Searching for life’s meaning is a profound quest that each of us undertakes sooner or later. But as we navigate the daily struggles of life, we often place this inquiry on the back burner. Isn’t that true?
Haven’t you been brushing aside thoughts like, “What’s my purpose? What am I here?” while trying to meet your daily obligations? Yes, right?
It is natural for us to get preoccupied with our daily chores and responsibilities, so much so that we often neglect reflecting on our deeper aspirations and the larger questions that give our lives meaning. But once we gain control of our lives and manage to bring the scales back into balance, we begin to dwell on these intricate questions of life.
This is why many people, especially those who have accomplished their goals, view life through the lens of humility. After reaching maturity, they feel a natural urge to explore the deeper meaning of life and discover their true purpose.
Let’s see why it is important to find meaning in life and what we can do to live purposefully.
What does it mean to find meaning in life?
Finding meaning in life is all about living a life that’s worth living. By this, we mean finding depth in life where we aren’t just concerned about the material aspects of life, whether it’s earning money, building assets, or leading a successful career.
A purposeful life is one in which we feel content from within and experience happiness in the small joys of life. Often, we think that meeting our goals and desires will bring us the fulfillment and happiness that we are expecting. But as we age, we realize that the real joys of life, or the missing essence of life that we have been chasing through our desires, have been encapsulated in the simple moments of connection, gratitude, and mindfulness.
These are the times that remind us of the beauty present in everyday experiences. And they generally comes along when we understand the importance of living with virtues like humility, gratitude, empathy, compassion, service, and so on.
Ways to Find Meaning in Life
The true meaning of life is hidden in our widened perception. Nothing in the outside world can make us fulfilled. It is our deepened understanding of life that can make us feel whole and complete. Besides standing tall in our character and fulfilling our daily responsibilities, it is important that we pay close attention to these inquiries.
Follow these steps to dive deeper and know what life’s trying to teach you through your unique experiences:
#1: Choose to Self-Reflect
Looking inward is a powerful tool for understanding your true wishes and desires. Are you, by any chance, caught in the whirlwind of these questions?
🤔 What is my true purpose in life?
🤔 How can I experience bliss in life?
🤔 What do I really want in life?
🤔 What are my true desires and aspirations?
If yes, understand that this requires your deep contemplation. Giving yourself sufficient time and space to fall back on this deep investigation about life is important (more than you think it is). This often stems from our deeper calling and must be addressed in time if we want to improve the overall quality of our lives.
It isn’t an overnight exercise and might take years and years of contemplation to reach the conclusion. But once we do, we are bound to blossom with bliss and joy.
👉 Quick Question
What activities make you lose track of time and bring you joy?
One of the best ways to reflect on your values, passions, and beliefs is to start maintaining a wellness journal. It will take you through your inner paths and help you find your strengths, motivations, and true desires in life.
#2: Explore Your Passion
Take time to realize what truly makes you happy. Exploring your passions and interests will help you sail in the direction where you can find your true happiness. Without engaging in this inquiry and drifting wherever life takes you, you will only create discontentment and powerlessness.
👉 Fun Fact
Research shows that people who pursue their passions report a 90% increase in overall life satisfaction.
It’s not that you need to take control of life in an obsessive manner, but rather, you should be open to actively seeking what fulfills you and making choices that align with your values. You can try out different acts and see how they make you feel.
#3: Connect With Others
When it comes to living a life of purpose, connecting with others is something that we cannot ignore. Building meaningful relationships brings purpose to our lives. The need for belongingness is among the primary needs of a human being. And when we work towards it and make deep connections, we naturally feel fulfilled and content in life.
So whenever you feel emptiness in life, ask yourself a simple question: Am I truly invested in the people around me? Am I being truly honest within my relationships? If the answer turns out to be yes, know that you are on the right path to living a life full of meaning.
#4: Choose to Serve Others
When we selflessly serve others, we experience joy and fulfillment from within. This comes along as a reminder of our true nature, which is selflessly serving others. Have you ever witnessed a moment when you haven’t been touched serving others in their need? No, right? Now you know the drill.
If you are feeling a certain void within yourself, a simple gesture of serving others can fill you with gratitude and humility. Understand that becoming a helpful resource to someone is a dire human need, and qualifying on these small parameters can give you the satisfaction of the highest grade.
#5: Embrace Change and Growth
To standstill or get stuck in one place can kill your joy. Remember that the beauty of life comes when we grow with time and embrace change as it comes.
👉 Quick Question
How do you handle change in your life? Do you see it as an obstacle or an opportunity for growth?
We often get comfortable in our spots, but life has a way of pushing us out of our comfort zones. The more quick we are in embracing the change that life brings, the better it gets with time. There could be any possible change that we might be resisting at the given time: a place, a job, or a relationship. But when we move ahead, keeping faith in life, our conversation with life transforms, opening doors to new opportunities and experiences that enrich our journey.
Quick Tips to Find Life’s Meaning
- Practicing gratitude is a powerful way of aligning with your higher self. When you consciously put yourself in a positive mindset, you will likely receive the highest wisdom effortlessly.
- Helping others or doing selfless service is the most effective way to connect with your true nature. It often brings you into the center of your being and helps you find answers to these complex questions about life.
- Invest your effort and energy in maintaining true relationships in life. It will help you stay in touch with true values and virtues like humility, modesty, and honesty.
- Embrace new experiences. They will help you move out of your comfort zone and discover higher dimensions of life, which will bring you joy and fulfillment.
- Try to embrace the change in life, no matter how hard it may seem. Remember, growth only comes to those who are willing to step outside their comfort zone and face challenges with courage and emotional resilience.
- Celebrate small wins. Doing so shifts your focus to contentment and creates room for attracting more positivity and success into your life.
- Find ways to learn about your spiritual side. To search for a deeper level of contentment, you have to look beyond the mundane and explore practices that connect you to your inner self, such as meditation, mindfulness, or engaging with nature.
Conclusion
Finding the meaning of life becomes easier when we learn the lessons that life is trying to teach us. Among the common themes of life is the importance of staying humble and remaining compassionate toward every single being. It not only makes the world a better place but also enriches our lives by adding greater meaning.
The void we feel despite fulfilling our every need and desire arises from overlooking our greatest need for belonging and oneness. This is why serving others becomes the greatest remedy whenever we feel depleted. The best way to approach life is to be a little observant, and life will unfold its secrets before you.