Do our lives have inherent meaning? Honestly, no one knows, but personally, I doubt it.
We go through our days thinking we are doing important things, worrying about all our problems, as well as the problems of the rest of the world. We think we know what’s going on, focused on our little worlds, rarely pausing to consider the futility of it all. Throughout our lives, we attend business meetings, study for hours, work hard for a paycheck, perhaps try to change the world a little.
However, the reality is that we are just piles of flesh and bones, hurtling through the universe on a small rock, stressing over our insignificant problems. I ask everyone who reads this to pause for a moment and consider: what gives your life meaning? Are you truly living with purpose, and if so, is that purpose yours, or has it been imposed on you by someone else? As human beings, we crave meaning in our lives. We search for meaning in various places—some choose religion, others turn to politics, or seek meaning by trying to change the lives of others. We must acknowledge, however, that all these ideas are merely ways humanity has developed to cope with the fundamental lack of meaning in life.
Perhaps we should embrace that void and recognize that true freedom comes from creating our own meaning, rather than seeking pre-defined answers. Maybe the beauty of life lies precisely in its unpredictability and the ability to shape our own destinies. Once we accept this uncertainty, we can begin to live authentically, with a purpose we have chosen ourselves.
Life doesn’t need to have predetermined meaning to be valuable. It’s up to us to find or create that value in everyday moments, in the love we give and receive, in the passions we pursue, in the small acts of kindness that make the world a better place. Therefore, instead of seeking meaning outside ourselves, maybe we should look within and recognize that we are the ones who give meaning to the world around us.
Embracing the void doesn’t mean resignation or apathy but an opportunity to create something authentic. It means we have the chance to shape our lives according to our own values and desires. When we stop seeking external justifications for our existence, we can find strength and inspiration in internal sources. Every moment can become significant when we fill it with love, passion, and kindness. In this way, we become the creators of our meaning, filling the void with our own choices and actions.
Maybe the ultimate meaning of life lies in this continual quest, in the daily effort to find and create meaning, in sharing our experiences with others, and in striving to leave a positive mark on the world. Through this process, life gains depth and value that transcends any pre-defined concepts or expectations.
Prepared by: J.K.
Based on: "Why Existentialism is the Only Philosophy That Makes Any Sense" by Owen Lloyd
