So I was debating whether to write a post on ‘the meaning of life’ or perhaps one on ‘how to get a smaller ass and a six-pack’.
Which would you prefer?
You’re all so shallow.
Cut that out.
That’s why you need to read this one!
Well, the good news is that after reading this post, you’ll never have to read any self-help literature ever again; you’ll know it all.
That’s gotta be re-assuring and somewhat comforting.
Think of all the time you’ll save from here on.
Thank me later.
Yes, I’m being facetious and silly.
So, recently one of my friends challenged me to write a post on the ‘Meaning of Life’.
Not being particularly bright or one to side-step a challenge, I thought I’d give it a crack (Aussie for ‘try’), although it’s taken me a while to get to this point.
He asserted that I had been “skimming the surface with all that other superficial subject matter and that perhaps I should dive in the deep end with something really big”.
Well here I am, about to get all wet; no flippers, no mask and no diving experience.
And dive I will.
Surely I’m the natural choice to explore a subject such as this.
Okay, you’re right… there are probably plenty of people better qualified (or are there?) but I’m gonna do it anyway.
So in an age when space travel is possible, phones are now mobile computers and Michael Jackson can turn himself into some weird-ass version of Elizabeth Taylor, surely I can figure out the meaning of life.
Or not.
So, here’s my first significant question:
Who is most ‘qualified’ to answer the question of the ages… “What is the meaning of life?”
That is, if there is one person or ‘type’ of person who us mere mortals might assume would have the most insight into, or understanding of, this issue, who would it be?
I conducted a straw poll (as I do) and the answers I got were:
* Theologians
* Spiritual leaders
* Scientists (surprised me)
* Philosophers
* Old people
* Dying people (interesting)
I got a few smart-ass answers also.
Fortunately for you, I’ve kept them off the list.
So for over a month I’ve been thinking about writing on this topic but at the same time, feeling decidedly ‘unqualified’ to discuss it, even though I knew it would make an intriguing exploration.
Interestingly, even with all I’ve learned, I still found a way to tell myself that my thoughts on this matter probably weren’t worth hearing (reading).
Funny how we (I) do that, isn’t it?
And then I answered my own question…
I don’t need to answer the big question, I merely need to explore and discuss it.
So that’s what I’m gonna do.
We know a few things:
1) The ‘meaning of life’ question is probably the greatest theological and philosophical question of all time; the most explored and discussed anyway.
2) There is no definitive (universally agreed upon) answer.
3) Is has been the subject of much debate between groups of people (academics, theologians, philosophers) since the dawn of time and probably always will be.
Hey, there’s another interesting question (and source of much debate), “when was the dawn of time?”
Six thousand years (Creation) or Sixty million (Evolution)?
And another, “what is time”?
You best sit down.
Lie perhaps.
Get yerself a coffee, this could take a while.
Oh alright, we’ll tackle those issues another day.
Party Poopers.
Unlike me to digress.
Who’da thunk?
Okay, back to that little chat about the meaning of life.
So what else do we know?
Well, we know that the vast majority of us ’search for meaning’ at some stage, if not, constantly.
Perhaps not the meaning of life (strictly speaking), but meaning in our work, in our relationships, our music, our creativity, our faith, our beliefs, our achievements, our ’causes’ and our academic or ‘learned’ understanding of ’stuff’.
And what a lot of stuff there is to explore.
So I’m gonna throw my first Harpothesis (seriously crackin‘ myself up today) into the mix for you to chew on.
Harpothesis 1.
There is no (single) answer to the ‘meaning of life’ question because it’s meaning will vary from person to person; it’s different for different people.
I would guess that the meaning of life for a starving person living in poverty might be completely different to that of a wealthy, middle-aged business person living in corporate wherever, who’s biggest dilemma today is whether to buy the new Merc or the Beemer and whether or not they can get it in the gun-metal grey with the sun roof.
Perhaps it’s ignorant or naive to suggest that there could exist a single universally-acceptable, universally-meaningful and universally-relevant answer to this one question.
