Finding Real Meaning In Life

It was the psychologist Carl Jung who pointed out that most of us spend about 35 years becoming competent at something, like riding a bicycle, for example. Then we begin to ask ourselves, "Why am I riding this bicycle anyway? What good is riding a bicycle? I'm competent, but so what? What does my life mean? What does anyone's life mean?"

At this point in our lives, we begin to question the meaning of everything and anything. We look around us and see that everything important is in advanced stage of change and self-destruction. Families, ethics, business, and government organizations are splintering into catastrophe. Worse, they are being destroyed by the very "successful" people that created them.

Why are we destroying our own creations? As a people, we have achieved incredible successes, but we have lost sight of the true meaning of life. We have confused doing good things, having good things and giving good things with meaning. Doing, having and giving good things is the best way to live, but noble behavior is not the same as having meaning and purpose in your life.

We are not here by accident, every individual is here on this earth for a reason; a specific purpose. You will die, your children will die and civilizations will rise and fall. Nothing on this earth is permanent.

You cannot find ultimate meaning in the things of the world. Not in your family; not in your career, not in your fame and not in working hard. Doing so will only lead you down the seductive path of being second best, of confusing material things with the only real excellent first value, serving others. Doing something to make this world a better place for future generations.

This doesn't mean that you should give up material things. Far from it. Serving others and making this world a better place for future generations means putting things in perspective, putting first things first. As C.S. Lewis wrote, "Put first things first and we get second things thrown in; put second things first and we lose both first and second things."

When we serve others and do something every day to make this world a better place for future generations, then good things, family, career, fame, charity, money, beauty, music,knowledge and success can be held in perspective, balance and proportion. Otherwise, we make something of secondary value a priority in our life.

By all means, ride your bicycle well. Do good things, have good things and give good things. This is the way to live, but don't lose sight of what is really important. Ask yourself every morning and during the day; "How can I serve others better?" "What can I do today to make this world a better place?" Then do, and do good. Then and only then will you find meaning and discover the true riches of life.