Many of the comments that followed plus what the hospice nurse said at your mother’s bedside resonated with me and as the Beatles sang so well…..”All you need is Love” ❤️
Also, there is a gorgeous song that I loved growing up. “Nature Boy”
The author of Nature Boy was eden ahbez who lived quite a life by all accounts.
It was originally sung by my Dads favourite Nat King Cole and was in the film Moulin Rouge.
The beautiful lyrics of “ahbe”sang so incredibly soulfully by Nat had such an impact on me as a young girl: “the greatest gift you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return”
I want to add that I look out for a friend of mine who is 92 years of age and it is fair to say that we are both struggling in different ways.
People keep telling me to “step back”. I am doing my utmost to get her the right help as I want her to be comfortable and safe. But I cannot walk away from a friend in need, especially a friend who has shown me so much love.
Caring for someone is hard and can be lonely at times. But then you get that smile and a moment of joy is shared.
Life can be tough. So fill it with as much joy and as much love as you possibly can AND express your heartfelt and genuine appreciation to those around you every single day for the love and kindness that is provided to you.
Be love, share love and be grateful for the love 🥰
Hi Beth. Thanks for this. I have been on Substack for a while and still struggle with it a bit, but had another dive in today with my post 'Making Waves' which ended on this very thought. This was inspired by your email today which landed in my email box asking me to join your course on 'Write for Love, Write for Money' on Substack. I finished the first lesson this afternoon so hope to continue...
Love this essay and your beautiful contribution Beth.
For me the meaning of life is about showing up as yourself in the fullest of ways, to live being more ‘you!’ Living with confidence and joy comes from being the unapologetic person you were born to be and allows you to live the life you are here to live, without restriction or constraint. Fear be gone!
At the end of the day life is about LOVE, loving all that is on the planet, loving ourselves unconditionally - it’s the one legacy we’ll leave behind when we’ve gone. How we made others feel rather than a list of achievements. How generous we were, how giving, how loving. Everything comes back to love, loving the life you have, knowing how precious it is, how fleeting and being committed each day to squeezing every last drop out of it whilst we can. x
I had one of those coincidences that is likely not a coincidence at all!
I was listening to some of the old crooners songs inspired by a TV programe and the algorithm gods threw up "The Rhythm of Life from the musical Sweet Charity
When I started down the street last Sunday
feeling mighty low and kind of mean
Suddenly a voice said go forth neighbour
spread the picture on a wider screen
And the Go, go, go! Go, go go! Tell them every thing you know!
For the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet
rhythm on the inside rhythm on the street
and the rhythm of life is a powerful beat (repeat once)
for the Go, go, go! Go, go go! Tell them every thing you know!
Go and spread the gospel in Milwaukee ,
Take a walkie talkie to Rocky Ridge
All the way to Canton then to Scranton even tell it under the Manhattan bridge
You will make a new sensation, have a growing congregation
build a glowing operation here below
Like a pied piper blowing, lead and keep the music flowing
Keep the rhythm go go going, go go go! (Repeat twice)
Flip your wings and fly up high, Flip your wings and fly up high
Flip your wings and fly up high, Fly, fly, fly up high
You can do it if you try ,You can do it if you try
You can do it if you try ,Try, try, try to fly
To feel the rhythm of life, To feel the powerful beat,
To feel the tingle in your fingers, To feel the tingle in your feet
For the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet
rhythm on the inside rhythm on the street
and the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Go, go, go! Go, go go! Tell them every thing you know!
To feel the rhythm of life, To feel the powerful beat,
To feel the tingle in your fingers, To feel the tingle in your life!
Neighbour you’ve got the rhythm of life, of life, of life, of life
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Life!
Monty Python also had a view on The Meaning of Life!
While most individuals frame life about Love and that love somehow gives it meaning, I have a different Lenz I look through.
When we follow our passions and allow ourselves to be lured by the future we begin a journey to the self we never really knew. We find then that a fulfilling life that is plumb or true is lived in total contentment by the mere being and living of not life itself but OUR life, the one meant for us based on our own desires, without guilt, without regret, and without apology and without harm to anyone.
In my experiences.....Life is not life as though it is outside of ourselves. We are both life and the living of it simultaneously and whether it has meaning or not is determined not by our self, but rather by those we have touched without trying.
What a beautiful essay, Beth. 🙏 On Instagram I responded in twelve words or less—something like: being present, being good, and being connected. But after reading this, and really sitting with the difference between the meaning of life itself and finding meaning in your own life, I realise I much prefer the latter. To find meaning in your own life feels quieter, more personal—yet somehow infinitely more important.