Perhaps not.
Harpothesis 2.
The question we should ask is not the unanswerable “what is the meaning of life?” … but rather the very-answerable, “what is the meaning of MY life?”.
Hmm, is that the beginning of enlightenment I can hear Grasshoppers?
A little ray of light piercing the cerebral fog perhaps?
Or perhaps some alternative version of you being awoken from deep within your subconscious.
There’s an interesting thought.
Surely the one thing we can determine is what our (individual) life will mean.
After all, we get to choose what we do with, and in, that life don’t we?
We get to determine our life purpose; what we will do, be and leave behind.
Sure there’s stuff we can’t control but irrespective of the situation, circumstance or environment we find ourselves in, our life-reality (meaning perhaps) will still largely be about the choices we make and the things we do.
Is it not a preposterous notion that someone else (an individual or organization) should tell you what the meaning of life is (for you)?
How would they know?
I mean (are you paying attention), how do they really… know?
They don’t.
Throw this question around (especially in some circles) and you will undoubtedly encounter a level of arrogance and superiority from some people (individuals and groups) who allegedly know what you and I don’t.
People who feel that they have the answer to the big question and that it is their personal responsibility to enlighten those of us who are, according to them, living in ignorance.
All for our benefit of course.
Yep, they think, they guess, they postulate, they hypothesize, they use fancy schmancy talk and occasionally they baffle us with bullshit… but do they really know?
Probably not.
Because the meaning of life for them, ain’t necessarily the meaning of life for me.
Or you.
And if you’re silly enough to disagree with, or perhaps question them, then there’s a fair chance that you’ll be on the receiving end of some indignation and a little self-righteousness.
Enjoy that.
Ugly, yucky people.
Yeh, sorry for thinking for myself.
How dare I have my own thoughts.
How dare I not conform.
Clearly, I’m a trouble maker.
To be avoided.
Note to the self-appointed enlighteners (a word) of the masses:
By all means have your own beliefs, ideas and philosophy but please don’t try and ram them down my throat.
I’m happy to discuss anything with anyone but I’m not up for having someone’s thoughts (beliefs, values, principles, philosophies) imposed on me simply because you think you’re right.
If I want to be enlightened by you, I’ll send you a memo.
Communication tip: telling me I’m ignorant ain’t a great way to connect with me… or anyone.
Stupidly, I’ll probably explore the meaning of life for myself.
Yes I’ll listen, yes I’ll read and yes I’ll ask some questions, but ultimately I’ll decide what my beliefs are rather than embrace yours.
Thanks anyway.
Maybe they’ll be the same.
Maybe not.
Even when it comes to religion (dangerous ground Craig, be careful… I can hear the noses going out of joint already) we don’t really know, we only know what we believe we know (with me?). We tell ourselves we know but if we really did know (as in we could literally and practically prove something) then we wouldn’t need faith… right?
When we can prove something (irrefutably), then there’s no need for faith, because we have knowledge.
I am not trying to be disrespectful to anyone (I have faith in things I can’t prove) but I think it is important that we don’t simply stumble through life believing what we’re told without seriously considering, evaluating and meditating on things for ourselves.
We need to do our own learning but in order for that to happen, we need to get ourselves in that learning space.
If we were all completely honest (about what we know and don’t know), we would acknowledge that often we’re simply making informed (or ill-informed) guesses.
I’m meant to be an ‘expert’ with many years of experience but even when I’m prescribing exercise for people, I’m still making an educated guess; I don’t know exactly what the outcome will be.
I have a pretty good idea, but I don’t actually (with certainty) know exactly what will transpire.
I think it’s sad that people adopt ‘other people’s truth’ because they can’t be bothered to think or explore for themselves.
It’s one thing to respect the opinion of others (parents, spiritual leaders, bosses), it’s another to be a drone or a pathetic replica of someone else.
It is important that we learn our own truth.
Listen to and respect others but don’t be them.
