My life has meaning
in that there are things that move me to love . . .
my life has purpose
in that I can be of service to it.
It means something to me
when someone smiles at me on the street,
and I make it my purpose to smile back,
and then to smile at others
and pay it forward.
The faces of the flowers in my gardens,
the warm glow of the tomatoes ripening on the vine
are like being granted a smile,
and I want to give in return . . .
nourish them,
water them,
support their growth.
I receive meaning from the Universe,
which gives me the purpose of giving back.
Simple as that. ♥
Meaning is different for everyone. For me it is nurturing relationships, personal growth, contributing to my community in some way and hopefully pursuing a spiritual path. My purpose has changed over time, at one point it was raising my children to the best of my ability and trying to maintain balance of family and work. My purpose now is to be a supportive role for my family and work in a field that helps the needy.
Concerning this question, the dime drops in pennies… In an essential moment, fear overruled my purpose and the meaning which spoiled everything. There was no gratefulness at that moment, only essential and existential fear. The alternative path taken to still be able to contribute someting of support was a dead end street. My chosen “alternative” purpose had not proven to be truth, as it was to be expected only i did not know then, there was not enough fire in it and meaning close to my heart was left on the altar of fear. It took me many years to accept that it will not gonna be change back to the purpose of being part of helping others to suffer less from loneliness, isolation and other separating aspects and to helping them to transform this into something positive.
There are no world for this just like the quote of the days says – they human mind isn’t truth – it’s karma, habits and body . If I were Truth I woul be living a life of Truth but I’m not . The Teuth is within us all but until we let go 💯 we are not True .
So words – thank you
The Internet says, “In simple terms, meaning refers to the significance or value we place on something, often related to understanding and comprehension, while purpose is the reason for which something exists or is done, often involving a specific goal or intention. Meaning is more about the internal sense of significance, while purpose is more about the external actions and goals…Meaning is more about understanding and feeling, while purpose is more about acting and achieving.”
At my age, I am not a goal setter. I’m not interested in success as defined by my culture. I do want to grow and for the most part am willing to grow. When I leave this planet, I want the energy that is released to be life-giving not fear-filled. Science tells me that energy cannot be destroyed, it just goes back into the pot so to speak. Perhaps, we are meant to create heaven on earth. That sounds like an uplifting purpose! Evolution/Awareness is always my focus.
Having clarity about what I see my purpose in life being can help me find meaning. But I recognize that my perception of my life purpose can and has changed over time. Purpose feels a little more attached to my ego whereas meaning feels like it has its own existence.
I think that the most meaningful thing is love– feeling love, expressing love. My dad has dementia. He had a meaningful professional career, but to me the most important thing about him is the love I feel for him and have received from him and especially remembering how much tenderness and love he gave to his own mother/my grandmother when she was in her ailing, elderly years. Also the love that he continues to give, though I recognize that it is possible that in the future the dementia could affect his ability to express that.
As a human, it seems that I have a need for meaning. For all of this to mean something.
And searching for meaning or doing things that mean something to me, gives me purpose.
Although, I’m becoming more convinced that I don’t need all of this to mean something. It just is.
Now purpose, I see as intention. I’d like to be more intentional. Less habitual.
This is a great question. Thank you 🙏
Ah, but turning some things into habits frees us to devote our mental energies to things that need that level of attention. I don’t have to think about brushing my teeth because it’s habitual. Just have to choose those things that become habits carefully.
Meaning is “why,” purpose is “what/how.” Both seem like good ways to get things done. That being said, I would prefer to see life as fluid, and my general purpose to accept what is. I don’t want to add meaning to things where there is none. And I don’t want to act purposefully on meanings that are constructed. To me, a lot of the practice is letting go of human-made meanings and purposes! And also being discerning about which meanings and purposes I choose to follow.
Drea, your interpretation is correct. When I saw the part about doing anything to gain an advantage, it carries an evil vibe. And with greater pleasure only comes greater pain.
“To me, a lot of the practice is letting go of human-made meanings and purposes! And also being discerning about which meanings and purposes I choose to follow.” Drea, your words are the words of a mystic.
Carol, you have helped me understand that being a companion to my friend as she passed was a mystical experience. Maybe it still is. So much fell away, so much. And I think of her often, how everything shed at the end. It has radically altered something within me. Hope you have a wonderful day ❤️.
