A friend of mine once told me that fun is the meaning of life. He's the closest to a real-life Forrest Gump I've ever met. Because he loves music, he devoted himself to his radio job and eventually worked his way up to station manager. He spends most weekends surfing, going to concerts, trying different adventures, and roaming through his childlike existence with a sense of delight and wonder. Because he believes that fun is the ultimate point of it all, he measures everything against that barometer. If it isn't fun for him, he doesn't do it; if it is fun, he does it often. This declaration seemed far too simple from my vantage point, and certainly not an effective way to be sure it all leads somewhere good.
I've spent a lot of time through the years watching this friend, like he's a theory I want to poke holes in. I could not fathom that enjoyment could be a fulfilling purpose in and of itself. There's abundant research showing that people with a sense of individual meaning feel happier than do people who see actions as random and inconsequential. If we don't believe we have a strong driving motivation, what will push us through the moments that aren't fun?
Then I noticed something about my friend: he has difficult times like the rest of us, but when they hit, instead of sitting around dwelling on what it all means, he goes out and does the things that make him feel meaningful. He doesn't enjoy everything in life, but he chooses more often than not to do the things he enjoys, and in doing so feels fulfilled.
Perhaps enjoyment is a meaning of life, but only as a consequence of our doing what feels meaningful to us. By choosing to do the things we love, we shift the balance of empty moments to complete ones. When we're focused on creating and enjoying fun—immersing ourselves in the various "whats" that get us excited—suddenly it seems less important to understand the one ultimate "why."
Create meaning through joy.
If you've gotten a little too serious in your pursuit of purpose:
Make a list of three to seven things that you enjoy most in life. These don't have to be huge things. They might be simple things,like walking on the beach, riding your motorcycle, or listening to thesound of your baby laughing. Think about the activities that often leaveyou thinking, This is what it means to really be alive.
Take a look at your current schedule. Do you regularly do those things? Are you making excuses about why you can't? Maybe it's your busy schedule, or your limited finances, or some other external restriction.
Find tiny holes in your upcoming week. Even if you're busy, odds are you have an hour here, twenty minutes there, and maybe even a complete day or two sometimes. Identify potential gaps right now, acknowledging that they're available to be filled.
Plan to do something that makes you feel exhilarated for at least a small chunk of time every day. If you love animals but don't everspend time with them, go to a local dog park during your lunch break.If you're passionate about yoga but can't afford a class, find a free one onYouTube. Plan for a little activity every day that makes you feel alive andconnected to something larger than yourself—even if it's for just fifteenminutes. Then do only those things, without carrying your worries or fearsinto the moment. When you make time to experience pure, engaged joy,you both create meaning and open to new possibilities that may create more.
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