Last night I had the fortunate pleasure of randomly encountering a friend of mine, one in which I had thought of throughout the day, fittingly so. When the encounter first occurred I couldn't help but think "this will make an interesting blogpost" which may still be true. Little did I know the encounter would spawn another topic of reflection. As we discussed the occurrences of our lives which had transpired since our last visit we returned to the well worn discussion revolving our futures, and more specifically, what we wished to do and/or accomplish after we have finished Our undergrads. Her answer was deeply philosophical but availed itself as something rather mundane, she simply told me she wished to do something "meaningful." She dropped the term and moments passed without much thought on my part. Yet when she left after our engaging and fruitful visit I mulled the term over, thinking more deeply on the word she used. She didn't use "happy" nor did she diminish the power of "meaning" by using assuredly concrete examples of what fulfilling actions would give her "meaning," she simply left it open to interpretation.
My lack of reaction in which she of spoke of doing "meaningful" *things* (I use the term things out of the need for conceptual generalization) has much to do with our understanding, or lack thereof, of meaning. On some level I denoted meaningfulness with happiness, fulfilment and/or comfort, all terms that can often be used interchangeably. Yet all those terms do not exist as synonyms of meaningfulness. One could argue that they can be a by product of meaningfulness but even that can be an argumentative claim.
Happiness is a term that can be used in two forms of time, within the moment as in "I am currently happy", and in terms of a span of time as in "I have been happy for the past ten years" or in both contexts as in "I have a happy life." Fulfillment through is something which I consider to be a goal which one strives to attain, and once attained, is easily if not inevitably maintained. to gain fulfillment is also something which takes time and effort, very different from happiness which can occur very easily to some and can exist as a by product of luck and/or circumstance.
Yet meaningfulness doesn't truly fit within the above definitions. When I consider meaningfulness I consider something which is in the moment, such as happiness, but cannot be experienced through chance nor circumstance. As with happiness, meaningfulness can last beyond moments and can span over time, one can live a meaningful life, but unlike happiness meaningfulness is ever dependent on what we DO, not what we necessarily FEEL. We can live "meaningful" lives and not be conscious of them while happiness, fulfilment and comfort all are contingent on our consciousness. I am not arguing the objectivity of meaningfulness, on the contrary it is inevitably subjective, but I do believe that there are those who do live their subjectively meaningful lives without ever considering that they are doing so, doing *things* which they choose unconsciously in order to gain meaningfulness.
I shall end my machinations on meaningfulness upon that abrupt end for I do not wish to express all of my thoughts on this subject matter, I wish only for those who read this post to perhaps consider the words they uses and the words they hear more carefully. As importantly I want those to read to consider what they wish to possess and experience thoughtfully. We are often programmed to live certain lives, a well packaged product which society sells us. The product is fine and it is neither nefarious nor otherwise, it is simply what it is and many who buy into the product gain happiness, sometimes fulfilment and once in a while meaningfulness. Yet I ask you to consider if that product IS for you or if another option, one less shown, might suit you better. Lastly do not be afraid of not knowing what you wish to know and have. That you ask the question is in itself a sign that you will reach that point. So push for a happy life, a fulfilled life, a meaningful life, a comfortable life, but make a preference list, and consider, what do I consciously want?
