Finding Meaning in Life: What Matters Most to You?

Is it something that comes from within (intrinsic), or do you take cues from others (extrinsic)?

For me, meaning shapes what I consider important. But what exactly is meaning? It can take many forms. For instance, my mother holds immense significance in my life and means the world to me. I recognise that she is irreplaceable and that our relationship is profoundly meaningful to me.

Similarly, as I gaze at my Tibetan prayer flags, they hold personal significance for me. They are a visual representation of my beliefs and connect to a part of myself. Yet, I wonder if their importance matches the deeper aspects of who I am.

Are these flags more important than my mother? Clearly, they are not; they are simply pieces of cloth. However, it is what they represent to me that gives them meaning in my life.

So, what determines importance for me? Is it an internal sense of meaning or external or both?

When I reflect on my life, I think of significant moments, such as my time living and working in Chicago in my twenties. The friendships and work experiences from that period were deeply meaningful. Although those days are in the past, I value the fact that I still maintain a friendship with two people I met 25 years ago. This connection is a key aspect of what I find meaningful.

Why are these friendships significant? They reconnect me to a remarkable period in my life. Despite the passage of time, being able to pick up the phone and chat as if no time has passed is a rare and treasured experience. Does rarity enhance meaning? In this case, I believe it does. While I had other meaningful relationships during my Chicago years, they no longer hold the same depth of significance as they have faded into memories and no longer hold the same meaning in my life. Everything has its moment, and life always continues. Death and rebirth, the natural cycles of life.

So, what gives meaning to our lives? Is it connection, memory, love, or friendship? Perhaps it is a combination of these elements and much more. The significance of these factors can shift, a loved one can pass away, a friendship may fade or remain, and memories become more distant and less meaningful.

By contemplating what is meaningful to us, allows us to understand ourselves on a deeper level, and engages our value system, and leads to aligned decisions that reflect our true nature and inner self.

What is meaningful to you? And why does it carry significance for you? How do you move towards prioritising meaning in your everyday life?