through this exercise and don't need me to sit here and proclaim anything. This isn't for you then. For once in your life you now have time to question yourself. You have freedom to go and explore, to find out if the things you have been taught are what you want to believe. The world is an endless treasure that can help you seek out some of the answers you desire and help you think through some fo your beliefs through reading, learning, discussing, and vetting your ideologies. DEFINE and OWN your responsibility, carry the load, you will find meaning.I think the difference I may have from JP (haha JP like were friends or something) is that I think there is another piece to this. The other source of meaning and fulfillment comes from people. I often speak about this in other articles, but the main thing is that we need deep meaningful connection in our lives. We as people are not good in isolation. Simon Sinek talks about this and I think it is one of the most true things about humans. We can't make it on our own. Life is about sharing our experiences with other people. We can have our own journeys and ups and downs, but when we can share that with other people is where we find meaning. Connection is something that gives us that distinct feeling of being human. That distinct fulfillment that comes with sharing what you have even if you have very little physically to offer. We often forget that what we may lack in monetary capabilities of giving, we can give of other resources. Our personalities, our knowledge, our love. I don't believe we can find true fulfillment or meaning without sharing our lives with other people.So, I'll end on this note. Question yourself. Define your beliefs first. Own your responsibility. Choose your path. Don't wait until it's too late. The longer you go into life the more your path will become comfortable, not making you want to deviate. So, start now. Do you really want to be in the above situation? Have a breakdown in the middle of a marriage, a broken career, and now carry the responsibility of a house, children, and much more? To then answer your friends and family with the mundane response of "fine" (hint, next article) when asked, "how are things?" Find meaning in your own way through the ownership of your responsibility and through your beautiful and deep connections with other people.On purpose,Matt