BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Self Development What Makes Your Life Meaningful?

What makes your life joyful, deep, and meaningful?

I'm looking for ways to broaden my life, make it better. My husband and I don't have kids....do kids make life meaningful? Volunteer work? Paid work? What makes you happy, and glad to get up in the morning?

Blessings,
Laurie

I have had to ask myself that after the death of my little boy and the impending demise of my daughter.

Learning, exploring my inner and outer world has been very helpful in this regard. Life is a grand and glorious experience, and I liken my life to strolling through a sunny meadow, gathering wildflowers of experiences to take back with me. Knowing that the good, the bad and the ugly all serve a purpose in expanding my awareness makes life meaningful to me, no matter what happens.

Knowing that we are given free will and creative power is exciting. Every day brings thrilling possibilities.

When I hear of people trying to find meaning and purpose in their lives, I always encourage them to add a spiritual component to their search. We are made of the mind, the body and the spirit and when you integrate all three into your life, you will experience deeper fulfillment.

People speak of doing what they were meant to do when they mean that they are doing what brings them great joy that comes from their heart. Do what you love. Love is what makes life meaningful and joyful...and it comes in many, many forms.

Wow, thank you Lori. I half-expected to hear mothers say that their children make life meaningful...but I didn't expect to hear from a mom who has coped with what you have.

If you don't mind, I'd like to write a blog post about making life meaningful, include your thoughts, and credit and link to you. Is that okay? I'll post the link here.

Blessings,
Laurie

Here's the article I wrote:

http://theadventurouswriter.com/blog/what-makes-life-meaningful-pull-up-a-chair-grab-a-beer/

Thank you so much, Lori!

Wow, I am humbled, Laurie! Thank you for including my thoughts into your article. And it was a great article, by the way.

I love your three simple tips for adding meaning to your life and I am applying all three. After focusing on me and my family's welfare for so long, I'm finally branching out into the community through volunteerism. I'm undergoing training to be a crisis hotline volunteer counselor!

You're right! It does add more meaning to my life! Thank you!

Hi Laurie, in your article above you said "...now that I�m halfway to death (I�m 41)...� That made me smile.

You may be interested to know that stats now suggest that, because of better medicine, food, etc., people in their 40s are expected to live to over 100 years of age. So you�re only about a third of the way through! (JOY)

This is so true. I have great love for so many people, including friends like Lori, and that gives a lot of meaning to my life. Love can bring people from near and far together in spirit.

Hi Phyllis, I agree! And love has some powerful effects on the human body. (See - How Love Affects You)

Laurie, you're a wonderful writer and it's heartening to see so many inspiring stories from all the women on here! For many years, the fostering, training, rescuing and adopting of animals is my staple in life. My grandmother told me a long time ago, "When you are sad, bring joy to others. As you help other living creatures to find happiness, they will share it with you." Finding joy in volunteering my time or watching a sunset while my 2 dogs cuddle me on each side, is an endless blessing.

Wonderful article, Joy. Yes, love is powerful. Thank you.

Your grandmother was a very wise woman. When you give joy you receive back so much. Your volunteer work must be very rewarding.

Very much so Phyllis! I miss my grandmother Flora very very much. Thankfully she will always live on in our family's memories. No matter how shy people made me, animals opened the door to my soul. Horses, birds, dogs, cats, you name it! When Lucy the rescued Saddlebred horse worked to overcome her shyness, I was so proud! When CJ the aggressive golden retriever gentled himself, I burst with happiness! When the feral cat who was terrified of ALL living things, gave me the 'I trust you blink,' she stole my heart and told me her name was Mineux! She's a great lap warmer as I type this...

That is so wonderful. The animal kingdom has so much love and joy to give us if we only open our hearts to them.

I love the name Flora. It is good to have such loving memories of grandparents. My grandmother, Eva Mae, was a very gentle and loving woman. She always wore lovely dresses (she called them house coats) and they had the fragrance of lavender. That is why lavender brings so much joy and meaning into my life.

Thank you Phyllis! My grandmother would be pleased. Eva--such a lovely name!! It's an amazing gift to have the loving memories of your grandmother paired with the gentle scent of lavender. May your sweet memories always bring you joy!

God first. Family second. Occupation third. Friends fourth. Reason 1 is God is why I exist. Reason 2 my family cares more about me than anyone. Reason 3 I can not help others if I have no income. Reason 4 I need people to help me serve God.