by Kim Patty

Created on: March 21, 2010

In trying to find truth and the meaning of life, we should start the search with our own truth and the meaning of our own lives.  Each person’s journey here in the time we have for our life is unique.  This is what makes life so interesting.  Also interesting is that we enter this world with nothing and we leave this world with nothing.  So the parentheses ( ) that is our life is just an experience, the experience and discovery of what life means to us, as individuals.

It would be so much easier if we all came here with a guidebook to help us discover the potential we have, the treasures that await us and the obstacles we may be faced with.  Instead, we are free to discover life for ourselves.

Books have been written that generically address our quest.  We have instructions on how to live, treat others, make millions of dollars, why we should feel guilty and shamed, how to beat addictions, and find love.  There are guides on how to take steps, 123, in order to get control of our life.  We have teachers, pastors, priest, counselors, managers, parents, and friends to point us in the direction they feel we should be headed.

The quest for truth and meaning is a private journey.  Your truth may come to you at 4am in the morning when you wake up in the silence of the day and ponder.  Your truth may come as you hold the hand of a loved one as they pass into another place.  Maybe it comes to you as you watch children playing or when you leave work one day and question your choices.  This sounds scary and lonely but it is a beautiful gift.

We have moments throughout our lives when the meaning of our truth and our quest for meaning are revealed to us.  These moments keep us on our path by showing us what is important, where we need to grow and when we need to kneel and thank this universe for all the opportunities we have on our quest.

Here are some steps that we can take to help us on our journey:

1.   Be humble and grateful

Know that just waking up every day is an opportunity to start a new chapter in our lives and give thanks to a higher power for the chance to be a part of this.

2.   Forgiveness

Every day we are a clean slate.  Accept the past, hold no grudges.  And, this means forgiving ourselves.  We played a huge part in the unfolding of our lives until now.  If it is not what we wanted it to be, then we have the opportunity to make a difference, starting today.

3.   Innocence

Remember when you were a child.  When everyday was another opportunity to discover something new.  When the mere sight of a butterfly was the most amazing thing and made you smile.  Those moments will appear throughout our lifetime.  Don’t let them pass you by.

4 Be a beacon of light and love

Once you have brought yourself to a place where you are on track and know it.  When you know everything that comes your way is part of your journey and you accept it, work with it and learn from it, you can then be a beacon of light and love for others.  By helping others to see their life as a personal and beautiful journey, you find peace.

“I came, I saw, I loved, I learned, I suffered, I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I found peace.”

What a journey, thank you.

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