Does The Meaning of Life Hold Significance?

Do you ever stop to question if the meaning of life truly holds significance? Is it even a priority given real-life practicalities like paying bills, acquiring a solid education, maintaining a roof over your head, or chasing an earnest career? And life is short. Surely meaning comes from having a good time and living it to the max, right?

What does it truly mean to live a meaningful life anyway? Isn’t it just some abstract and intangible idea that most of us can never grasp? What’s wrong with simply cruising through life, satisfied with monetary joys and pleasures?

Indulge me as I attempt to unravel the answers to one of life’s most fundamental questions and timeless quests in the search for significance. Today’s blog is a call to action, a reminder that the search for a meaningful life is a noble one. I hope you will join me as I shed light on 3 telltale signs of a life devoid of meaning and purpose. Focusing on one telltale sign each week to really dig deep, I’ll demonstrate why the pursuit of meaning is worth the effort. Telltale sign number 1:

• SEEKING EXTERNAL GRATIFICATION

We live in a world overflowing with endless playthings and irresistible allurements of every kind. The excitement of online shopping is unmatched, as we indulge in filling our closets and cabinets with stunning shoes, luxurious designer handbags, expensive gadgets, and all the latest fashion must-haves.

We’ve become part of a materialistic machine that enslaves us to the never-ending desire for more possessions and material gain. A cruel cycle that keeps us hopelessly addicted and stuck in a revolving door of euphoric highs and hollow lows.

We are a celebrity-worshiping culture captivated by the glamour and excess of their lifestyles, fixated on the luxurious and opulent world of the wealthy and famous. We get sucked into this magical dreamland wishing, hoping it what part of ours…even just for a moment.

We are obsessed with keeping up appearances, indulging in the newest trends to constantly look the part. Money and makeup cover a multitude of sins but it’s a small price to pay to hide the frailties and flaws and keep up young and relevant. The cars, the house, and the bling-bling grow ever more grand and impressive but who cares, as long as it makes us feel powerful and invincible?

There’s only one problem with this picture. It’s not real. True power does not come from the outside. It is an inside job! (Connect with inner essence using these 5 coaching questions in this captivating YouTube video).

When you connect and align with your inner self there is no void to fill up inside. Your innermost self is full and enduring, much like the vastness of the ocean or the strength of a mountain. It is an aspect of yourself that runs deep, beyond the surface of your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It is the unchanging essence that gives you a sense of grounding, stability, and resilience, even in the face of life’s challenges. Quite different from the insatiable and fleeting force of the external dynamic constantly demanding to be fed. An emptiness that can never truly be filled; every time it is appeased with one thing, it hungers for more, always seeking the next source of sustenance.

Absolutely, material possessions are cool to have and in and of themselves, they’re not a problem. In fact, they’re a necessary piece of the puzzle in the grand scheme of things. I’d even venture to say that they have the power to add a touch of happiness to our lives. However, the real danger lies in using these things to define who we are. When we equate our intrinsic worth to the amount of money in our bank account, we’re making a grave mistake.

And we say this playout with numerous celebrities drenched in luxury and lavishness, yet seem to be dying inside. Some, are so deep in their pain, that the relief of death becomes a welcoming alternative to the hollow and isolated existence they endure.

The list is endless: Michael Jackson, Robin Williams, George Michael, Whitney Houston, Prince, and Chris Boudreaux, but the theme is the same. What defined them externally, was not enough to sustain them internally. Beneath the surface lies a world of inner turmoil.

The more we have the more we want then we get stuck in a cycle of constant craving, weighing us down and leaving us burdened. A lighter load is easier to carry and unlocks our freedom.

The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are. ~ Mother Teresa

If there was a correlation between wealth and happiness would it not reflect in the happiness and health of our society at large?

Research Paints a Disturbing Story

According to recent studies, the United States, being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, has an alarmingly high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sadness. These findings are supported by data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which reported that in 2020, approximately 20.6 million adults in the US (or 8.1% of the adult population) had experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year.

Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has only amplified these issues, with a significant increase in reported cases of anxiety and depression, as well as feelings of isolation and loneliness.

