HOW TO FIND MEANING IN LIFE

1. HOW TO FIND MEANING IN LIFE

2. Why Do We Need Meaning? • Economic downturn /Uncertainty • Dwindling natural resources / Can innovation save us • Global unrest /Can we use it to create positive change • Fear - Greed based society • Too much stress, bad news, pressure • Critical moment in time

3. Some Change is Happening! • Racial barriers falling • Global awareness is rising • World is flat (Friedman) • World wide web • Environmental consciousness • How can you participate in meaningful change?

4. What does it take? • Understand the greater context • Get religion • Understand your potential • Love in every situation • Become mature human beings

5. Know the Greater Context • Universe story • Galaxies, stars, planets, giraffes and you • We are one with that story • Know your place – part of the whole • Not the center • Think at the Species level • We are not better • But we are responsible

6. Care for our planet • This is the only home we have • We live in one interrelated, interdependent living system • What happens on one part of the planet has impact all over – Iceland Volcano • Be a steward; care for the planet • Acting on this know ledge will provide meaning

7. Get Religion • Everyone has a religion • Your particular outlook on life, all that is • Core values which drive your decisions in life • Even scientists seek to define the underlying order of the universe – “The Grand Design” • The top of the mountain

8. What is the true nature of mankind • What are we • Who are we • Where are we • Where are we going

9. Mankind’s Potential • “The true nature of anything is the highest it can become”, Aristotle • What is the highest mankind can become? • History/Anthropology say evolution to maturity as human beings • Psychology says integration – of self and others • Religious genius’ say love is the prevailing attitude • I propose that they are all saying the same thing

10. History and Anthropology • Life has continuously increased in complexity over time (4 billion years!) • Life has differentiated and specialized • We have increased our ability to perceive the nature of reality – scientific discovery • Mature humans have made peace with reality – acceptance • (while maintaining their creative imagination)

11. So where is evolution leading us? • Increased consciousness • A wider and deeper perception of reality • More profound wisdom about how to survive and find meaning in life • Acceptance of reality and learning to live in right relationship with that reality

12. Psychology • Goal is integration • Acceptance of self – it is what it is • Understanding that there is real value in the self • That self is worthy of loving itself • Mankind’s potential in this area is limitless • It is also the most miss-understood

13. Love Four aspects: • The object of love is seen as valuable • Acceptance of the beloved - of the way it is – reality • Profound, deep interest in the well being of the beloved • Understanding – highest level of love; knowing the needs of the beloved and responding, creatively, intelligently, caringly • To love means to act in right relationship with the beloved

14. The Great Commandment • The lord our God, the Lord is one; thou shall love the lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength • We are one with all creation, all that is • God? For people of faith, this is easy • For people of science, it can be seen as love of truth, law, order in the universe, reality • “Each in His Own Tongue”, W. H. Carruth • “I suggest that it doesn’t really make any difference what we call it, if we but search for it”, Harry Rathbun • It’s the search that provides meaning

15. The Second Commandment • Love your neighbor as yourself • Love of self must come before love of neighbor • Love of self requires acceptance of self as is • Psychology attempts to demonstrate that there is real value in the self, that it is worthy of love • If we can see that we are all the same, one world, one humanity, one spirit, then love of neighbor is attainable

16. Some helpful ground rules • Understanding the greater context within which we live will lessen the problems and pressures that we face every day. • Accepting reality, accepting ourselves, opens up the pathway to love • Understanding what it means to love gives us a guideline to living a meaningful life • “If we but search for it” • The following are some additional ground rules

17. 1. Be present • The past is history, you can’t change it • The future is yet to come, an outcome of your collective actions • The present is the only time that is real • The present is the only time you can effect change and take action • “It doesn't matter where you are headed, or whether you ever get there; life is all about the journey” (W. DeVincenzi)

18. 2. Be proactive • Don’t just let life happen to you • Lack of action is a choice, & not a good one • Be part of the solution, not part of the problem • Never give up when you believe you are right • “If not me, then who” • Someone needs to step up to the plate; why not you

19. 3. Pose no enemies • Treat everyone with compassion and respect • “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – in all major Religions • Focus on similarities, not differences • Help others to fulfill their highest potential as a human being, even your enemy • War is now obsolete – No longer an option • Become “global” citizens

20. 4. Honor Your Commitments • Your word is your bond • True relationships are not 50%/50%, but 100%/100% • Be responsible and proactive • Why do most marriages fail? Because people are unwilling to work out their differences • The relationship comes first, you come second

21. 5. Love Yourself • Take care of your body – it’s the only one you have • Accept yourself, as you are (read your own resume sometime) • Forgive yourself - we are all human and make mistakes • Find a mentor, and use them • You are uniquely important to the Universe

22. 6. Give Back • Remember how we have been given to • From parents, family and friends • From the planet • Give when you see a need • Give without strings (25th Anniv.) • It is in giving that we truly receive

23. 7. Strive for Excellence • Be the best that you can be • Excel in everything you do • Aim high; if you aim low, you might get there • Never settle for mediocrity • Follow your passion, money will come

24. 8. Be optimistic • Choose the nobler hypothesis (H. Rathbun) • See the glass half full, not half empty • “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” (W. Churchill) • Be an optimist! • Life is too short to be anything else (and a lot less fun!)

25. I wish you all a meaningful life!“If we but search for it”