Yes,
dear Drea . . .
you are radically changed
and you can count on that as Truth . . .
your experience was
and will always be
a mystical experience. ♥
Drea, your statement that “Meaning is “why,” purpose is “what/how” is helpful to me in relation to my reflection that the most meaningful thing is love.
Why am I alive? To love and be loved. That is one explanation of the meaning of my life.
How/who/what will I love today? That can be my purpose.
For me, purpose has an action element to it and meaning is what drives the purpose.
Examples:
-The purpose of doing my morning routine is because I find meaning in having time to myself to prepare for the day ahead.
-The purpose of me going out dancing is because I find meaning in having fun and moving my body while connecting with others.
It also occurred to me that I can use this to see why I still cling on to certain negative habits.
Ex: The purpose of me being hard on myself is because I believe it’s valuable for growth. But as I type that, I recognize I don’t actually believe that, that this was taught to me by others. I do see the importance of reflecting on myself but doing so in a way that doesn’t put me down, rather understanding where I need to improve.
I really enjoyed todays question and hoping everyone has a lovely day 🧡
I do things on purpose to create meaningful moments with my loved ones. For example, even if I enjoy hanging out with a friend, I still make sure to get home early so I have time to walk with Loc in the evening. ♥
May everyone have a lovely day filled with grace.
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My life has meaning
in that there are things that move me to love . . .
my life has purpose
in that I can be of service to it.
It means something to me
when someone smiles at me on the street,
and I make it my purpose to smile back,
and then to smile at others
and pay it forward.
The faces of the flowers in my gardens,
the warm glow of the tomatoes ripening on the vine
are like being granted a smile,
and I want to give in return . . .
nourish them,
water them,
support their growth.
I receive meaning from the Universe,
which gives me the purpose of giving back.
Simple as that. ♥
Beautiful 🌞
Thank you,
dear Robin Ann . ❣️
I am generally a bit confused, Mary. There is lot and lots about society that I just do not get! Best I let it go.
Meaning is different for everyone. For me it is nurturing relationships, personal growth, contributing to my community in some way and hopefully pursuing a spiritual path. My purpose has changed over time, at one point it was raising my children to the best of my ability and trying to maintain balance of family and work. My purpose now is to be a supportive role for my family and work in a field that helps the needy.
Meaning in your life,
dear Robin Ann,
gives you purpose. ♥
Concerning this question, the dime drops in pennies… In an essential moment, fear overruled my purpose and the meaning which spoiled everything. There was no gratefulness at that moment, only essential and existential fear. The alternative path taken to still be able to contribute someting of support was a dead end street. My chosen “alternative” purpose had not proven to be truth, as it was to be expected only i did not know then, there was not enough fire in it and meaning close to my heart was left on the altar of fear. It took me many years to accept that it will not gonna be change back to the purpose of being part of helping others to suffer less from loneliness, isolation and other separating aspects and to helping them to transform this into something positive.
It takes what it takes,
dear Ose . . .
time is of no importance in this instance.
You are awake,
aware,
and wise. ♥
Beautiful- I can relate
For me the purpose of life is why I live-why I am alive, the meaning of life is what I learn from living.
There are no world for this just like the quote of the days says – they human mind isn’t truth – it’s karma, habits and body . If I were Truth I woul be living a life of Truth but I’m not . The Teuth is within us all but until we let go 💯 we are not True .
So words – thank you
Meaningful purpose.
I work with purpose toward something that has meaning.
The Internet says, “In simple terms, meaning refers to the significance or value we place on something, often related to understanding and comprehension, while purpose is the reason for which something exists or is done, often involving a specific goal or intention. Meaning is more about the internal sense of significance, while purpose is more about the external actions and goals…Meaning is more about understanding and feeling, while purpose is more about acting and achieving.”
At my age, I am not a goal setter. I’m not interested in success as defined by my culture. I do want to grow and for the most part am willing to grow. When I leave this planet, I want the energy that is released to be life-giving not fear-filled. Science tells me that energy cannot be destroyed, it just goes back into the pot so to speak. Perhaps, we are meant to create heaven on earth. That sounds like an uplifting purpose! Evolution/Awareness is always my focus.
“When I leave this planet, I want the energy that is released to be life-giving not fear-filled. ” I love this, Carol!
