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By Skip Hellewell
It hasn ’ t escaped my notice you can get rich writing about “ finding meaning .” Hah . Viktor E . Frankl , noted psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor , made it big with his 1946 best-seller , “ Man ’ s Search for Meaning .” With millions of copies sold in dozens of languages , it ’ s still in print . Though initially derided by his peers , Frankl argued that meaning had spiritual roots and millions of readers wanted to know more .
Sir John Templeton , the clever
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fellow who popularized mutual stock funds , agreed . Taking umbrage with the failure of the Nobel Prizes to acknowledge spiritual contributions , he founded the Templeton Award , setting the cash prize above the Nobels . The Templeton Award recognizes contributions of a spiritual nature and was first given to Mother Teresa in 1972 . Fifty years later , the 2022 Templeton went to physicist Frank Wilczek who previously won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on forces within subatomic particles . It ’ s thought that Wilczek ’ s findings might lead to insights into the creation of the universe and mankind ’ s purpose .
A life with meaningful purpose is tricky ; like Thoreau at Walden Pond , we don ’ t want to get to the end and realize we haven ’ t really lived . But life is predominantly a physical experience ; the spiritual gets lost in the hustle and bustle of daily living . Maybe that ’ s the genius behind setting aside one day — Sunday — as a day of rest , a day we can set aside our cares and tend to the spiritual . This brings us to those good men and women who lead our churches — the priests , pastors , ministers and bishops of Laguna ’ s fourteen congregations .
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Is there a tougher job in Laguna that leading a congregation ? On the surface , it looks easy : be nice to people and deliver a Sunday sermon . But to make a meaningful difference , they have to convince us we ’ re not yet good enough , give some inspired guidance on how to improve , and motivate us to come back for more . This just might be the toughest job in town .
Taking all this into account and thinking locally , Laguna ’ s Interfaith Council created an award to recognize contributions with a spiritual dimension . The first year , 2018 , the prize was awarded posthumously to Ann Richardson , well known for years of quiet service , especially to the homeless , whose names she knew . When Ann went downtown to the bank , she would pick up the complimentary water bottles and share them with the homeless on the street . Ann was a unique person : though meek on the surface , inside she was hard as a rock . The last Sunday of her life she passed out little papers with tasks that needed to be done , then , with the last details tied up , went home and passed away a few days later . A well-lived life , replete with spiritually guided purpose .
The award to Ann Richardson ’ s
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family was well received , so the plan was to give this “ award for contributions of a spiritual dimension ” annually at the Interfaith Council ’ s Thanksgiving service . Last Sunday , the award was given to Rev . Lynn Francis of our United Methodist Church . Under Pastor Lynn , United Methodist has supported Laguna ’ s uniquely successful programs for the homeless , held Easter sunrise services at Main Beach , promoted a Community Partner Series of speakers from our community , presented talks on the Dead Sea Scrolls by Dr . William Yarchin , and the recent nine-week World Religion Series , etc .
Many people in Laguna are spiritual contributors . I think it is the hidden force in the uniqueness of our town . And I love this practice of recognizing , thus encouraging , contributions of a spiritual nature . We can be thankful for Rev . Lynn Francis , and all those who lead our churches . There ’ s meaning in that .
Skip fell in love with Laguna on a ‘ 50s surfing trip . He ’ s a student of Laguna history and the author of “ Loving Laguna : A Local ’ s Guide to Laguna Beach .” Email : skip @ lovinglaguna . com
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