Finding Meaning

“It is one of the basic tenets of logotherapy that man’s main concern is not to gain pleasure or to avoid pain but rather to see meaning in his life.”
-  Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

Does your life matter?

Another way I ask myself that question is: Does My Life Have Meaning and Purpose?

For me, my life has Meaning if I serve a Purpose.

Of the Nine Pillars, Finding Meaning (Pillar 1) is the most important, in my view. I’ve learned that feeling like your life has Meaning and Purpose improves Well-Being.

When you feel your life serves a PURPOSE, three ingredients are present:

-          You have PASSION for what you do

-          You have EXPERTISE in what you do

-          There is a NEED from others for what you do

If all three ingredients are present, your life has Purpose.

Here's the equation:

PASSION + EXPERTISE + NEED = PURPOSE

This is worth remembering. We need to feel our life has Purpose for happiness and Well-Being.

In Sanskrit, it's similar to "Dharma." In Japanese, it's similar to "Ikigai."

I understand the EXPERTISE and NEED part of the equation pretty well. It’s fairly easy to gauge your level of EXPERTISE in most endeavors. And you can find out if people NEED what you are offering. But the PASSION part is more difficult for me to grasp.

What is Passion
Passion is something you feel.

Remember when you were a kid, getting all excited about a new bike or baseball glove, or a new fishing pole or model airplane? Remember how your stomach felt, with the flurry of butterflies, the surge of endorphins, and how your heart rate rose with anticipation?

That feeling of excitement is how Passion feels to me, even still at my age. It's exciting.

This is how Passion feels in your work and life:
-      You wake up in the morning excited about the day ahead
-          You enjoy the people you are with; they are happy, positive, and a good influence on you
-          You regularly feel flow, absorbed with, and enjoying what you do; time flies
-          You know you matter to others; you feel you provide value and make a difference
-          You feel at least some of these: enjoyment, enthusiasm, creativity, fun, excitement, exhilaration, energized, rejuvenation

Why is Passion so important?
Think of people you know who are happy and successful. They seem to enjoy their lives, how they spend their time, who they spend their time with, what they are doing. They are Passionate about life.

Being engaged with things you are Passionate about makes you happier. When you are happier, it’s easier to express your Purpose.

Your brain is healthier when focused on what you love, what you are passionate about. There’s a decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions when you align yourself with what you believe is most important to you.

Knowing your Passions are your clues to what is, or should be, your Purpose in life.

Most guys don’t spend a lot of time thinking about and evaluating their passions. But knowing what you are passionate about is crucial to improving Well-Being.

To feel your life matters, you need to do things you’re passionate about. And you need to be clear about what those Passions are.

How do you discover your Passions?
Discovering and becoming clear about your Passions takes time and effort. It’s work.

It’s a journey inward to uncover what it is you truly enjoy.

Start by visualizing your ideal life and ask yourself:
-          What will I be doing?
-          Who will I be with?
-          Where will I be living and working?

Then make a list of your answers. Do it alone. Review and update your list regularly. What’s important to you now can change over time. Consider the important things that would give you a life of joy, passion, fulfillment, serenity, etc.

Think of your ideal life, not your possible life. Don’t aim low just to be safe. Raise your expectations. Push yourself.

Passion comes from the heart. When truly passionate, you don’t have to try to be motivated. Challenges and obstacles don’t deter you.

In my case, a few years ago I asked myself the same questions. Here are several of my answers:
-          I’m researching Well-Being topics
-          I’m writing about what I learn
-          I’m sharing my work with people who appreciate it
-          I’m living near a warm beach
-          I’m practicing yoga regularly
-          And, of course, I’m still pumping iron

When your Passions are clear, you can create goals that are aligned with the life you choose to live. Once you are clear, what you want is a lot easier to show up in your life.

Each of us is different. No two people are the same. We all have unique strengths, natural gifts, and talents.

I believe, for most of us, the older we become, the more we realize how important Passion is for our Well-Being. Life is not fun when we are not engaged with our Passions.

My evolution to work I’m passionate about
I spent almost 30 years in the investment business. First as a research analyst, then later I transitioned to marketing where I enjoyed interacting with people.

When I was offered the chance to teach college courses, I was reluctant at first. Who would want to listen to me? Nonetheless, I had an inkling I might enjoy it as both of my parents spent time as school teachers. I also knew teaching would push me outside of my comfort zone.

I left the investment business, turned my attention to Well-Being education, and moved to warm Miami Beach. I make time for yoga classes, Muscle Beach workouts, and hanging out with friends and family.

My PURPOSE is aligned with who I am. I’m PASSIONATE about my work, every day my EXPERTISE grows, and there is absolutely a NEED for it based on the daily feedback I receive.

I suggest you give some thought to what you are Passionate about; you have a lot of time ahead of you.

Thank you for reading!