We measure the usefulness of a life lived from many dimensions. Some feel that a life is useful if one achieves success or fame or spends it in service or has accumulated wealth and power or has lived it in piety and prayer. Some feel that a meaningful life is the one lived in simplicity, and some feel that it is only a life of challenges that makes it complete. All these are an outsider’s or an outer-looking point of view.
- Every life has a meaning.
- Every single moment too.
- Life is not about what we are or who we are.
- It does not matter whether we are the King or the Kingmaker or the inconsequential beggar.
- It is the effort at integrating the body, mind, and the soul.
- It is about finding the without from the within.
- It is about evolving as per the plan of Nature.
- It is about realizing the Divine by realizing our own true nature.
Leon Ho, CEO of Lifehack once wrote:
“Life, in its literal term, means to exist and reproduce. The reproduction not only includes the creation of humans like yourself, but also of thoughts, ideologies, and philosophies.” … Be clear on one thing: no human’s life is ever truly meaningless. Basically, your life can never lose its meaning and purpose. If you’re living in this world, there is some reason deep down. The only issue is that you have lost the vision to identify it. Your perspective is too blurred to figure out what you are in this world for. … A meaningless life may mean you’re going through an existential crisis. You could be borderline depressed. The feeling of emptiness may prevail all other emotions. However, you can be sure that, despite all of this, there’s still meaning to your existence.”
In his book Dead Toad Scrolls, Kilroy J. Oldster explains:
“The greatest challenge in life is to be our own person and accept that being different is a blessing and not a curse. A person who knows who they are lives a simple life by eliminating from their orbit anything that does not align with his or her overriding purpose and values. A person must be selective with their time and energy because both elements of life are limited.” And.. oh yes, I am opening the proverbial “pandora’s box”
Quote: “The meaning of life: Some theists believe that if there’s no god, then human life has no meaning. It’s not altogether clear what one means by the phrase “the meaning of life” because the things that have meaning primarily are sentences or propositions, and therefore life may have meaning only in a derivative sense. Supposedly, in wondering what the meaning of one’s life is, one is thinking about some positive quality of life that is connected to one’s life having a point: one is thinking about what one’s life is for, in other words, one is trying to evaluate one’s life. So, one’s life has meaning or not in the light of certain values. Presumably, such values should aim at objectivity, thus precluding merely subjective positions like “my life has meaning because I like it”, although such subjective liking is enough to show that my life does matter, at least to me.
Here are three views based on Aristotelian, utilitarian, and Kantian perspectives
- My life has meaning because it contains some activities that are intrinsically valuable.
- My life has meaning because it’s directed at bringing about good in the world.
- My life has meaning because it’s directed by the respect for persons.
Note that in actual practice these views need not mutually be exclusive. Some theists, by contrast, adopt;
4. Life has meaning because it’s part of some divine plan.”
What are YOUR thoughts?
Thank you Jonathan – glad to know you found something that gives meaning to your life – which is something NOBLE I’d say – as for the “disasters” well, yes Jonathan … it is the right word in my view – frankly I’m speechless facing the amount of all kinds of nonsensical things happening today in the world.
The world as we know it today does not bode well, at all, for any one of a multitude of different reasons – at least that’s the way I see it.
I wrote an article a couple of days ago that Dennis had the kindness to publish: “The Blind Race” – if I wanted to summarize in a few words what I wrote in it I would say: the carefree race of humanity towards the abyss.
Maybe, I think (and hope) when we are full, but really full, when we will be really sick and tired, when we can’t go on any longer, when there is nothing left – we will realize that we are doing very stupid things.
Anyway – we are still here trying to make people stop and think – and you’re very good at it. Thank you Jonathan – You, too, stay blessed.
I wonder, Jonathan Solomon, as “It does not matter whether we are the King or the Kingmaker or the inconsequential beggar.” why it is important to mention that Mr. Ho is the CEO of Lifehack? Does that change the credibility of the quote?
How often do we let ourselves be influenced not by what is said but just as much by who said it? Or devalue enough to not engage in something that comes from an “unworthy” source?
