I recently read Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, and the book made an impression on me. One of the key messages in the book that resonated for me has to do with our search for meaning in our lives.
People search for ways that their lives have meaning, either through what they do, through whom they love, or through how they respond to suffering. Some people may find meaning in their lives through more than one of the above, but Frankl stresses that at least one of them is necessary for a meaningful life.
I find meaning in my life through all three of the above. I am fortunate that I have devoted my professional life to music and music education. These are things that I love and feel very passionate about. Between teaching, advocating, researching, writing, planning programs, presenting, and gigging, I spend most of my time actively engaged in music in some way. My life has meaning through what I do.
I am a resilient person who has responded to my challenging family-of-origin circumstances by creating a very strong and rich family of choice – a wonderful husband, as well as a network of close friends who mean a great deal to me and who are like family members. My relationships with these people bring me great joy, support, comfort, love and companionship. My life has meaning through whom I love and through my response to suffering.
Where do you find meaning in your life? Do you buy Frankl’s list of the ways that our lives have meaning?
