What Gives Your Life Meaning?

[Recovery4Me]

It's scraping the barrel to try to convince myself of any, & feels disingenuous.

Then maybe:nailbiting: part of your meaning of life is to be authentic in all that you are and do?
I know it plays a big part for me. (.)

 

[ihateusernames]

This is kind of a complicated question. I can easily say my son. My life revolves around him. Everything I do is geared toward him. I'm trying to "fix" myself- for him. So that he has a healthy, sane mother who doesn't f* his life up and all. And to make sure that he grows up with the best sense of self and the most compassion for others that he possibly can. I'm trying to get into a real career that's actually going to go somewhere- for him. To get him away from crappy schools and into a permanent home, hopefully.

So he is what I live for and so I guess that does fully answer the question on its own. But there are other things, too. My own personal ethics, the way I believe other people should be treated, my kind of wild ideals that I'm always trying to figure out how to live out or make a reality. So in that sense, trying to be true to myself gives my life meaning, too. I've had years worth of drifting in the past, but I've also had some good, grounded ones, too, before I was a parent- that's only a recent part of my life- and this is what was true for me then, too.

 

[jaccat]

Caring for my cat, being the best friend I can to my best friends, my connection to nature. This one was hard, took a lot of thinking.

 

[Fadeaway]

@Recovery4Me That seems to be my big problem. I don't have any intake into this as I am looking for an answer. I don't have any family or children. I don't have any special skills really, and I am most certainly not in to religion. Therefore, I am trying to other avenues in which to find meaning in my life. I am just not sure where to look.

 

[WillyKat]

@SheilaKathy . It's pretty easy these days to self-publish, which is what I'm going to do. There are a number of web sites. My current plan is to use Scribd, but there are several others.

 

[Changing4Best]

@WillyKat I gave the rights to the book to my church. They own it now.

 

[Recovery4Me]

@Fadeaway ... :hug::hug:

You are clear, concise and offer much thought & support in many of your post. I remember that you held a memorial for a loved one, that was so creative, compassionate and honoring. I am sure that you will open yourself up to discovery when you are ready. :hug: I am excited for your steps in this journey.:tup:

 

[Changing4Best]

I have one other thing that adds meaning to my life. My best friend, I give her emotional support. She was attacked many years ago by her then husband, while he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He killed their one month old daughter too. He's in prison now, life sentence with no chance of parole. She still suffers.

Then to make matters ten times worse, her niece was just murdered by her (niece's) husband. My friend is devastated. She is in deep mourning now.

I care very much for my best friend and supporting her in her PTSD is part of my life and makes me feel that I have more of a purpose. We have not had a chance to get together since this latest murder in her family, but I hope to get together soon. She's not ready yet though. I doubt she has even left the house since this happened about 3 weeks ago. But when she does leave home, I'll be here for her.

 

[WillyKat]

Something else that adds meaning to my life is responding to someone that's having a bad day and seeing them feel better. In some ways, it's like healing myself; it's easier to support another than it is myself. When someone feels better, it makes me feel better and adds meaning to my life.

 

[ghotiff]

Something else that adds meaning to my life is responding to someone that's having a bad day and seeing them feel better

This resonated with me.

When I was a child and miserable it was the random people that I interacted with for only 2 minutes that were nice that made all the difference in my life eg the pleasant Librarian.

My point is, don't discount these minor inputs.

 

[Changing4Best]

I have noticed that if I smile at folks, often they smile back. Saying "Hello." or something also does the same. I suppose if I brighten someone's day, even a little, that too has meaning.

 

[Deleted member 29889]

Dogs. Writing, The woods. My best friend.