Think for yourself.
Harpothesis 3.
The meaning of life shouldn’t be about the accumulation of stuff, yet for many people, it seems to be.
We talk the talk but more often than not, we don’t walk it.
Even (some) people who like to represent themselves as ’seekers of the truth’ are full of crap when you get to know them beyond the public show.
The real them.
Sure, we sound all spiritual, philosophical and deep but under that skinny veneer we still obsess about what we have, what we look like and what people think of us.
Sad.
And ultimately an un-winnable battle.
If I worried about what people thought of me, I wouldn’t write anything.
I absolutely know that a percentage of people won’t like what I write or like me.
I get criticised every day.
That’s okay, it’s called life.
I’ll cope.
I don’t want people to ‘agree’ with me, I want them to consider what I’ve written, to weigh it up… and ultimately, find their own truth.
Their meaning.
Not mine.
To be challenged, confronted.
Uncomfortable even.
To grow.
We don’t need Craig Harper clones… some people would argue that one is excessive.
I know that I’m wrong on a regular basis.
But if I’m not making mistakes, I’m dead.
So I wanna keep making them.
One thing I do know is… of all there is to know, I know virtually none of it, so who am I to be arrogant?
Big Winnie (Sir Winston Churchill) asserted that “we make a living by what we get and a life by what we give.”
So maybe the meaning of life is to give.
And by giving, we get the most.
Or maybe not.
Maybe it’s about getting that smaller ass and six-pack.
Er… probably not.
Maybe it’s different for all of us.
Maybe we need to find the meaning of life for ourselves.
Yeh, probably.
* Of course I want your thoughts… click on the comment thingy.
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Awesome! It’s hard to find your own meaning. I find it hard to recognise what I want as opposed to what I think others expect of me. Kids definitely give you meaning. They are a more perfect version of yourself. When my boys were only small (2 and about 4 months) I found myself squished between them in a small bed, sleepless but happy. That was the best moment of my life. Lying between two little people who love unconditionally and listening to them breathe. Sure they give you some trouble but I wouldn’t know what to do without them. But as you say…it is different for everyone and I think giving is the key. Great post Craig. A thought provoking way to start the day. Guessing about 50 comments coming your way.
You writing some freaky shit but that’s an amazing piece of work. How long did that take? Well done man, I love what you write.
Keep it up.
Thanks, Carlos.
>>I got a few smart-ass answers also.
Fortunately for you, I’ve kept them off the list.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Hi Craig. Do you have make me think so hard so early in the day?
Great post. I need to re-read it – five times!
Hi Michelle.
Thanks!
Enjoy your day.
Hey Carlos.
Thanks.
It took way too long.
Sometimes I almost confuse myself!!
Peace.
Hi Kel.
Unlike you to be shy!
Hi Sandra… I struggle with it and I wrote it!
Cheers.
( )
Hiya Craig!
I know I say this all the time, but great post….
Kinda bizarre how this goes with my weekend…
Do you mind if I expound?
I was challenged by something recently and have not been able to shake it, it has caused me to DO and SAY things irrespective of how they would be received… all weekend (very brave me)!
1st, I agree with you, no one but ME can determine the meaning of MY life… we are not gingerbread men, and therefore not all cut from the same mold.
What makes me happy may be a miserable existence for someone else, and vice versa.
In all truth, my meaning of life at 20 yrs was different than it was at 30! And who knows what it will be at 40 (but that is sooooooo far away, I won’t stress now)!
Ok….
The challenge was: If you had 2 years to live… could you make a list of the things you wanted to accomplish during that time, list your life’s priorities? (that wasn’t the hard part… you can do a lot in 2 years, right?) But the challenge was, make the list and put it in a drawer. And for the next week, keep a journal of everything you do each day. At the end of the week, compare the journal with the list.
See if your “priorities” and goals are being given any “priority” in your life. Your actions demonstrate your priorities, not your wishes.
I thought this was very interesting and kind of a scary exercise!
