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Is your life meaningful?
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By *oughmanMan
over a year ago
Sunderland |
I can't definite "meaningful" but I don't think I've lived it. I'm 43 and have nothing to show for it. When I'm gone, that's it, unremarked and unremembered. Came to terms with that a long time ago. So fuck it, might as well enjoy myself now. |
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"When I'm gone, that's it, unremarked and unremembered."
In three generations' time (for some sooner), 99.9% of us (probably more) won't be remembered at all.
So I wouldn't worry about it too much. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"When I'm gone, that's it, unremarked and unremembered.
In three generations' time (for some sooner), 99.9% of us (probably more) won't be remembered at all.
So I wouldn't worry about it too much."
We’re all just kicking that can down the road waiting to die, right? |
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By *uacksplat.Woman
over a year ago
Star Trekking Across The Universe |
yes, my life is meaningful, the things that fill my life are meaningful, and my job has meaningful purpose to many other lives.
some days it might not feel like it, or im in a pit and fail to remember it, and im sure others can relate to that.
Px |
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Difficult to define but I like these as my definition of it.
A meaningful life is one where you feel connected to the people and places around you and embracing the three big sources of meaning in life of creating, learning and contributing. Very few of us achieve that kind of utopia but some of us try. |
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"When I'm gone, that's it, unremarked and unremembered.
In three generations' time (for some sooner), 99.9% of us (probably more) won't be remembered at all.
So I wouldn't worry about it too much.
We’re all just kicking that can down the road waiting to die, right?"
Most certainly. Some of us are better at kicking the can than others, but ultimately the can will one day no longer be kicked. |
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Apart from bringing up some well balanced, successful kids... absolutely nothing really.. but then, what more can most people hope for. I shan’t go down in history for anything great, but not for anything awful either . Which is fine  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have my 2 kids, who I thought I would never have so thats defo meaningful.
I am trying to make my experiences/trauma help other people by being vocal about them, on the radio, in support groups etc. Give them a purpose rather than be something negative. So I think thats meaningful. |
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I would say yes, although meaningful will have different definitions to different people.
If you have done some good, or offered some good advice to just one person, you have had a meaningful impact on them. That doesnt have to happen every day, but at least you have made a difference to somebody or something. |
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Yes I have led a meaningful life. We've raised two great children into adults, I've paid my taxes, had some lovely relationships and enjoyed a lot of great experiences.
Almost everyone's life means something to someone if not the person themselves.
To me meaningful is being alive and having an influence on other people. We can't all be Mahatma Ghandi though |
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Just to add I don't think a meaningful life is necessarily a good one. The phrase 'they didn't die in vain' is often used about people who've had horrible deaths and hideous criminals sometimes influence other people to bring about good change |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I've done quite a lot with my life, but does that give it meaning?
I'm not quite sure what defines meaningful in these strange times. And meaningful to who?
I certainly have many moments of existential angst! |
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By *upanovaMan
over a year ago
Sheffield |
"yes, my life is meaningful, the things that fill my life are meaningful, and my job has meaningful purpose to many other lives.
some days it might not feel like it, or im in a pit and fail to remember it, and im sure others can relate to that.
Px "
I think you are right. Some days are more meaningful than others. Some are just dull, some are shit. But put on a grown up pants head to next day as you never know what that will bring. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I guess all lives have meaning in two ways: the objective effect we have on others for good and bad, and the subjective meaning we project on our own lives.
The first is not for me to judge, the second I'd say pretty meaningless but happy with that. Existential crises are draining; just living is better. |
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"Do you think you've led a meaningful life? Do you think a life needs to be meaningful? What does meaningful mean to you?"
These are such deep questions, I love them.
I've read a definition before which combines purpose, significance, fulfillment, and satisfaction. I'm not sure my life has a distinct purpose, other than living it with love and care and having some kind of impact on the world, but I'm certain I'm fulfilling that currently. |
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Some unstructured musings on meaning in life:
Defining what meaningful means is subjective. Very very few people ever make much of an impact on the world, but we all have it within our gift to make an impact on the lives of others. Is it enough to simply offer a kind word when someone is having a bad day? Or devote your life as a parent to raising your children? Or being the best partner or friend you can be? Human beings require meaning, and this is why we tell stories and invent religions. Perhaps one of the reasons why so many people are lost and lonely and struggling with depression is because we’ve stripped away the deeper meanings of our lives in favour of short term and ultimately hollow forms of gratification - likes on social media, fabs on swinging sites, the purchasing of stuff - none of which really matter all. Define what is meaningful for you. Live according to that principle. Increase the chance of feeling contented. Become a little happier.
