The Secret to Finding Meaning in Life

The Secret to Finding Meaning in Life
Treadmill + Shower + Coffee + Newspaper = Happiness?
Who doesn’t love their morning routine? We all love habits, as they make life comfortable and cozy. Instead of having to confront the dreadful anxiety induced by facing the unknown, we can simply find a soothing rhythm and live within the confines of that comfort zone.
Yet, there is a downside to living a robotic existence. When we settle into a life of complacency, it can quickly become stale, and at best, we will strive for mediocrity. How do we overcome that inclination and utilize our time on earth to truly live an awesome life?
The answer is to remember the power of 1.
Many people assume that the power of 1 refers to what the individual, or perhaps God, can accomplish. However, for me, the 1 represents journeying from zero to something which has a value.
If you had string of 6 consecutive zeros, the number would still be worthless. However, if you simply added a 1 before them, you would suddenly have a million! If we could add a 1 before every action in life, it would be tantamount to infusing purpose and meaning into everything we do.
Suppose your existence were reduced to spending each day turning a wheel. You would probably find it to be a painfully torturous chore. However, what if you knew that the wheel was powering a generator that sustained a person on life support? Sure, the task would still be painful and boring, but having that knowledge ignites a new perspective which adds purpose and transforms empty zeros into millions.
It is specifically through a purpose-filled perspective that we unlock strength, joy and untapped potential that lies within each of us.
When we know what we are living for, it motivates us to do more with our time and to live a greater and more meaningful life. The greatest way to fuel our daily existence is to think about others. By looking for ways to uplift our spouse, children, neighbors, friends and coworkers, we are placing 1’s everywhere we go.
When we can find opportunities to uplift the lives of others, it shifts the focus from our many zeros and adds value to everything we do. Even when we do something as mundane as going to work, the gym or watching TV, having a reason and a purpose (such as for family, or to be more productive) makes those tasks purposeful.
Life has many forms of currency that people value, such as money, clothing, cars, food, movies, trinkets or video games. All of these “things” are placeholders. They are mere zeroes that occupy time and space and will ultimately craft the epitaph that is our legacy.
Thus, even if we were to amass an abundance of all these “things”, at the end of life, of what value are they really?
Therefore, instead of only amassing zeros, and filling our lives with routines that are cozy, let’s think bigger. Imagine what life could be like if we were to pause each day to think about the needs of others and work to break free from our own little comfort zones and routines. By searching for the 1’s, we can learn to put the needs of the world ahead of ours, and add purpose, meaning, joy and goals to everything we do.
So, what’s your “1”? Please inspire others below by sharing yours in the comment section.
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I love the concept of the power of 1. Although, instead of adding it to zeros I like to focus on the idea of impacting one person’s life for good. Sometimes we try to go after impacting millions and never do anything. However, if we focus on helping 1 person we can do amazing good for the 1 and bring tremendous joy to ourselves.
The joy we get when helping someone else with something they are struggling with is so good that we’d pay to have the feeling if we could. Unfortunately, it can’t be bought or sold. The only way to have the feeling is to do something for someone else.
I have battled being overwhelmed for years and breaking it down to the power of one is some I wish I’d embraced long ago.
Great article! I enjoyed it & am sharing it with my girlfriend. I try to add “1’s” to each song I write & record. I try to add “1’s” to each teip to the gym, when working out myself or training others. I also try to add “1’s” in my work place & to every person I connect or come on contact with eaxh day. For the sake of space, I will stop here & say thank you for writing & sharing such a positive article. Besr regards,
Kwatrain
Reverbnation.com/Kwatrain
Fantastic article. Thank you for your insights. http://www.michaelrodd.com
Thank you for this article. I am reminded that we all contribute to the existence of our friends and families. I am retired and live alone, but I give lessons to children part time. And when one of my kids come to me and ask. “Miss can you help me…..?” I feel so thankful that I have them in my life. Each one of them adds meaning.