These findings suggest that external factors such as wealth, status, beauty, fame, and material possessions do not necessarily lead to happiness and well-being. Instead, it is the quality of relationships and connections with others that have a more profound impact on our emotional and mental health. Investing in social connections and community building, rather than just pursuing wealth and material success. The search for significance, for something more enduring than the transitory pleasures of external gratification. A search that leads to a meaningful life and validates us from the inside out.

I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is ending up with people who make you feel all alone. ~ Robin Williams

Journey to a Meaningful Life

The fixation on external stimuli leads to the activation of the reward centers in the brain, resulting in the release of dopamine, which produces a temporary feeling of pleasure or euphoria. However, the high is short-lived, leading individuals to constantly seek out new stimuli for repeated bursts of dopamine release.

And the pursuit of external pleasure activates certain regions of the brain that are associated with negative traits and behaviors. They may include competitiveness, pettiness, perceiving others as threats, feelings of separateness and superiority, greed, lust, vanity, and jealousy. These negative traits arise as a means of fulfilling and enhancing external desires.

This shift in behavior and thought patterns may result in actions and thoughts that prioritize our own self-interest and desires over the well-being and interests of others. This can lead to a cycle of seeking external pleasure and gratification, which can further enhance these negative traits and behaviors.

Confronting this restless and whimsical state of mind marks the start of our meaningful journey. Let’s open the golden pot and take a peek inside.

1. Clarity and Contentment

Without the urge to compete, your mind is free from the constant pressure to outperform others. Instead, you can simply bask in the glory of your own being, unencumbered by the need to compare or measure up to anybody else. This shift from doing to being, unleashes a powerful sense of peace and contentment, allowing you to tap into an inner resevoir of resources to realize your true potential.

2. Graceful Acceptance

You embrace the grace and wisdom that come with aging and are unperturbed by society’s narrow definition of beauty and worth. Your appreciation for the natural cycles of life and for the unique journey that is yours alone, is deepened. Aging is a symbol of the profound knowledge you have acquired through life’s experiences, not just a number or a cosmetic procedure that tries to mask your true self. You accept every moment and revel in the richness that comes with growing older.

3. Enjoyment from Experiences, not things

Your physical space is less burdened and every breath is a refreshing burst of freedom. You wave farewell to the endless cycle of buying and accumulating, and hello to soulful experiences that nourish your spirit. You embrace the beauty of simplicity, where less truly is more and the weight of excess is lifted from your shoulders. You stand back and marvel at the frenzied chaos of consumerism, smiling in the knowledge that you have broken free from its grasp and can now immerse in your newfound liberation.

The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are. ~ Mother Teresa

4. Nothing to Prove

You possess a strength that radiates from deep within your soul so you don’t waste your time trying to prove yourself to others or engage in endless comparisons. The true power of your being shines brighter than any external validation could ever match. Your mere presence exudes grace and quiet confidence that captivates those around you. You don’t strive to be more attractive, younger, richer, or more accomplished. The essence of who you are speaks volumes, and it is this inner power that truly defines you.

5. Guided by Insight Not Impulse

The constant urge to buy every shiny new toy that hits the market or splurge on the latest designer gear could point to a lack of impulse control. Outgrowing this impulsive tendency can lead to greater insight and self-awareness. You cultivate discipline and make choices that are not driven by momentary whims, but by a thoughtful and less reactive approach. As you shed the chains of external gratification, untethering you from the material world, you widen your perspectives and are finally free to live life on your own terms.

6. Making Your Own Path. Decreased Distractions

You are painfully aware of the overwhelming grip that social media has on the mind and emotions, like puppets on strings, dancing to the tune of algorithms and notifications. And it’s not just social media, temptations, and distractions come from every crack and corner indulging every conceivable weakness.

But as you make your own path and live a more purposeful existence it shields you from succumbing to the seductions of superficiality. While they may still linger, the thrill and drive of deeper aspirations ignite a fire within that far surpasses the shallow allure of social media, leaving it with minimal power to influence you. It fails to meet expectations beyond a superficial level, and its appeal decreases over time.

