Life is not set up to meet our meaning needs.
It’s not the universe’s obligation to endow each of our endeavors with a sense of significance and value.
Meaning is an inside job. Only we can form our experiences into communicable meaning for ourselves.
This process can be an uphill battle. Especially during seasons of inactivity and transition. Because we want to be proactive, but we also don’t want to burden our efforts with the demand that they feel spiritually fulfilling. Otherwise we start feeling like a drowning man grasping at straws, making futile and desperate attempts to spin some shred of satisfaction right out of thin air.
In my own low moments, I often find myself assigning additional meaning to activities that I once did as a matter of course, such as cleaning the house or running to the post office or paying bills on time.
Which isn’t to say those tasks are unimportant. When you’re battling a bout of sadness and not feeling burdened by glorious purpose, you take your confidence and momentum where you can get them. You strike the match of meaning any place you can.
But when doing the dishes becomes the biggest victory of the day, I can’t help but feel a little sad and pathetic.
What I remind myself is, periods of minimal meaning making are necessary. They remind us who we are and what we value. They show us that a new phase of the spirit is preparing itself.
We all have a responsibility to accept periods of inactivity as necessary preparation for something new and important.
Because we shall soon be burdened by glorious purpose again.
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
What is the energy that carries your life towards its meaningful unfolding?
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author. Speaker. Strategist. Inventor. Filmmaker. Publisher. Songwriter.
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A Year in Hot Yoga: 365 Daily Meditations for On and Off the Mat.
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Namaste.
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