But what a tool it can be, if used to align your goals with your actions to better define the meaning of your life.
Thanks for feeding our minds..
(())
Tami
Hi Tam.
You’re welcome.
Thanks for sharing; relevant and insightful.
Peace… ( )
Craig, Craig, Craig.
So much to say (after being AWOL for a while) but I’ll keep it brief.
After dramas and trying to read too much into everything I can safely say that right now, the meaning to MY life is to wake with a smile on my face. Hard to do some days but bloody worth it. I’m over ’sweating about the small stuff’.
That’s it.
P.S. I have two parents who weigh up every situation in life. They see both sides of every cupcake and rubbish bin. The greatest gift they taught me was to always look at something from all angles and to never close my mind to other possiblities (re: religion, politics, relationship problems and all the small stuff).
They guided and protected us but when it came to thinking for ourselves, it was important to them that we did. Our family dinners are extraordinary, balanced and respectful. I didn’t realise how much until I sat at other family tables.
Thank you. Again.
Miss Beck, Miss Beck, Miss Beck.
Whereyabeen Dude?
Thanks for dropping by.
Will I see you on TV any time soon?
( )
My Gooooooooood!!! This must have taken forever. Had to read it a couple of times. Children are the masters of teaching us the meaning of life if we are prepared to listen and learn.
Hi Marty.
Yep, took a while.
What have they taught you?
Cheers.
Hi Craig,
Fantastic post. You sound so much like my crazy, body-building, gym-going, Polish pastor. Every week he challenges us to grow, think, give and look outside of ourselves with his insightful, compassionate and yet “no holds barred” sermons.
According to “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” theory we only get to think about the meaning of life when other basic needs are met first. So first of all, how grateful am I that I live in Oz, that I have a roof over my head and food to eat, a support group of awesome people in my life. Because of all these things I have the luxury to take some time to think about the meaning of life and mine in particular.
Somewhere in all this, relationships and giving of ourselves to others must rate very highly on the “meaning of life scale”. Sometimes that’s profound, like being with a much loved friend or relative when they are dying. At other times it’s hardly anything at all (except of course to the recipient), like a kind word to the exhausted and grumpy looking check-out chick. Maybe even give her that chocolate bar you bought for yourself!
So for me the meaning of life is first my relationship with God, who straightens out my “stinking thinking” (your previous post) so that secondly I can have a healthy and balanced relationship with myself and everyone else. It’s soo… about relationships and so NOT about stuff.
I had a wonderful wise old aunt, a Lady with a capitol “L”, who spoke 5 languages, who refused to hurry through life, who always stopped to smell the roses. She used to say: “Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can make life a little more pleasant”. So maybe we should appreciate our “stuff”, not be consumed by it or by getting more of it, and maybe use it as a means to enhance our relationships and make someone else’s life a little more pleasant – then maybe they would have some room in their mind and soul to also consider the meaning of life.
As always, looking forward to your next post.
Anne C
Man…. that would have to be the second longest post of all time!! Thoroughly enjoyed it but!!
So I guess you don’t really agree with Monty Python’s answer of 42 ??
Not that I really know the answer either, but it a hell of a journey!!
Skater….
Hi Anne C.
Great stuff… thanks for sharing.
Peace.
Hey Skater.
Gotta love Monty Python.
Yep, I remember 42.
Funny.
Craig
You’ve given me a headache. I try not to think too much about the meaning of life because everytime i do the ‘black dog’ comes a knocking.
What makes you think a ‘middle-aged business person’ only thinks about their next car?” I know people who have a whole lot less and work low-paid crappy jobs but make sure they drive brand new cars which they pay more attention to then their families. People live well beyond their means because they are made to believe they need ’stuff’ to make them happy and to appear ‘normal’. Being rich doesn’t make you superficial. It’s what you do with it that counts and how you treat people along the way. I’m a big believer in Karma. I get my ass kicked all the time for all the nasty things i’ve done. Believing in Karma helps me to turn the other cheek when someone craps on me.