Me too!
Having clarity about what I see my purpose in life being can help me find meaning. But I recognize that my perception of my life purpose can and has changed over time. Purpose feels a little more attached to my ego whereas meaning feels like it has its own existence.
I think that the most meaningful thing is love– feeling love, expressing love. My dad has dementia. He had a meaningful professional career, but to me the most important thing about him is the love I feel for him and have received from him and especially remembering how much tenderness and love he gave to his own mother/my grandmother when she was in her ailing, elderly years. Also the love that he continues to give, though I recognize that it is possible that in the future the dementia could affect his ability to express that.
I, too, believe that the most meaningful thing is love.
My Dad had dementia too, Elizabeth.
What I love and remember
most about him was his sweetness.
♥️
As a human, it seems that I have a need for meaning. For all of this to mean something.
And searching for meaning or doing things that mean something to me, gives me purpose.
Although, I’m becoming more convinced that I don’t need all of this to mean something. It just is.
Now purpose, I see as intention. I’d like to be more intentional. Less habitual.
This is a great question. Thank you 🙏
“I’d like to be more intentional. Less habitual.” Yes, dear Charlie, me too!
Ah, but turning some things into habits frees us to devote our mental energies to things that need that level of attention. I don’t have to think about brushing my teeth because it’s habitual. Just have to choose those things that become habits carefully.
Meaning is “why,” purpose is “what/how.” Both seem like good ways to get things done. That being said, I would prefer to see life as fluid, and my general purpose to accept what is. I don’t want to add meaning to things where there is none. And I don’t want to act purposefully on meanings that are constructed. To me, a lot of the practice is letting go of human-made meanings and purposes! And also being discerning about which meanings and purposes I choose to follow.
Drea, your answer here reminds me of mine on past questions. It’s a good reminder for me not to pull strings. Thank you. String pulling is curruptive.
Loc, if I’m interpreting string pulling correctly, it also consumes a person. Everything becomes about gaining an advantage. A stressful way to be.
Drea, your interpretation is correct. When I saw the part about doing anything to gain an advantage, it carries an evil vibe. And with greater pleasure only comes greater pain.
“To me, a lot of the practice is letting go of human-made meanings and purposes! And also being discerning about which meanings and purposes I choose to follow.” Drea, your words are the words of a mystic.
Carol, you have helped me understand that being a companion to my friend as she passed was a mystical experience. Maybe it still is. So much fell away, so much. And I think of her often, how everything shed at the end. It has radically altered something within me. Hope you have a wonderful day ❤️.
Yes,
dear Drea . . .
you are radically changed
and you can count on that as Truth . . .
your experience was
and will always be
a mystical experience. ♥
Thank you Sparrow.
Drea, your statement that “Meaning is “why,” purpose is “what/how” is helpful to me in relation to my reflection that the most meaningful thing is love.
Why am I alive? To love and be loved. That is one explanation of the meaning of my life.
How/who/what will I love today? That can be my purpose.
Elizabeth, what a beautiful meaning and purpose.
Thank you all for your explanations. It was very clarifying.
I don’t think you can have one with the other.
For me, purpose has an action element to it and meaning is what drives the purpose.
Examples:
-The purpose of doing my morning routine is because I find meaning in having time to myself to prepare for the day ahead.
-The purpose of me going out dancing is because I find meaning in having fun and moving my body while connecting with others.
It also occurred to me that I can use this to see why I still cling on to certain negative habits.
Ex: The purpose of me being hard on myself is because I believe it’s valuable for growth. But as I type that, I recognize I don’t actually believe that, that this was taught to me by others. I do see the importance of reflecting on myself but doing so in a way that doesn’t put me down, rather understanding where I need to improve.
I really enjoyed todays question and hoping everyone has a lovely day 🧡
I enjoyed your reply and I can relate.
This is an interesting and helpful way to look at it, Jenifer– thank you!
I do things on purpose to create meaningful moments with my loved ones. For example, even if I enjoy hanging out with a friend, I still make sure to get home early so I have time to walk with Loc in the evening. ♥
May everyone have a lovely day filled with grace.
My Ngoc, it’s always fun walking with you.
the love you two share here is amazing and inspiring. thank you for bringing me more hope and belief in humanity.