The Meaning of Life

THE MEANING OF LIFE

Why am I here? What will happen when I am gone? Why is there so much pain? What is the meaning of my existence? Why do some people seem to have it all and others have next to nothing? Why do we hurt each other? Do our decisions really change anything? Or, are we just carbon-based flesh-covered machines existing for the sole purpose of reproduction of the species? If so, does anything truly have meaning? If not, then what will provide us with a rewarding existence?

These are the questions that keep us up at night. We crave purpose in our existence, yet we are unable to find any true answers. We are fortunate to have evolved into sentient, cerebral creatures. However, the capacity to comprehend does not lend any more purpose, credence, or comprehension to our existence. What is the purpose of an ant, a fish, or a bird? Do they comprehend a future? Technically, our purpose in life is simply procreation. Yet, we have the capacity to do more, to act in ways that benefit both ourselves and others. We have the capacity to appreciate our existence, manipulate our environment and improve the lives of others.

We can be moral, compassionate people. We have the capacity to see misfortune in others and lend a helping hand. Even the concept of sympathy helps, but only through interpersonal expression. Some of us use this gift. Some of us have enough empathy to act on our beliefs. Others discard such opportunities, perhaps motivated by egocentric nihilism. The point is that each of us has a comfort zone and sometimes an action presents itself outside that zone, in a way in which one’s help can aid another individual immensely. That is not to say anything negative about an introvert who observes an opportunity to help and decides not to. A person’s inaction by way of introversion is not a bad reflection on them. And there are almost always opportunities for a person to change. We can begin helping any time.

Some of the most beautiful and gifted people perish at a young age. Mozart was only 35 when he died. Some of the most terrible monsters enjoy long, comfortable lives. There is no rhyme or reason to the great symphony of life. It is tragic, exciting, wonderful, and terrifying - all at the same time. Yet, we are not simply passengers through the passage of a certain time. It presents the opportunity to act in ways that benefit society. And, we can teach this value to our progeny. While that might not be our destiny, is it not our responsibility to teach such values to our children? And by doing so, their children will be good citizens and teach their own children to love and help others.

We do not exist to do something or to be someone. Randomness plays out its cynical role, bereft of kindness or generosity. We are born to wealth or we are poor. Our parents love us or beat us. Sometimes both. But we create our own destiny by making decisions. It is the only true freedom that any of us have. The consequences of our decisions create or deny opportunities. We can overcome severe impediments by virtue of our ability to reason and act wisely. This is not our purpose. Rather, it is a gift that makes us more valuable to the tribe, more worthwhile than the non-volunteer. The randomness of our birth condemns us to poverty or places us in circumstances of great wealth; we receive superior guidance from a loving family, or we are thrown into the cold, dark world as orphans. Yet, there are those who overcome travesties of unfortunate circumstance. Some of the most depressed people are wealthy beyond avarice. Conversely, some of the most unattractive, deprived people are also the happiest. A metaphysical explanation for death, heaven, God, other dimensions, or a parallel universe is not required for us to feel fulfilled. Happiness has little to do with ideations of conscience or delusions of morality.

The Torah teaches us that whoever saves a person saves the whole world. If there is any meaning in life, it is that we have the capacity to save someone, or at least to help others in meaningful ways, without expectation of personal reward. We can touch people and make their lives better; and in doing so, ennoble one’s soul. Nothing is more important than the value of your name. Its currency will last forever.

The context of this morality is love. It ennobles us and allows us to become more than we were. We can then teach our children to be good people by helping others. The human soul does not thrive on value (Nietzsche). It thrives on love. We have the capacity to grow beyond our self-centered ego. What we do with our lives echoes through eternity in those who remember us. The doorway to reward arises from just and moral behavior. Yes, it is subjective. But reason and logic alone leave us wanting. Environmental conditions and strength of purpose allow someone with a short, miserable life in painful squalor to become happy and fulfilled. To feel for a moment the joy of helping others, knowing that you touched someone's life positively; these are the sign of a solid moral compass reflecting a concentric love of community. Fulfillment comes from the knowledge that your presence in life improved the world in some way; that you helped someone or made their life better.

The fact that we have only one shot at life makes each moment, each interaction, critically valuable. There is no second chance, as far as we know. The currency of life as a human being is love. The more we give, the more we receive. Anyone can be wealthy in this respect.

Why do we fear death? Death is not good, bad, right, or wrong. It is only the normal end to life. It is a release for many and a desire for those who suffer. We mourn lost loved ones. The gaping emptiness is sometimes almost unbearable. Yet, through the sadness and mourning, despite the certainty that they are gone forever, we can rejoice in the way that they touched our lives and the lives of others. We can remember their love and then try to pass it along to others.

The noblest effort in our meager existence is to teach our progeny to be good people. If we do, then our lives will be fulfilled. And, when we are gone, they will rejoice in the way that we touched their lives and taught them how to love and help others. This is the meaning of life - to touch others positively and to be remembered as a good person – someone who helps others.