Amid this lock down I am struggling to find my meaning for life. Isn’t the ultimate goal of man to pursue for your happiness? But in this pursuit, one often fails to realize the real meaning of happiness. As for me more than often whenever I used to feel sad, I like to buy something nice for me, or do invest somewhere on myself. And I won’t deny that indulging in those luxuries, I don’t get temporary sense of happiness, an escape from things. But since I can’t buy things now how do I find happiness, where do I find my distraction.
As said truly by Viktor E. Frankl
“Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.”
I tried to find my muse in my writing, in building my blog, in building good habits. And it seemed to be a nice escape. A way to work on something you love, to build on your skills. But soon I wasn’t as excited about it as I was in the beginning. And it is not because I am lazy or I am procrastinating. It is because I am running from things from one project to other. Earlier it was possession of material things, later turned to finding some project which can take away my mind from things. An another form of escape.
“When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task; his single and unique task. He will have to acknowledge the fact that even in suffering he is unique and alone in the universe. No one can relieve him of his suffering or suffer in his place. His unique opportunity lies in the way in which he bears his burden.”
Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
But for how long can one run away from unresolved feelings. People say one should be stronger than their emotion, and shouldn’t let it run the show of your life. But in reality is it possible? We might try to subdue our feelings deep inside and try to find projects that give meaning to life. For a moment or two, we might feel that we have got life under control. But undealt emotions always find a way to creep back into your life in some form or the other, and sometimes it can turn ugly. As explained in one of the basic principles in the famous Morita therapy by Shoma Morita
Accept your feelings As feelings come to us, we have to accept them, meaning we allow ourselves to feel every feeling, including those we don’t want to feel. Morita likens emotions to the weather. We can’t predict or control them. We can only observe them.
Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life
I am trying to find meaning or answers in books and in talks of inspirational people. One of the interesting book that I have found is Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. It’s a book about his experience of surviving the Nazi’s concentration life and finding hope & meaning in grimmest of life’s situation.
I will followup on my thoughts on my next weekly blog-post. By the meantime, share with me in comments how do you guys deal with your struggles in life, how to you find meaning in life hopelessness and pain. I would love to hear you all.
“I don’t pretend that we have all the answers. But the questions are worth thinking about”
Arthur C. Clarke
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