What Gives Your Life Meaning?

[Changing4Best]

I have been looking at this question today and I wonder what kinds of things give one's life meaning? I think I will write a list, once I ponder this subject some more. I'd love to hear what you think gives your life meaning, it would help me a lot. I look forward to you thoughts on this.

 

[Recovery4Me]

Wow Sheila, this thread expresses such an awesome positive reframe!

I will take several swings at it as time permits.:clown: However, I wanted to sit with you a bit in acknowledgement of such questions.

For me, the meaning of life, has always been an 'journey' to discover my part of the dance. Many times, at different ages of my life, with changing external drivers, I sought to seek some hard answers. Sometimes in inspiration, often in my emptiness, frequently during my greif, even sometimes after glancing at the ravages of time on my face...I have asked, "What gives my life meaning?"

Outside of any box Sheila, I have found this to be a constant... love and alignment with my Higher Power. To love others and to receive love- be it in service, sharing or any other healthy expression is what gave my life meaning. There are so many creative ways to express love that a lifetime may not even be enough. :)

However, what took me a long while to understand... I had forgotten to start within, to nurture myself, to offer self acceptance and see my worth, so the emptiness seemed so raw. At times, it is good to build love for self in that hollow place and whisper to our Higher Power to fill it up in spirituality and unconditional love for us. In that manner, I can offer from the spring well of the water of life, not be thirsty and share to those in need or just because...love is so joyful.

Peace be with you today dear....you are well loved.:hug:

 

[Friday]

Nothing, at present, which is a foundational problem. I need to be useful.

 

[shrinkingviolet]

Being the best mom I can be to my daughters, to witness their kindness and compassion to others and their strong and loving spirits. They are my joy on earth.

 

[Fadeaway]

@FridayJones Suck don't it. The level and intensity in the effort I put into trying to find meaning with zero return hurts.

 

[GWhizz]

My little boy and our hopes to make a sibling for him soon :-)

 

[WillyKat]

At the moment, it's writing my book (almost done). It's partly autobiographical, but the main point is about healing from PtSD through intense wilderness experiences. But after that, I have to do some thinking. One long-term project is to get some training and get into a different line of work, one that involves counseling in some way, but also promoting healing and wilderness, and the environment.

Like others, it also involves being the best dad I can be. He's not little any more (24 soon), but I'd like to be there as he matures. My dad died when I was 18, so this is important to me.

Studies have shown that having a purpose in life helps heal. And I think one thing we sufferers can do is to help others heal, assuming we reach a point in our own recovery where we're able to give back.

 

[Fadeaway]

People have mentioned children, but any ideas for those who can't have children?

 

[Recovery4Me]

@Fadeaway Perhaps some insight on your take?

 

[Changing4Best]

I have no children, which deeply pains me, as this would be the time in my life when I would have had grandchildren, and I grieve over the possibilities that never were for me. (I had miscarriages, so I do believe my children are in Heaven and I will eventually see them). I see that for several of you, your children are very important to you and they add meaning to your lives. I am happy for you that this is so.

I sing in the church choir, I care about my family and friends and also about God. I do what I can to help people. I even, though I am poor, donate to various causes, even if only a few dollars. These things are meaningful, I think.

I have written 2 books, but only one of them was published. I could never get the 2nd one published. It was entitled IN HEAVEN and it was a collection of poetry based upon the Bible and my thoughts about what Heaven might be like. I felt my life had deep meaning when I was writing it and I had great joy in writing it too. Unfortunately, no publisher was at all interested in it. So it sits in my computer as a file and a hard copy of it sits in my closet on a shelf. It took me at least 2 years to write it. I am sad that it was never published.

Thanks to everyone who joined this discussion, I am grateful for your thoughts and look forward to other folks' thoughts on this too.

 

[The Albatross]

For me it's everything except the alternative (to not living). I have this attachment to breathing. Just read back and no, I couldn't have children.

 

[The Albatross]

Oh yeah this too (Nikka Costa tuneage): Link Removed