For meaning of life answers i tend to look to the comedians:
George Carlin on Religion: ‘religion is just another thing to distract us from what we really are’
Denis Leary: You wake up, you go to work, you come home and go to bed. And maybe somewhere in between you’ll have an orgasm and some cookies and that is it” (or something along those lines).
I always thought that the only thing i wanted in life was to be rich. But then i started questioning why by asking myself well if i was rich what would i do with all that money? And do you know what the first things on my list where? I would first help my family pay off debts, i would get my parents good medical care, i would by a house for my mother’s best friends who lost their home due to their selfish ex-daughter inlaw. That’s when it hit me i don’t want to be rich to buy stuff for myself or to have what everyone has, i want to be rich to help others. I don’t need money to do that. I want to be the person i am most afraid to be, someone who is open, loving and not afraid to stand up for others, and every now and then remember to smell the freakin roses and to live with energy and to mean what you say and what you do. So i guess to me the ‘meaning of life’ is to help others.
Ange-Sydney
Hey buddy…..
Good to see you’re tackling the small issues!!!!!
My meaning of life….. To Live!!!!
Live while you’re alive!!!!
Great post…
KK
XXX
Love the Denis Leary quote… its profoundly sad for mankind but horrifically funny!
made me giggle!
TB
Craig – in anwer to your “memo” – no seriously what a timeous post. I completed a course last week based on the work of Victor Frankl in finding the meaning of life. When you read his story (survived 4 nazi death camps) then you realise that you really aren’t having a shit day after all. My conclusion at the end of it all is we all have different giftings, values, views etc but the bottom line is without love the giving and receiving thereof life has no meaning !!!
Have a meaning filled day ()
Cheryl – Sunny SA – soon the be winners of the rugby world cup
Ange.
Are we seeing your soft side?
Nice.
I didn’t say being rich makes someone superficial… I know lots of poor people who are superficial!!
Money is not a problem, what it represents in our life might be though..
Cheers.
Hey Kate.
Ta.
Peace.
OK. it is not the meaning of life but a smaller ass would be nice…..as for cloning ….nah, they broke the mold on you…probably just as well but I enjoy the individual .
Hard topic…but once again great job.
Cheers Janine
Hi Janine.
Maybe I really should write a post on how to get a smaller ass!
Now.. THAT would get some comments!
See ya!
Loved the meaning of life post.
Now I want the one on getting a smaller ass.
Pretty Pleeeeeeease.
Hey Carmen.
Really?
I’ll think about it.
Monty Python?
42?
Pah-loise…..its from Hitch hickers guide to the galaxy. by douglas Adams. ( taking off nerd and smart arse hats NOW)
he he
elroy
You grabbed my attention when you said you would dive into the deep end and then you mentioned wet, flippers and snorkel all my kind of language.
I agree there is more to floating around in life just wondering the meaning of ‘existence’.
Staying buoyant and then propelling away is the way to go.
You know though Craig, surrendering to the moment has sometimes helped me glide thru life’s challenges more easily.
have a splashing week.
JSP
I agree totally that it really is about finding your own truth. For me it’s about developing my own sprituality based on my experiences, developing loving relationships, finding a meaningful job… and playing nicely with the other children
Hey Elroy.
Yep, you’re right.
That’s why you’re in my cyber-world.
( )
Hi JSP.
Surrender!!!!
You know I’m a boy right?
LOL.
( )
Hi Lauren.
You don’t steal their toys?
( )
Craig you rock! No there is no one person better qualified than anyone else to toss this question about…and I am glad there is only one of you…makes you special. You’ve done a great job of it – thanks. I may even send some more people to your site to check this one out.
Do you want the answer to the meaning of life or the secret to life?
There is no meaning to life it just happens you are here make with it what ever you can, given the oppertunities that come your way.
The Secret to life however is a poem I wrote.