Your Enduring Inner Nature

Discovering your inner nature is the ultimate destination on your quest for meaning and fulfillment. (Learn to savor moments of love and appreciation in my Guided Meditation)

Your inner nature is full and enduring, meaning that it is complete and unchanging. It is the essence of who we are, beyond physical appearance, personality, and experiences. It is the source of your strength and resilience, and the foundation of your values, beliefs, and desires. When you live your life in alignment with your values, you experience a profound sense of well-being – you are authentic, content, and joyful! Clarify your values with this week’s FREE Coaching Tool: Personal Values Identification Workbook. Get it here.

This inner nature is not affected by external circumstances, such as failures, successes, relationships, or material possessions. It remains unchanged, even when you experience growth, transformation, or evolution. It is the unchanging part of you that helps you navigate through life with clarity, purpose, and peace.

Your inner nature is full because it is complete within itself. It is not dependent on external validation or recognition, and it does not seek to fill an emptiness or void. It is full of love, wisdom, courage, and joy, and it is always available to you, no matter what happens in your life.

It is enduring because it is permanent and eternal. It transcends time, space, and physical death. It is the part of you that remains when all else fades away, and it is the source of your deepest sense of identity and meaning.

Your inner nature is the foundation of your well-being, happiness, and fulfillment. By connecting with it and cultivating its qualities, you can find meaning and live a life of peace, purpose, and joy, no matter what challenges you face.

Searching For Relief

It is common to experience feelings of being lost, alone, and disconnected from the world around us. We look for solace in anything that can offer a moment of escape from the monotony and bring temporary relief to our empty and aimless lives. And so we get caught in a vicious cycle, in search of fulfillment in all the wrong places. We don’t know where to turn or who to reach out to and it can be scary and overwhelming.

Our institutions and media outlets have failed us in providing the necessary tools and guidance to help us flourish in life. Instead, we’re constantly bombarded with advertisements selling unrealistic expectations and societal pressure to conform to a certain mold. These messages do not support the cultivation of inner wisdom, self-reflection, or contemplative practices that help us navigate life more successfully. The result is a society that feels disconnected, stressed, and searching for meaning.

Start With Contemplative Practices

Contemplative practices have been around for thousands of years and have roots in various spiritual and philosophical traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Christianity. The aim of these practices is to bring the mind to a state of stillness and introspection, allowing you to gain insight into the nature of reality and your own being. This can be achieved through techniques such as meditation, prayer, mindfulness, and yoga, among others.

The benefits of contemplative practices are numerous and have been widely documented. They have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function, increase emotional regulation, and promote a sense of well-being. Additionally, they can help you develop a deeper sense of compassion, empathy, and connection to others, leading to a more fulfilling life.

In today’s fast-paced world, where your mind is constantly bombarded with stimuli, the practice of contemplation offers a valuable tool to help you slow down and connect with your inner self.

By incorporating contemplative practices into your daily routine, you can enhance your life and find greater peace, joy, purpose, and meaning. Embark on your Mindfulness journey today and experience the profound and transformative effects it can have on your life. Discover more here.

Daring to blaze your own trail takes immense bravery. But the reward of breaking free from the suffocating pressure to fit in with society and constantly measuring yourself against others is worth it. The constant need to keep up appearances and compete with those around you can be devastating to your mental health, leading to the rampant anxiety and depression seen in our world today. By daring to be true to who you are, you free yourself from this toxic cycle and find the joy of living authentically.

Let’s Get It On! 😊

Life Coaching offers a safe and supportive space for you to explore your goals, values, and potential. Whether you’re feeling stuck or seeking to take your life to the next level, a Life Coach can help you gain clarity, create actionable plans, and cultivate the mindset and habits that will support your success.

With personalized guidance and accountability, you can overcome challenges, tap into your strengths, and create a life that feels fulfilling and meaningful. SCHEDULE a one-on-one Life Strategy Session with me today! Yes, that’s how close you are to creating the life of your dreams! ❤️

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With Grace and Gratitude

Michelle

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