What am I doing with my life?
Inevitably, that question has popped into the minds of many during at least one moment in their lives. In my case, I've had existential thoughts ever since I was in high school, probably as a result of reading too many books for hours on end. As such, I've read many philosophical and historical books that discuss the meaning of life. But none have put it as directly, comprehensively, and realistically as Viktor Frankl has in his book, Man's Search for Meaning.
Aside from the fact that his book is practically a memoir of his experiences as an Auschwitz camp inmate, what makes Frankl's book so appealing is that it speaks about human nature in all its glory... and shame. I won't get ahead of myself and spoil you all the details, since this is a book I encourage everyone to read. I will, however, give you the gist of what I think was the most important idea Viktor Frankl wanted to get across.
So how do you live a meaningful life?
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Look for love or be in love.
It doesn't have to be a person, too. The main point is that you're going to keep living for that person or thing out of love. It can go the other way around as well because they will also help you live life, day by day. They will share your burdens with you.
After a rough day at school or work, I'm sure many of us console ourselves with the thought of going home to our significant other or our family. Why? Because we know once we see them again, everything will be better. Somehow, our burdens become lighter and the difficulties become easier.
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Do something for the world.
You may not have a significant other or someone you dream of waking up to every morning, but that doesn't mean that your life is meaningless. For others, what they do is more important to them. Their work is what occupies a significantly big part in their lives.
If you are that type of person, then invest your time in something you know is important to you, something you know you can devote your life to. Whether it is publishing a novel or becoming a doctor, your work can put meaning to your life. It may not be the easiest thing to do, but you know that it is exactly what you want to do. And that desire to work and complete that task will drive you to live your life with a purpose and fill you with a sense of fulfillment.
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See sufferings as opportunities.
We can choose who we love and what we want to work on. But, too often, life gives us things we don't expect. As much as we would like to have a life without suffering, we know that life can never be life without all the hardships. All the negative things we experience are just as part of our lives as the positive ones.
Does that mean we are all doomed to be miserable until our deaths? Of course not. While we might not choose to suffer in this world, we can definitely choose how we are going to react to those situations. We can change our attitude and start seeing them as the means to achieve our end -- our future. By doing this, no suffering, pain, or trial is meaningless because we see them as opportunities to grow and achieve our goals. We learn how to rise above our sufferings.
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In the end, we realize that we make our own lives meaningful. For every day that passes, we discover the reasons why we continue to live. We see our goals. And when man has a goal, when he has a vision of his future, he is willing to go through his present sufferings.
Because a future gives certainty and hope that there is something after.
As a result, man gets the strength and courage to persevere; he sees a reason to keep going. Thus, as Nietzsche said, “he who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.” As long as you see that there is something after, something beyond your present circumstances, you will be able to live through whatever you have to experience.