When I was 16 I experienced an ego death from too much LSD. It was a terribly hard to recover from, but somehow I did. I'm 52 now. I remember the moment, after so much anguish, of looking into my hands and repeating, "It's so simple. It's so simple." And feeling overcome by this astonishment of the simple beauty. We complicate so many things. We humans are so simple, but seemingly complex in our actions. I struggle with titles. Writer, philosopher, poet, etc. I have a hard time with the boxes that feel like arrested development. I think the astonishment that night was over the paradox. We 'are' and yet we cannot be. Life is the impossible equation - and yet - here we are loving and being and doing and making. The anquish was over the loss of meaning. Being reduced to "I" and feeling like everything I had believed was a lie. As one comment above said, meaning is a construct of the ego. One function of consciousness is to array patterns and archetypes and we will always find meaning in the designs spread out before us. We delight in patterns and design; the hidden geometry in a sunflower, a supernova, the vanishing point in a path. As conscious beings we are meaning makers. We make letters and songs and art from what we perceive. So, make something, tell a story, find your gifts and give them away. There is no actual meaning. We are here to love, to be kind, to 'make' meaning, to be constantly astonished by the paradox of existence. There are birds singing outside my window and that is simply amazing.
I love this so much! The project behind it! The letters at the heart of it! The different responses that stretch what our lives could be. I’m not sure how I’d answer this question on a Monday morning but it’s probably something about connection, that it’s the people we get to share out lives with and the quality of our relationships that give it meaning. And I say this as a happy introvert whose books are often my favourite company.
I like your answer - it seems to cover it - and I like the statement made by the nurse caring for your mother. That, too, is true. So many people want to make a mark and be remembered, forgetting that being remembered is not enough. Being loved is the thing.
I love the last sentence of your piece Beth! What an honour to be recognised as a thinker and philosopher 😀
I think of the meaning of life as being to learn, grow, and offer our unique gifts to the world. I believe we came here to face important challenges and lessons and alchemise them into wisdom which we can contribute to the collective.
As I gardened today for the first time in weeks; I came back to this deep question as I sat still between weeding, with my eyes closed, listening to the glory of birds calling across the valley and mountains, with the warm sun on my face. The meaning of life for me is to just be in the everyness, of everywhere all at once. To surrender and be in my sovereignty. A unique kernel of self yet to accept and allow that I will always change and elevate my consciousness to have an effect on the greater consciousness.
Poignant words: life is for living, and we create its meaning.
Dear Beth,
Well Done You 🥰
Many of the comments that followed plus what the hospice nurse said at your mother’s bedside resonated with me and as the Beatles sang so well…..”All you need is Love” ❤️
Also, there is a gorgeous song that I loved growing up. “Nature Boy”
The author of Nature Boy was eden ahbez who lived quite a life by all accounts.
It was originally sung by my Dads favourite Nat King Cole and was in the film Moulin Rouge.
The beautiful lyrics of “ahbe”sang so incredibly soulfully by Nat had such an impact on me as a young girl: “the greatest gift you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return”
To me that is what life is all about.
Love.
I want to add that I look out for a friend of mine who is 92 years of age and it is fair to say that we are both struggling in different ways.
People keep telling me to “step back”. I am doing my utmost to get her the right help as I want her to be comfortable and safe. But I cannot walk away from a friend in need, especially a friend who has shown me so much love.
Caring for someone is hard and can be lonely at times. But then you get that smile and a moment of joy is shared.
Life can be tough. So fill it with as much joy and as much love as you possibly can AND express your heartfelt and genuine appreciation to those around you every single day for the love and kindness that is provided to you.
Be love, share love and be grateful for the love 🥰
Hi Beth. Thanks for this. I have been on Substack for a while and still struggle with it a bit, but had another dive in today with my post 'Making Waves' which ended on this very thought. This was inspired by your email today which landed in my email box asking me to join your course on 'Write for Love, Write for Money' on Substack. I finished the first lesson this afternoon so hope to continue...
What a brilliant idea!
Love this essay and your beautiful contribution Beth.
For me the meaning of life is about showing up as yourself in the fullest of ways, to live being more ‘you!’ Living with confidence and joy comes from being the unapologetic person you were born to be and allows you to live the life you are here to live, without restriction or constraint. Fear be gone!
At the end of the day life is about LOVE, loving all that is on the planet, loving ourselves unconditionally - it’s the one legacy we’ll leave behind when we’ve gone. How we made others feel rather than a list of achievements. How generous we were, how giving, how loving. Everything comes back to love, loving the life you have, knowing how precious it is, how fleeting and being committed each day to squeezing every last drop out of it whilst we can. x
Such a great article. And it makes me reflect... Isn't it such a privilege to be able to sit and ponder the meaning of life?
So many are trying to just survive life without looking for the meaning.
I had one of those coincidences that is likely not a coincidence at all!
I was listening to some of the old crooners songs inspired by a TV programe and the algorithm gods threw up "The Rhythm of Life from the musical Sweet Charity
When I started down the street last Sunday
feeling mighty low and kind of mean
Suddenly a voice said go forth neighbour
spread the picture on a wider screen
And the Go, go, go! Go, go go! Tell them every thing you know!
