Find Your Purpose In?Meaning

Simple Ways to See Yourself In a Different Light

Understanding the difference between your life purpose and the meaning of life is a journey that varies for each of us. It’s fair to say that most of us seem to be searching for purpose. What we really seek is meaning.

Phil Stutz, the so-called “psychiatrist to the stars” including Jonah Hill, writes, “The meaning of life, with all its pain, becomes comprehensible when you realize that you go out into the world to develop a relationship with yourself.”?

In other words, your life purposes is experiencing everything, being grateful for it all, and transforming yourself through your suffering.

The Purpose?Journey

Your purpose is your mission, a unique path that you carve out based on your passions, talents, and values. It’s what you feel compelled to do, your role in the world.?

Purpose is often action-oriented, driving you towards specific goals or accomplishments.

Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out?why.”

The “why” is finding meaning and feeling like you’re as alive as possible and grateful for the gift of life. Meaning is viewed as the universal quest. ‘

In contrast, the meaning of life is a more existential concept, pondering our place in the universe. It’s about understanding our existence and its significance in the larger scheme.?

The Search for?Meaning

The search for meaning can only happen within. The biggest mistake we make is seeking meaning, joy, and material wealth externally despite the fact we know that’s like chasing the wind. We have to go within, and most of don't like being alone with ourselves for long.

Meaning often encompasses broader themes like love, connection, and contribution to the world. Meaning gives us the warm and fuzzy feelings that spontaneous tears of joy, gratitude, and unconditional love can also experience. You have to give what you seek to receive it because the universe is all-loving, and works on your behalf when you find the flow within yourself.

Albert Camus, a philosopher, believed that life is inherently meaningless and it’s up to us to create meaning. While that may seem a dismal outlook, think about these words and how you can apply them to improving how you see yourself and the world around you. Wisdom is learning from your mistakes and changing from within.

Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, argued in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning” that finding meaning in life, often through love, work, and suffering, is essential for well-being. At the end of his brutal experience in captivity, he connected with an inner meaning to recreate his body of psychiatric work destroyed by the Nazis, and to honor the love for his wife.?

While others perished by giving up hope, Frankl became a legend and role model for eternity because he focused on finding meaning within. That’s why Frankle clearly stated, “Man is self determining.”?

The bottom line is we’re all in the quest together, given the desire to know more about ourselves and our relationship to the seemingly crazy world around us.

The Interplay of Purpose and?Meaning

While purpose is about your unique path and contributions, the meaning of life encompasses broader existential questions. Your purpose can contribute to your sense of life’s meaning, but the meaning of life is a giant umbrella under which purpose resides.

Aristotle suggested that eudaimonia, or ‘flourishing,’ is the purpose of life. This intertwines purpose (flourishing) with the meaning of life (achieving well-being and fulfillment).

Carl Jung, a psychiatrist, believed that realizing your potential contributes to the meaning of life. Abraham Maslow referred to our ultimate goal as Self-Actualization in the Hierarchy of Needs.

When we rise above our egoic mind and our selfish, pitiful way of trudging through life, we can aspire to make our purpose finding meaning in our journey.

In conclusion, your purpose and the meaning of life are distinct yet interconnected. Your purpose is your mission, shaped by your unique talents and desires, while the meaning of life is a broader existential quest.?

Together, they guide you toward fulfillment and understanding your place in the world. When you shift your self-view to align with a higher self, you discover more about who you are, what you want, and how to get it.?

By practicing daily, you will see yourself in a different light.

Thanks for reading my article originally published on Medium. I serve busy professionals and executives as a trusted freelance creative strategist, ghostwriter, sales copywriter, and communications coach. Transform creative process, messaging, pitches, conversions, and cash flow. Learn more at www.CliffordJones.com, or subscribe to The Clarity Letter on Substack.