sapientbreeze

The primary subject of study for philosophy and religion is meaning. “What is the meaning of life?” Much is made of meaning, and in this post theocratic era, meaning has become an abstract notion to most. Let’s take this idea apart… for once your meaning is explored, paths to seeking it will emerge.

Let’s approach this from an impersonal angle: imagine a tool, purchased from a hardware store… one you’ve never seen before today. Once at home, you ask yourself the obvious: “what is the meaning of this tool?” Step back and examine this: how would you approach answering this question? What is the question, really?

The actual question you are asking is “for what purpose was this tool designed?” Meaning is nothing without purpose. When a person asks about their life’s meaning, another might surmise that this person has yet to find true purpose in their life. Without true purpose, life has no true meaning… you are wandering in the darkness, whether you know it or not.

Imagine one day, you have a task that you cannot complete with the resources at hand… and suddenly, you recall this tool. You dig out the old tool with no known purpose, and use it to solve a problem no other tool you have can solve. This, is you… in the world. Does it truly matter what that tool was designed for, should you find your own purpose for it? Each person is not quite designed for a singular purpose, but when we find a problem that we are well equipped to solve, that is meaning.

Perhaps you follow a religion, and believe that God made you for a purpose. I fear that exploring religion is far beyond the scope of this post, but sufficient to say, this truth is compatible with that belief. Regardless of how you came to be, you have a purpose waiting for you out there, in the world. Should you seek purpose with an open heart, you will find meaning.

Perhaps you are lost, or feel unfulfilled with your life and don’t know how to begin solving that. I am with you, though I know you not… it is for you that I am doing this. I have been in darkness, and I was sure I’d never see light again. First, you must admit to yourself that your life must change, and that you are not happy. Say that, and you must know that regardless of where you’ve been or what you’ve done, you deserve happiness. It is never too late to bring light into the world.

Seek hardship, warrior. Remember that the blood of ancient mankind flows in your veins. The people who survived the ice age and every previous era did so to bring YOU into being. You have to look yourself in the eyes (use a mirror if you have to) and promise yourself that you will not give up until you find your true purpose. Promise that you will not settle for mediocrity. The Modern Era is full of people who have given up… they live in distraction and their lives lack any sense of meaning. Don’t follow them.

Consider returning here and browsing other posts, for everything I do is, in a sense, aimed at helping you find light and warmth again. You must be honest with yourself, do everything possible to avoid lying to yourself. Consider taking a prolonged break from distractions, try to numb out a little less if that is how you cope, find your way to the present moment and just BE with yourself. Only with an honest examination of yourself can you begin to seek true meaning.

Stop refusing to do hard things. Humans were made to struggle, to toil… our ability to persevere is our true strength. Seek hardship, stop taking the easy road everywhere you go. Exercise more, eat more food you know is good but not appealing. Move the needle towards what you know in your heart to be good. When it gets hard and you backslide, be honest with yourself: it’s hard, and I’m still growing, but I will not give up. Be compassionate with yourself: in many ways, you are still a child that needs to grow all on its own. It’s no one’s fault, it merely is, and you can do it.

You can do this.