“ It is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts .”
— Adlai Stevenson
The point Stevenson illustrates is a reminder of how it ’ s easy to lose sight of living a meaningful life . It ’ s an interesting phenomenon the amount of time , energy , and money we invest in living healthier , longer , and happier lives . Yet , we often still feel unsatisfied and that our lives are devoid of meaning .
When it comes to living a meaningful life , there ’ s no one size fits all solution . What makes life meaningful is unique to each and every person . So to find meaning , you may need to do some exploration to discover what speaks to you .
Meaning can come from many different avenues . Unlike happiness , which stems from receiving or doing things for yourself , meaning comes from giving or doing for others .
Perhaps for you , it comes from fostering a close family relationship . For some , it ’ s about choosing a fulfilling career path that involves helping others through teaching , nursing , counseling , or coaching . Others find meaning by giving back to their community by joining the Kiwanis or volunteering as a Big Brother or Big Sister . Purpose can also come from forming an organization for a national cause you ’ re passionate about . Or perhaps taking up a hobby you enjoy , such as gardening , then donating your excess produce to a soup kitchen .
But before you begin your journey to explore new avenues for meaning , evaluate what you ’ re doing with your life right now . Maybe you ’ re already giving in a way you don ’ t even realize and aren ’ t giving yourself enough credit . If so , you may just need to reframe in your mind what you ’ re already doing and understand what you do really does matter . If it still isn ’ t enough to satisfy your quest for a meaningful life , explore other options that are important to you .
After you ’ ve determined what would bring meaning to your life is often where the challenge lies . You must now make a conscious decision and concerted effort to follow through . If you ’ ve chosen a challenging path , only you can decide if the sacrifice and risk are worth the reward of a meaningful life .
Often , we blow our sacrifices and risks way out of proportion . The most significant risk may merely be an unrealistic fear of failure . The greatest sacrifice may be little more than stepping outside your comfort zone or setting aside a little happiness in exchange for something more fulfilling , uplifting , and meaningful .
If these are the things holding you back , work toward changing your frame of mind . Schedule 20 minutes a day to sit in solitude with your eyes closed envisioning your meaningful life . Allow yourself to build excitement and desire for that which would bring meaning to you and others .
Also , spend some time each day reading or listening to audiobooks and watching online videos relevant to the activity that would bring meaning .
If you find you ’ re still holding yourself back , talk to supportive family and friends , and ask them to hold you to it . A counselor or coach can also lend support to help you move toward your goals .
Whatever path you choose , and regardless of its outcome , give yourself credit for your efforts . Remember , having a meaningful life is often as much about how you perceive what you do as it is about what you do .
Maybe you ’ re already giving in a way you don ’ t even realize and aren ’ t giving yourself enough credit .
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