What is the meaning of life? How to find out what is important to you
In my current Inspiration mail I introduced Tony Rinaudo.
An Australian boy who loves to play in the jungle that begins behind his house is horrified: All the trees are being felled. Fast-growing trees are to be planted for paper production where the jungle used to be.
But first there is erosion. Fertile soil slides into the rivers. Mosquitoes multiply and are combated with pesticides, which leads to the death of the fish. The boy prays desperately: "God, the adults are crazy. Help me to do something about it."
Thirty years later, he tries unsuccessfully to plant trees in the Congo. Until he discovers that it is easier to grow new trees from the roots of felled trees. Using his method, several million (!) hectares of forest have been replanted in Africa in recent years. He was awarded the alternative Nobel Peace Prize for his work. He was actually able to do something about the crazy adults.
It often becomes clear early on - as with Tony - what we see as meaningful:
Change things that we feel are wrong and that we want to change.
This blog article is about discovering your very own purpose. Whether you are still searching for your purpose or are already living it, it makes sense to look into it.
The basic aspects of meaning
By the question of the meaning of life, most philosophers understand the question of the purpose or deeper reason why beings, especially us humans, are in this world.
It contains several other questions:
- What is my origin? (Where do I come from?)
- What is my purpose? (What am I made for or why?)
- What is our goal? (Where am I going?)
- How do I live (correctly / best)?
- Who defines the meaning (God, society, yourself...)?
Every answer you find to one question also has an effect on the others.
What is the meaning of life?
You can hardly ask a bigger question than that. For thousands of years, philosophers, theologians and many other philosophers have been trying to find the answer to this question. It seems to be part of man's very nature to ponder the reason for his existence.
Many people long for more meaning in their lives. But it's not that easy.
I will therefore focus on the practical steps we can take to make our lives more meaningful.
Three different approaches to the question of meaning
- Ignoring: The question of meaning is not asked or is completely lost in an overly busy everyday life.
- Intensive: Constant questioning and searching for meaning.
- Pragmatic: Discover existing meaning and build on it.
Ignoring the question of meaning or putting it off until later means that you are living and missing out on opportunities to give your life more meaning.
Some people are unhappy in their lives. They think that if only they could find meaning, they would probably be happy. This is a complete overload of the question of meaning - moreover, it usually overlooks where meaning already exists.
Every person - if they look closely - already has some meaning in their life. This can be the simple fact that they are alive. Or a contribution that they are already making. Those who gratefully recognise the existing meaning and build on it act in a very meaningful way.
Make sense
I like the approach of the psychologist Viktor Frankl. He says that meaning is not found somewhere, but can be actively given. You may not be able to find meaning in an illness, but you can decide for yourself what meaning you want to give it.
Frankl did not develop this approach in his study, but under the harshest conditions - as a prisoner in a concentration camp. The purpose he gave to this difficult time was to discover and deepen his creative space.
The concentration camp deprived him of many freedoms. This motivated him to buy every remaining freedom: The freedom to listen to the birds, to use his knowledge as a doctor, the freedom to think for himself. He emerged stronger from this hard time.
This approach has two advantages: Firstly, it reduces pondering - i.e. the tossing and turning of questions to which we cannot find a conclusive answer.
And focusses on the one question that you can actually answer: "What do I want to do / can I give meaning to?" This strengthens responsibility and the power to act. You become active, take responsibility and act. With what you have. I think that makes sense.
This brings me back to Tony, who is a role model in exactly this respect. I got to know Tony and one of the FMNR projects myself. Impressive. He is a man who gives hope to millions of people. Including me. It's not for nothing that he was awarded the Alternative Nobel Prize for his work.
We have told his story in the new World changer impulse booklet written down: Tony Rinaudo. One who turns deserts into forests. He is one of many bringers of hope that we have portrayed in the world changer series.
For all those who want meaning and hope during Advent, there are 24 world changers in a beautiful box, from which you can pull a booklet every day: from Bach to Gutenberg and Sophie Scholl to Margarete Steiff. Hope every day. Ideal for a sustainable Advent season: the Weltveränderer impulse booklets invite you to reflect on ideals, meaning, values and commitment to others. And expand general knowledge at the same time.
To give as a gift or give to yourself.
G E N E R A L S P I E LWe are giving away a World Changer Advent Calendar worth 58 euros.here's how it works: Register now for the Inspiration mail on. And give your friends the tip to sign up for the Inspiration mail to register. Everyone who registers between today and 21 November has the chance to win a Weltveränder Advent calendar.
PS: If you have lost hope inside, I recommend my book Jump. Into full life. It shows you how you can regain hope after difficult phases.
