We begin with two profound observations: (1) meaning is what is meant to be, but it may not be, and (2) whatever does not allow meaning is not worthy of being embraced, committed to, pursued or practiced.

The person living a life with meaning feels comfortable most of the time, good about the stand he takes, the choice he makes, even when his choice has not been the best one; he takes a healthy attitude toward each situation he finds himself in and toward the human situation in general. This person is happy.

Meaning is personal and non-transferable. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment. Meaning manifests itself through action. Everyone has his own calling or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete or definite assignment that demands fulfillment.

A persons should not ask what the meaning of life is but rather must recognize that is "he" who is being asked. In other words, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by "answering" for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible. Are you listening? Meaning and being responsible are interlinked in such a way that they are interchangeable terms. Shakespeare said, "To your own self be true and you then cannot be false to any man." Likewise one can say, "To your ownself be responsible and you then will have meaning in your life."

It is importrant to recognize that meaning cannot be created or invented. It has to be discovered or detected in one's self. To this we can add it can be sought after, i.e., a person can seek and find meaning. Seeking and finding are no less exacting than the law of gravity. It works.

The opposite of meaning is meaninglessness. Meaninglessness is characteriszed by anxiety, alienation, confusion, frustration, hopelessness, dis-ease and soul sickness. The latter may cause destructive behavior and lead to death. However, the soul can be ressurected.

Various kinds of experiences can help a person to discover meaning. Watching a sunset listening to birds sing, observing the moon, focusing on a flower may provide the illumination needed to discover meaning. Most assuredly, silence contemplation, meditation, prayer, surrender, communing with nature and sensing the presence of God with the sixth sense that transcends the five senses - seeing, smelling, hearing, feeling and tasting - may activate meaning.

Again let it  be said, that anything that does not engender meaning in life is not worth a person embracing, persuing or practicing. Qualities that greatly abound when a person is living a meaningful life are: creativity, spontaniety, enjoyment, peace and happiness.

Copyright 2010 by Uriah J. Fields