The Meaning of Life

Many people search high and low for the answer to this complicated question. What is the meaning of life? It seems like an odd question to me. I would first tell anyone who'd ask me that question to look in the dictionary.

Life: (n.)

1. the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally.
2. the sum of the distinguishing phenomena of organisms, especially metabolism, growth, reproduction, and adaptation to environment.
3. the animate existence or period of animate existence of an individual: to risk one's life; a short life and a merry one.
4. a corresponding state, existence, or principle of existence conceived of as belonging to the soul: eternal life.
5. the general or universal condition of human existence...

Didn't know you could find the meaning of "life" in the dictionary, did you?

You may be familiar with the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy answer of "42." If that's true, it's pretty disappointing.

I wouldn't suggest watching Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, but after much nonsense it's answer seems to be relatively adequate. "Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations."

All joking aside, this is a pretty heavy question. 

I was thinking about it this morning. 

I've come to find that we each desire to love and be loved. We were never meant to be alone. 

I believe that we were created for relationships. We can try to fill that desire with fellow humans, but we are imperfect, so our relationships will be. When we seek and find our Creator, we come to realize that a relationship with Him was what we were looking for all along. He is perfect, so He can love us perfectly. Once we find Him, it's our privilege to direct others to Him. 

When we are in relationship with our Creator, He gives us the ability to have deeper, more authentic relationships with others. Our capacity to love grows as He shows us how to do so.

Life is about this community and communion with God. 

I can't pretend to know all of the answers to life's questions. This is my imperfect attempt at answering this one, based on my personal thoughts and beliefs. What are your thoughts?

Life can be good

You know, it's tough getting started in the real world. Sometimes it takes longer than you think it should. Sometimes it seems like everyone else around you has got themselves together and has figured it all out, leaving you behind in the dust wondering when it's going to be your turn. If you're that person, it's likely that you struggle with patience. I know I do. 

Life can be scary when you're unsure where you're going to go, but keep your head up. It gets better. 

Eventually, something is going to happen that will make it all worth it. And in hindsight, you'll see that the period of waiting for your life to start had a purpose. You'll see that you've learned some valuable lessons, and there's a good chance that you've grown tremendously through it. 

I'm getting there now. My love proposed to me a couple of weeks ago, and I'm planning a wedding that I don't care so much about--I'm more excited about afterwards, being married to the man of my dreams. I couldn't have picked a better guy to spend the rest of my life with. The funny thing is--I didn't pick him.

I'm in an internship doing work that I actually enjoy rather than tolerate, and I quit my retail job.

The best part is seeing how far I've come in just this past year. By the grace of God, I am constantly growing and changing to become the person God made me to be. I'm learning to love in deed and truth, and I'm learning that grace is not something to be hoarded, but given out freely. I'm excited for what the future may hold, but right now it's time for some more waiting. I'm ok with that.

New Projects

  It's almost summer, and planner that I am, I've started some new projects to fill up my time. First off, I will be starting a full-time summer Admin internship next Monday. Additionally, I'll be working on rewriting a book. I'm also helping my boyfriend remodel and redecorate his house. I've volunteered to direct a church play over the summer, I'm coordinating a quarterly open mic night at church, and I'm still involved in local anti-human trafficking efforts. I'm still holding two jobs (Kohl's and a small cleaning job) on the side, as well. Am I starting to feel a bit overwhelmed? Heck yes. Do I think I can do it all? Probably not--certainly not on my own.

  If you haven't noticed, I have a tendency to get in way over my head. I'll probably have to drop more than one of these projects, but for now, I'm going to give 'em all I got 'til I burn out. Wish me luck!

Going Back

Earlier this week, I drove across the state to visit my friends back at school and prepare for walking in my graduation. Although I already have my diploma, I guess my graduation isn't official until I move my tassel over. Many of my friends are now just dealing with the fact that they won't see each other everyday anymore--a fact I came to realize back in December. I'd like to say that we'll all stay in touch, but the truth is I will probably not hear from half of them, and those that I do keep in contact with, I don't talk to nearly as much as I would have liked. I'm not terribly saddened by this even though I do miss these friends. Life goes on. We get busy with our jobs, families, and other actives. We make new friends, we remember old friends, and we cherish each moment we had with all of them. You never know how much you affect those around you, so make the most of it.

