…MEANING OF LIFE?

Throughout history and across time, there have existed many great men and women: kings and queens; scholars; philosophers, poets, wise men, and none wiser than the great king Solomon. Solomon is regarded as the wisest King to have lived since time immemorial. He had vast wealth, a great kingdom, and many wives and concubines as well as his wisdom. Ironically this great man wrote the book of Ecclesiastes which details and emphasizes the VANITY OF LIFE. This brings us to the question of what the MEANING OF LIFE is.

Depending on what perspective you look at it, life can (from one point of view) seem to be quite monotonous. The life of an “Average” individual seems to be a repetitive and mundane cycle that repeats itself across generations and millennia to come. Essentially life begins at conception and thereafter birth. From this moment on, the never-ending pursuit that is called life begins.

At a tender age (say perhaps 3 or 4) begins the pursuit of knowledge. After completion of studies (which could be any time between 15 years to any unspecified amount of time), begins the pursuit of financial stability. This primarily involves finding some income-generating venture: be it a job or a business. At a certain age, another pursuit follows closely which is that family or love (depends on how you choose to look at it) so an individual marries or gets married; has a bunch of children (who relieve the same cycle) and if they are fortunate enough, they get to be old and grey and see the next generation.

Of course, this does not apply to everyone because at the core of it all, we are all unique in our own ways and may choose to chart a path that is different from the perceived and accepted norm but essentially, that is what would be an “Ideal Blueprint” of the human life.

Pertaining to the meaning of life: I would say that perhaps it is found in the pursuit of various things. Of course, this is relative to an individual. A common pursuit for all of mankind would be the pursuit of happiness and this definitely gives meaning to life. Happiness could be found in doing a job you love; having a family; having an incredible circle of friends; coming up with some great innovation or invention- I could go on but really the list is infinite.  

Then there are those whose sole purpose is the pursuit and acquisition of power. Power could be different things to different people be it: having political seats of power; being filthy rich and wealthy; or power gained from knowledge and intellect (as they say, knowledge is power) among many others. These of course are just but to mention a few.

In all business classes or units I’ve attended, the one common thing you are taught is that human needs and wants can never be fully satisfied therein I believe it is safe to assume that perhaps this pursuit that gives meaning to life is perhaps infinite and ultimately ends when we draw our last breath: I may be right or wrong (you be the judge of that). As I said, this is quite relative.

Going back to the words of the great King, I would like to quote some of his sayings on the futility and uselessness of life.

Ecclesiastes 1:8:  Everything leads to weariness- a weariness too great for word. Our eyes can never see enough to be satisfied; our ears can never hear enough. 

Chapter 2:17-18- I was determined to learn the difference between knowledge and foolishness, wisdom and madness. But I found out that I might as well be chasing the wind. The wiser you are, the more worries you have; the more you know the more it hurts.

Those were some of his thoughts and words and at times, I personally cannot help but wonder and think, “is all this that we do in life in vain?” “Is there really meaning to life or it is just an endless and infinite pursuit?”

Towards the end of the book, however, the Philosopher summarizes and writes, “after all this, there is one thing to say: have reverence for God, and obey his commands because this is all that human beings were created for.” From his conclusion, it seems that whatever we do, pursue, learn or acquire, it all eventually comes down to God to find the meaning of life.

Just as sure as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, the fact of the matter is life, in all its complexity, vanity, wholesomeness, and totality, has a meaning and this is the driving factor otherwise what other reason would be there to wake up every day? It could come down to a lot of things but ultimately I believe the meaning of life is found (over and above everything else) in the fulfillment we get from realizing and achieving our God-given predetermined purpose coming to the logical conclusion that the meaning of life is found in the execution of our purpose.