Hello spiritual friends!
One common theme in my work with clients is about finding meaning and purpose in life. This is the element that makes life rich and fulfilling when things are good, and worth living when they are not. We want the focus of our day to bring value to ourselves or to others. For some, it may also include a connection with a higher power, God or a the experience beyond life on the planet.
Finding meaning from hardship
A number of years back, I read a little book by Viktor Frankl, called "Man's Search for Meaning". Frankl was a renowned psychiatrist who endured years of unspeakable horror in the Nazi death camps. During that time in the prison camps, he noticed that some people had the will to live through suffering and torture, while others did not. As a scientist he wanted to understand why some people were able to hold onto their lives through this extreme hardship and pain.
Frankl began an inquiry that would lead him to a revolutionary new method of helping people in his psychotherapy practice. During his study at the camps, he found that some people simply faded away and tragically died. They lost all hope. But others seemed to hold strong, no matter what punishment they endured. It is as if those who lived would not allow the prison camps to end their lives. They were determined.
He talked with people to discover what motivated them to live and what gave them hope. He found the ones who persevered held a sense of purpose about their life that carried them through. For some, it was the memory and hope of reconnecting with family or loved ones. For others, it was their work, a life project or something important that they wanted to complete. While he didn't know if his wife was dead or alive, Frankl imagined himself in conversations with her during the long back-breaking workdays in the prison.
For those who survived, the thoughts of meaningful people or important life work kindled the hope that kept a light burning within. Their own internal flame pushed back the despair and helped them focus on intention and endurance. This little flame held their attitude high and kept them alive.
Energy for life
The simple answer to finding meaning in life is to follow the energy of what feels important, exciting and invigorating. It isn't a cognitive decision; it is an energetic and emotional one. Discover what feels interesting to you or what draws your curiosity. Follow it and you may drift into something new and enlightening.
Our partners, family and loved ones enrich our lives. For parents this is a huge focus as they watch little ones develop and grow. Do you find your work stimulating and satisfying? Do you have a yearn to write, paint or engage in a new learning or endeavor? Is there a special place on the planet that feeds your soul?
The energy for life generates from the heart. The energy may come from our beloved, the satisfaction of our work, home or even the freedom of travel and discovery. What brings attraction, pleasure, affinity or contentment IS the energy for our life.
More than one purpose
I believe we each have many levels of purpose in life, not just one. I think it is important to look at our various focus areas and discover a meaningful aspect of each one. Maybe you work long hard hours but want to acknowledge the satisfaction it brings. For our loved ones, it is good to communicate how important they are to us. Perhaps we have some tasks in life that are routine. Recognizing that these chores make our life comfortable can help them feel more important. Looking for the positive aspects in our world helps bring more satisfaction and gratitude, which generates more of the same.
There may be activities or even relationships that were interesting in the past, but we have grown and changed. If those things lack energy for you today, it may be time to move on, find new discoveries. We are creative beings and every moment, every thought we have is constructing our attitude for the next moment.
Viktor Frankl's recipe
He recommends three things to help us discover the meaning or essence of life:
- Creating a work or doing a deed
- By experiencing something or encountering someone
- By the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering
Finding meaning and purpose in life has been characterized as some esoteric type of inner discovery, that is only available to those spiritually evolved souls. I would argue that this is definitely not the case! Creating a rich and fulfilling life is for everyone.
Let your heart drive!
Your curiosity, intrigue, excitement and good feelings are the best captains of your ship. Recognize what feels good and allow that to create meaning for your life. As Frankl says, it is finding those things that light our inner fire. And it is bringing a positive attitude to those "must do" things in life, that help make life rich and fulfilling!