It’s a big question, with many answers Xx |
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My opinion is that my life has been meaningful if when I leave it, the world has been improved in some way by my presence in it. If there are people who can say that their lives were better because they encountered Polly.
I hope that my life has been meaningful in that way, but I guess it's others that might be able judge me properly. |
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Mine is meaningful to me, I think it's also meaningful to my siblings and much of my extended family. I tend to get on with most people so have positive relationships with most.
Even with women, no woman has ever chosen to leave me, it's usually me who has left for whatever reason. I think I am an affectionate loving type, aptly named McLovin. |
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I think my life has been generally meaningful although I am beginning to doubt that after the absolute waste of time meeting I have lost this morning to.
Meaningful for me means making a difference to people. I really dont care if they know it was me or not but _I_ know that stuff I have done has had a direct impact on many people’s quality of life. It is good to hear people making comments about these things when they are out with friends. I feel good about that. |
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"Born at A
Die at B
No need to be meaningful just enjoy the bit in the middle
Too many people searching for something they think will make them happy then they die dissapointed
X"
True. I’ve never really thought about this tbh. I just get on with it. I’ve got and give a lot of love in my life. I’ve brought up two amazing humans who also have the best dad in the world. I’m happy with my life. That’ll do for me |
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Perhaps the last lines of Middlemarch should bring us all some comfort:
"But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs. |
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By *aldy321Man
over a year ago
Huddersfield |
I thinking meaningful is very subjective. I've had a fullish life, worked all over the UK and Middle East. Used to breed llamas, have been a director of an English / Scottish football club and now play in a rock and indie band. Certainly had a varied life. Just need fab to hot up |
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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago
Dubai & Nottingham |
"Do you think you've led a meaningful life? Do you think a life needs to be meaningful? What does meaningful mean to you?"
I was actually just thinking about this earlier morning. I was thinking about when my life felt the most meaningful ever, and it was about 25 or so years ago, I was having kids, getting married, studying for a degree, very active in a church globally, starting my first consultancy.
I think I’ve had a very meaningful life & made a lot of impact, I’m not so sure right now! You can sleep with the hottest girls in the world, watch sunset and Sunrise rises from 100s of different countries but none of it is as satisfying as the stuff above |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Perhaps the last lines of Middlemarch should bring us all some comfort:
"But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs."
❤️ |
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"Do you think you've led a meaningful life? Do you think a life needs to be meaningful? What does meaningful mean to you?"
I used to think that I would never be missed.
Then one day chatting to a few guys from my cycling club a few years ago it turns out I'd inspired a few of them to compete in Ironman races after reading my race reports on our club forum,then they themselves had gone on to inspire others.
In my life I have been in two situations where I've managed to intervene and help people who would have died had I not helped.
I've been blessed with a beautiful family and subsequent grandchildren.
I have passed my knowledge onto apprentices.
As a carpenter I have built and made lasting things that will still be around long after I've gone.
I try to be honest and respectful to others.
Yeah I've done some bad shit and been a cxxt but overall I think my life has been meaningful and although I've had some terrible downs,with more to come I'm sure.
I am certain that my little insignificant existence has had a lasting effect in some small ways.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Perhaps the last lines of Middlemarch should bring us all some comfort:
"But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs."
Lovely. ❤️ |
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I've found joy to be something that occurs through the pursuit of something that feels meaningful.
Ultimately though I believe existence precedes essence, so there's no inherent meaning.
I will die and shortly after all those who've known me will die. Perhaps some oddball like me, who looks at his ancestry and thinks about his orphaned great-grandmother who grew up in a convent from (3) felt, what her life was like, how that influenced my grandmother - will come along and wonder something about me for a moment. And..?
Beyond connection, I see little to be considered meaningful especially when you step outside the temporal lens of human existence. The mass of every living thing that ever existed or will on this planet is little more than a drop in the universal ocean.
Consuming things seems to be where we are encouraged to find meaning culturally. Everything is a commodity to be bought, sold, traded. I assume that must hold some meaning for others, everyone seems highly devoted to it. |
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I've always made a difference in other people's lives from a very early age, even when I couldn't see it.
For those people I'm sure my life has been meaningful.
It's only in the last 10 years that I've tried focusing more on myself and I'd like to think that I still have meaning and purpose. |
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