The Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life? Most people would shrug off this question with a simple "I don't know" and move on. But today I am going to discuss what the answer to the question truly is. Let us start by addressing some things we do already know.

Religion plays a large role in many people’s lives. One may say that the meaning of life is to live for and serve a God they believe in. This kind of idea can be found in various religions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Now, if devoting one’s entire life to serving a God is what makes them happy, I would encourage that person to do just that and that may be the answer to what that particular individual’s purpose is. However, I’m trying to answer this question “What is the meaning of life?” as how it can apply to every person, and since not everyone is religious, religion and anything pertaining to it is not a suitable answer.

Family is a very common priority to many people. This can be displayed in a multitude of ways such as attending church together and having a family game or movie night. But family is also such a tricky topic in life as it isn’t always rainbows and sunshine. Some people aren’t close with their family or even in contact at all. For those that are, what would happen if a tragedy happened costing the lives of that individual’s family? Would this then mean that individual no longer had a meaning to their life or a purpose? Of course not. For these reasons, family is not the answer.

Now, while an individual may state their life meaning is focused around religion or family, and it may be true for that individual, it was important to point out how those were not acceptable answers for every person, even though they are also correct answers. How? Let me explain.

Passion is defined as “strong and barely controllable emotion” (dictionary.com). Passion is what drives entrepreneurs in their businesses, preachers to preach, teachers to teach, artists to create, and so much more. A religious person who says their purpose and meaning in life is to live and serve their God says so because it is what they are passionate about. A person who is very close with their family and says that family is their purpose and meaning in life is to be with their family as much as possible says so because it is what they are passionate about. No matter what any individual person says their purpose and meaning in life is, the only thing guaranteed is that there is a passion behind it.

Well what about the people who said they don’t know, what is their purpose and meaning? Passion is still the answer for these people as well, the only difference is they don’t know this. Maybe it’s because they chose to ignore their passions, or maybe they haven’t discovered their passion yet. If one knows they have a passion and has chosen to ignore it, I would advise they change that. Passions can be pursued in careers and hobbies. If the career path is not a risk worth taking, take the hobby route instead.

For those that don’t know what their passion is, here’s a few questions to ask that can help find it. What makes you happy? What makes you excited? Is there a topic you’re either already very well knowledgeable in or that you would love to research more into? What were you doing the last time you genuinely smiled? Is there anything you think is super cool? Remember, it is very possible to have more than one passion, so having multiple or even several answers is acceptable.

In conclusion, the answer to the question “What is the meaning of life?” is passion. Passion is the meaning of life. Passion is your purpose. Whatever makes you smile, whatever makes your heart beat fast, whatever makes your mind run wild, that is the answer .