” The Secret to live is how you place yourself in life “
Are you happy you have an expensive car
Or are you happy you don’t have a car, because you can walk
Don’t think you are less than because you don’t have what they have
Don’t think you are better than because you have more than they have
We all start the same and we all end the same
But it’s what YOU do in between that makes YOU.
Tanya…1994
Hi Jen.
Thanks!
Send ‘em along.
Cheers.
Hi Tanya.
Nice words; thanks for sharing.
TV, soon? Have you been stalking?
Yes, hopefully this Sunday 6.30pm Channel 9. If not, same time next week. Depends on the station.
Where have I been? Falling in love. Honey moon stages of a relationship. All consuming and wonderful.
Happy Birthday!
Craig,
I’m really glad that you decided to take on this subject! If more people had this discussion with themselves we’d all be living in a much happier world!
I had to face my own mortality at a very young age. At the age of 18 I found out that my life was more than half over! Now THAT will get you thinking about some big things!
Based on my personal experience, I believe that facing your own mortality is a necessary part of the “meaning of life” discussion. After all, we’re going to have to face our own death sooner or later – wouldn’t you rather do it on YOUR terms, rather than on DEATH’S terms?
Plus, when you confront your own mortality, you come up with your own meaning of life (as per Harpothesis #2). Additionally, when you begin to look at life as a precious gift, rather than something to which you are entitled, you begin to think less and less about the accumulation of stuff (as per Harpothesis #3) and more about the quality of your relationships.
Keep up the great work Craig!
ENJOY NOW!
-Patrick
I’m really glad that you have decided to take on this subject! If more people involved in this discussion with themselves we’d all be living in a much happier world!
Hi, my name is Timothy Tang and I have just completed the book, “Real answers to The Meaning of Life and finding Happiness”.
Many people feel that the interpretation to The Meaning of Life question is too subjective to have any definite objective answer but I have managed to formulate a real and objective answer to the ultimate question of human existence.
I have made a blog that introduces the book. Do check it out.
http://ultimatemeaningoflife.blogspot.com
“I am not trying to be disrespectful to anyone (I have faith in things I can’t prove) but I think it is important that we don’t simply stumble through life believing what we’re told without seriously considering, evaluating and meditating on things for ourselves.
We need to do our own learning but in order for that to happen, we need to get ourselves in that learning space.”
Bingo!
We all find our own truth in things and our own way of explaining things. I find answers to questions by meditating but haven’t really dived in as yet to deep meditation and really finding myself. Now I could say that those answers come from my guardian angel, my higher self, my soul, god, my subcontious… etc etc.. the answer isn’t clear, we just pick one based on our beliefs. Each one can be right to someone.. but I believe in finding your beliefs through meditation etc.
Anyway as for the meaning of life… I believe we are here to seek our joy. When we reach for joy, our own joy not someone elses. That is when we find success.. success being wealth, prosperity and abundance in every aspect of your life. We all desire to have, be and do different things and that’s what makes us so perfect, because while we all want different things we all fit together like a jugsaw. (Someone wants to be a farmer while someone else a doctor, the farmer farms the food for the doctor the doctor diagnoses and treats the farmers illnesses and so on and so forth
) We need to stop ranking things though, people want to be things for the wrong reasons like wanting a top paying job for the money and/or to impress others..
Something else I have been believeing is I see our feelings as our guide, if it feels wrong it’s an indication to not do it or do it different. If we feel bad towards something that has happened it’s an indication for us to change it, fix it or move on. I believe as we move through life through different experiences, good and bad, we grow and maybe that is what we are here for. For growth.
That’s my 2 cents, I love to talk about beliefs and hear others beliefs without it being a debate over who is wrong or right..
Life is a hypothesis which is to prove that a person is either a saint / evil character or a useless visitor to this planet. It all depends on what evidences you go on presenting on day to day basis for the society around to prove this hypothesis correct or otherwise. The society will record all such evidences and decide whether you are a saint / evil character or worthless visitor without any purpose to this planet.
Vinay Kelkar