Perspective: part 2

I've learned to be content with my current job in retail, and since then my hours have dropped drastically. I think it's time to go out and start my search again. I honestly would be happy with whatever job I can get that would give me the hours and challenge that I need. You see, the problem with working retail is that I can feel my brain turning to mush. I try to keep it active by completing a sudoku puzzle a day, writing, and engaging in stimulating conversation, but I do feel that I need a job that requires some brainwork as well. So, my search is back on. My life has been greatly improved in these last few weeks, so I feel rejuvenated and ready to go. 

Writer's Block

After failing to get yet another job, I realized something this week. I'm mostly unmotivated to start my "career" because I don't want to do any of these jobs that I've been applying for. I can start my career whenever I want to because my career is writing. I just need to sit down and write! I never wanted a normal 9-5 job in an office somewhere. The only person I ever wanted to answer to (besides God and my future husband) was my agent. Sure, I wonder what it would be like to go down a different careerpath, but I chose this one for a reason. God knows whatever reason that might be; I'm still trying to figure it out. Rather than get myself down for not finding a job I don't want to do, I'm choosing now to take advantage of where I am because, honestly, this is where I wanted to be. It's time to thrive.
Hi-ho, hi-ho...

Perspective

    I've had it pretty good my entire life. Yeah, I dealt with bullies, went through my fair share of drama in adolescence, and it may have taken me a while to embrace who I am, but honestly? My life looks like a cakewalk. I just started reading Cry Silent Tears by Joe Peters, and I read part of Gordon Ramsay's Humble Pie a little over a month ago. I've also heard countless stories of human trafficking victims, rape victims, and unloved children abandoned on the streets. Society is steadily becoming more aware of the atrocities that innocent children face, and activists are working hard to amend these evils inflicted on victims by the people who should be protecting and loving them. Some sympathetic people may see these evils and question why a loving God would allow them to go on. Explaining it away simply as a consequence of one's sin seems unfair. Why should the innocent suffer? I have no answer. I cannot explain it except for the root cause of sin. Humankind is--at its core--evil. There are sadistic, crazy people out there preying on the weak. But, there is hope. God came down to change our selfish natures in the form of Jesus. I could go on forever talking about the effect He has on people and what He did to change us, but I'll let it be. If you want to talk, message me.
    All this to say that I am remarkably blessed to have had an uneventful life. I am not gloating in my fortune, but I understand that things could have been entirely different had I been born into another family, country, or belief system. Most of my mild misfortunes were self-inflicted--direct consequences of my own actions. Growing up, I sulked in my misery, throwing pity parties for being slighted by friends or verbally bashed by bullies. My mother rarely showed me any kind of sympathy--probably because she knew that I was far better off than some other kids my age. I was even bitter towards her for not being understanding. Now, I see that she was showing me a little bit of tough love. Life's not fair. People are mean. It's not always about me, so I really shouldn't take it personally. I had to learn that. The small troubles I faced as a kid shaped my character today. I now see the incidents in my life leading up to today as a blessing. I know that I'll face some more trials in the future. I might even face some "real" trials. (All trials, no matter how small, are still real trials although some may only consider the big ones "real.") I am equipped when they come with a hope from God. If He can get me through the little stuff, how much more will he take care of me when my life falls to shambles?
    Just because life has the capacity to suck, doesn't mean it will. I'm going to keep on living and enjoying today because worrying about whether or not I'm going to ever be able to do what I love will only hinder me from actually doing it. I want to be a world changer. I need to mobilize in order to fulfill my dreams. Fear of failure or rejection is going to paralyze me no longer. I will not sulk in self-pity because my job is less than I had hoped, and I'm barely making ends meet and stuck living at home with my parents. I will not despair because I've been temporarily separated from the love of my life. No. I count it a blessing that my parents are willing to put me up and that I have a job. I will soon be reunited with him with a deeper love than I have ever experienced before. And through it all, God has been there, pursuing my heart and holding me close. I am truly blessed. You are, too. I don't know what you've been through or are going through now, but there is some good in there. You may have to search for it to see it, but it's there. If anything, there is a God who loves you and wants the best for you, whether or not you believe in Him. As Sonny says in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, "Everything will be all right in the end... if it's not all right then it's not yet the end."