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Can you have a meaningful life without being happy? Or happy without having a meaningful life? Two different concepts that are closely related. We also should ask whether we're talking about meaning-in-our-own-eyes or in the eyes of others, our community. I think we can say that it is possible to have a meaningful life in the sense of having done a lot of good things, not just earned a lot of money, but did things to better the lot of others and still be unhappy.

The other question is whether the meaning of life must be connected to some transcendental purpose. Those who are religious think so. But we don't know the answer to this question so all is speculation. However, we can address the question of what each person can do to make his or her own life more meaningful. A good place to start is to make a list of your values, all the things that are really important, hence meaningful, to you. Then ask yourself what can you do to improve yourself with respect to your list of values. Here it is important to focus on what you can control, even if it is only your attitude toward things. Then I think it helps to maintain some sort of diary where you record your good deeds, the things you do that you feel good about. This sounds a bit contrived, but it is essential to counter our natural tendency to forget these positive actions and focus instead on what we haven't done or don't have.

There are no right answers here. Some people say that loving someone and being loved is essential to having a meaningful life. But if you are a loner who obtains a great deal of satisfaction through reading or winning computer games, then that is what makes your life meaningful.

Where we defeat ourselves is in comparing ourselves with the wrong role models. It is self-defeating to compare ourselves exclusively with people who have more than we have. Of course, looking up to some people can be inspiring, but we should balance this by comparing ourselves with less fortunate people as well.

Finally, I agree with other writers who say that life is like a holiday and so we shouldn't spoil it by feeling sorry for ourselves just because it has to come to an end. It's a matter of attitude, but you can take the view that being born at all is a much greater prize than any lottery ever offered. So, you should consider yourself a winner, as very fortunate, no matter what your circumstances.

Learn more about this author, Mitch Mccrimmon.
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