Life's Meaning is a Choice - Journal #19

A meaningful life is a deliberate life. You need to make deliberate choices concerning your own meaning. Many people question the meaning of life, and so many come up with no answer. However, there is meaning. There is meaning in my relationships with my family, friends, and my God. I find that I can help, support, serve, and find value in both others and myself. God says we became meaningful as we were created. There is value in each life and each person. Sometimes the significance of a life is so profound that it’s hard to miss, such as Mother Theresa. Contrasting is the quiet mother, who raises her children to be honest and well-adjusted contributors to society. This mother may not realize the importance of her life, if she undervalues her work and accomplishments. A man who has lost his job and has based his worth on his job alone can lose all meaning to his life. This loss value is often what leads to depression.

A meaningful life requires accepting your inherent value and living in the truth of it:
1. Accept that you are significant and have purpose, everyone does.
2. Find what you love to do. Whether that is a prominent leadership role, or a quiet behind the scenes service role; take pride in what you do. Don’t let anyone tell you that your job or hobby isn’t as important as someone else’s.
3. Create your own happiness. Don’t wait for others to make you happy, it may never happen. Find joy in each day: watch a movie, read a book, serve at a community soup kitchen, take a walk, call a friend, walk a dog . . . whatever makes you happy.
4. Put value on your work. Recognize what you did that day and take pride in your accomplishments.
5. Set goals, both short term and long term. Be flexible so that if things change your goals can change with them. Any focus can work; they do not have to be lofty goals. A simple goal might be, “I’m going to pamper myself with time to read a book today.”
6. Respect yourself and be considerate of others. You will naturally value and give to others; thus, earning their high opinion.

No one is an island; we need relationships. Do not isolate yourself; find reasons to reach out and spend time with friends and family. Work, play, relax together, and life will be meaningful. Seek your own meaning establishing in your heart the absolute certainty of your importance in God’s plan, and you will have found that life can be good.