Thank you, Charlotte Wittenkamp, for stopping by and reading some of my things and for your comments.
FYI, I merely acknowledged Mr. Ho’s statements, as is customary when quoting anyone
However, my main point in asking the question still remains, “Are some lives meaningless”?
The purpose of this post was not to seek explanations for Life, or the purpose or LIFE etc… but to trigger a conversation as to appreciation of life in general – be it an unfortunate situation of a life being born ‘not normal’ and somehow reduced to full capacity, due to any external factors. Are these lives ‘meaningless’ or do they also have a deeper meaning that can relate to each of us in a more meaningful way? Are we just apathetic or do we somehow get emotionally, spiritually challenged to do a ‘little something’ beyond our empathy or sympathy??
I do hope that we all can appreciate all Life in ways that will make us better persons.
Thank you once again and Stay Blessed
Finding an answer is not an easy task.
What is the meaning of life? Is there a purpose? Often there is an inner nostalgia, of a life that still has to find a reason and a purpose: these are common questions to which everyone tries to give an answer, albeit personal and unique, and thus find his way, his path to follow.
Personally I think that the most sincere answer we can give ourselves is: the awareness of one’s own existence and of having taken part with one’s actions, with one’s work in something larger than ourselves.
Thank you, Aldo, for your continued support and for your insights. I always enjoy reading your contributions. What you shared is absolutely true.
But….. when we observe our other fellow human beings around the world, are there some lives that are meaningless?? Our morality and emotions may trigger negative thoughts towards someone who delights in destroying lives, cities, countries and, yet on the other hand, we may feel sympathy towards these affected by natural disasters and, yet others, who live in ‘squalid conditions’ and yet again, what about those who live in such areas where modern civilization has not even reached them? Are their lives meaningless, or are we too blind to even want to see/recognize / appreciate their “world”, or is there a greater meaning and message for “us as the privileged people”.. uhmm… I certainly hope that every life, where ever, does have a meaning, whether it is minute or has a huge impact.
Thank you Aldo, for participating in this conversation. Stay Blessed
I believe every life has value because it exists. I think you know me well enough to know that new age philosophy does not impress me. The holiness and sovereignty of God are what drives my belief system. Life has value and Psalm 139 expresses it. Here are some highlights..
For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began. God, how precious your thoughts are to me; how vast their sum is! If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with you.
Psalms 139:13-14, 16-18 CSB
Thank you Jonathan – I hope I find you well – great and meaningful article!!! I believe, in principle, that every human being has the right to live – and I believe it not for moral or religious conviction but for a sort of “something” which I think, we humans are not able to understand – therefore even the worst individual, whose life is really pure evil, has a meaning. Even if, as I said, honestly, I can not see any significance of it – on the other hand, we don’t even know exactly why a black Mamba is lurking in the bushes ready to attack anyone approaching, without apparent reason. All I can say is that maybe we all have a meaning in life or maybe no human has any meaning.
As for really understanding whether some lives are meaningless or not – well, you know – if we try to provide an answer that does not even propose the comfort of transcendence, well – I think it’s a purely private and subjective matter, a question of personal opinion.
As for me personally, I think maybe, the real tragedy, in some way, is burying what you have of yours, inside … maybe burying talent is the unforgivable sin that makes life meaningless – you know, like people folded on themselves, only focused on themselves – in this case, I think these people have nothing – indeed, even what little they have will be taken away from them.
Thank you Jonathan! I send my warm regards to You!
Thank you Dennis!
I am delighted to reconnect Massimo and thank you ever so much for your thoughtful and meaningful insights.
When we look around us and observe the world we live in today, with all of its natural and man-made disasters, the seeming hate and intolerance around us, one pauses to really thing – does our life really matter – is it all worth it…. And yes, I find that over the years working with all people in all kinds of humanitarian needs, I can truly say, Yes it was worth every moment invested in helping others. I am enriched and feel I am worthy – it gave meaning to my life and I hope it made a difference in the lives of people, I have encountered on my life’s pathway. Yes, every life matters.
“Even though the world is large, one person can still make a world of difference.”Frank Sonnenberg
Thank you, Massimo. Stay blessed