For the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet
rhythm on the inside rhythm on the street
and the rhythm of life is a powerful beat (repeat once)
for the Go, go, go! Go, go go! Tell them every thing you know!
Go and spread the gospel in Milwaukee ,
Take a walkie talkie to Rocky Ridge
All the way to Canton then to Scranton even tell it under the Manhattan bridge
You will make a new sensation, have a growing congregation
build a glowing operation here below
Like a pied piper blowing, lead and keep the music flowing
Keep the rhythm go go going, go go go! (Repeat twice)
Flip your wings and fly up high, Flip your wings and fly up high
Flip your wings and fly up high, Fly, fly, fly up high
You can do it if you try ,You can do it if you try
You can do it if you try ,Try, try, try to fly
To feel the rhythm of life, To feel the powerful beat,
To feel the tingle in your fingers, To feel the tingle in your feet
For the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet
rhythm on the inside rhythm on the street
and the rhythm of life is a powerful beat
Go, go, go! Go, go go! Tell them every thing you know!
To feel the rhythm of life, To feel the powerful beat,
To feel the tingle in your fingers, To feel the tingle in your life!
Neighbour you’ve got the rhythm of life, of life, of life, of life
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Life!
Monty Python also had a view on The Meaning of Life!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buqtdpuZxvk
Beautiful sentiment and story.
While most individuals frame life about Love and that love somehow gives it meaning, I have a different Lenz I look through.
When we follow our passions and allow ourselves to be lured by the future we begin a journey to the self we never really knew. We find then that a fulfilling life that is plumb or true is lived in total contentment by the mere being and living of not life itself but OUR life, the one meant for us based on our own desires, without guilt, without regret, and without apology and without harm to anyone.
In my experiences.....Life is not life as though it is outside of ourselves. We are both life and the living of it simultaneously and whether it has meaning or not is determined not by our self, but rather by those we have touched without trying.
I think our passions give us meaning and purpose and for many “being loving” is a passion.
Or is it that we feel the need to share so that we are not alone as our own self is simply not enough?
Important to have sufficient confidence in our own self
But keep the ego in check 🥰
What a beautiful essay, Beth. 🙏 On Instagram I responded in twelve words or less—something like: being present, being good, and being connected. But after reading this, and really sitting with the difference between the meaning of life itself and finding meaning in your own life, I realise I much prefer the latter. To find meaning in your own life feels quieter, more personal—yet somehow infinitely more important.
To experience the sensations of a physical life.
When I was 16 I experienced an ego death from too much LSD. It was a terribly hard to recover from, but somehow I did. I'm 52 now. I remember the moment, after so much anguish, of looking into my hands and repeating, "It's so simple. It's so simple." And feeling overcome by this astonishment of the simple beauty. We complicate so many things. We humans are so simple, but seemingly complex in our actions. I struggle with titles. Writer, philosopher, poet, etc. I have a hard time with the boxes that feel like arrested development. I think the astonishment that night was over the paradox. We 'are' and yet we cannot be. Life is the impossible equation - and yet - here we are loving and being and doing and making. The anquish was over the loss of meaning. Being reduced to "I" and feeling like everything I had believed was a lie. As one comment above said, meaning is a construct of the ego. One function of consciousness is to array patterns and archetypes and we will always find meaning in the designs spread out before us. We delight in patterns and design; the hidden geometry in a sunflower, a supernova, the vanishing point in a path. As conscious beings we are meaning makers. We make letters and songs and art from what we perceive. So, make something, tell a story, find your gifts and give them away. There is no actual meaning. We are here to love, to be kind, to 'make' meaning, to be constantly astonished by the paradox of existence. There are birds singing outside my window and that is simply amazing.
Fascinating read. I hope my existence will be remembered by those I care about and I leave something meaningful in my wake for them to recall.
https://valerienettles.substack.com/p/life
I love this so much! The project behind it! The letters at the heart of it! The different responses that stretch what our lives could be. I’m not sure how I’d answer this question on a Monday morning but it’s probably something about connection, that it’s the people we get to share out lives with and the quality of our relationships that give it meaning. And I say this as a happy introvert whose books are often my favourite company.
I like your answer - it seems to cover it - and I like the statement made by the nurse caring for your mother. That, too, is true. So many people want to make a mark and be remembered, forgetting that being remembered is not enough. Being loved is the thing.
I love the last sentence of your piece Beth! What an honour to be recognised as a thinker and philosopher 😀
I think of the meaning of life as being to learn, grow, and offer our unique gifts to the world. I believe we came here to face important challenges and lessons and alchemise them into wisdom which we can contribute to the collective.
As I gardened today for the first time in weeks; I came back to this deep question as I sat still between weeding, with my eyes closed, listening to the glory of birds calling across the valley and mountains, with the warm sun on my face. The meaning of life for me is to just be in the everyness, of everywhere all at once. To surrender and be in my sovereignty. A unique kernel of self yet to accept and allow that I will always change and elevate my consciousness to have an effect on the greater consciousness.