How to find meaning in life

Viktor Frankl, a famous Austrian Holocaust Survivor, and psychiatrist notes in his wildly acclaimed book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, ‘He who has a why to live for, can endure almost any how’. Frankl himself became the proof of this statement for the hope to be reunited with his family and the imperative task of completing the aforementioned manuscript and sharing it with the world (which contained information pertaining to Logotherapy) is what kept him alive in the darkest hours of his life in Auschwitz – not physical strength or any material possessions.

Since the beginning of time, a question that man has repeatedly asked himself is what his purpose is, and what is the meaning of his life? The answer to this question is crucial for since the advent of humankind, it motivates man to do what he does and what he refuses to do. The answer provides dignity to the life of a man or renders him useless. In the words of Harold. S Kushner: “We have come to know man as he really is. After all, man is the being who invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord’s Prayer or the Shema Yisrael on his lips”. As a whole and as individuals, we all go through life looking for that meaning that can put our suffering into perspective and on a lighter note, be the reason we can get out of bed on a bad day.

Since we are too idiosyncratic and share unique perspectives and experiences, it is hard to label one life meaning for every human being. We each have to carve out our own meaning and path in life and none can be seen as better or worse. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, “Not everyone can be famous, but everyone can be great because greatness is determined by service.” Aligning our life with our values such as service to others – whatever form that takes, spending time with our family, and living life with dignity and truth, are all things that can grant meaning to our everyday lives. Meaning is not an oasis in a desert we spend our entire lives looking for. Instead, it is unique to each of us and we live by it every hour, every minute of our days. It may be found in a child’s embrace after a long day of work or in a sip of cool water on a particularly hot day that fills our hearts with gratitude.

Conclusively, much like an existentialist would say, our life meaning is completely up to us to decide and decipher. Asking ourselves what we hope from finding it (peace/happiness/ fulfillment) and what we deem important in this short span of life is also helpful when uncovering our life’s meaning. The Latin phrase ‘Memento Mori’ i.e ‘remember you must die’ is also a plausible one when answering this question for it compels us to come to terms with the

urgency of life and living our purpose, stripping us off of any falsities and pressures that keep us away from living our internal truth.

Written by: Khadija Hassan (Content Developer)

References: – Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl (book)