The Meaning of Life - Not Just Another Dust in the Wind Theory

I grew up in the south in the 1960's. Married when I was 18 and joined the Army when I was 23. I traveled to Germany then back to the states where I lived in Connecticut for a while and then Tennessee for 10 years. I am now living in Maine.

Of all the traveling I have done in my life I have heard people asking one question constantly. It doesn't matter if you are religious or not. We all want to know "What is the meaning of life?" I myself have asked that question a thousand times.

Socrates and Plato and a thousand other deep thinkers of their times have tried to define or explain the meaning of life. Each with his own perception and understanding and most times with a very complicated explanation.

It was not until I took up hiking in the mountains of Tennessee that I had plenty of time to ponder the complexities of this age old question. Being a Christian I was raised to believe certain things and to look at life in certain ways. But as I got older and began studying and searching for myself I began to realize that what I was taught as a child was not as complicated as some would have had me believe.

I always wondered why God would have put us here simply to suffer through this life. After all he does love us and of that I have no doubt. So why then? I studied and pondered and reflected in deep thought just like many have before me, and like them, to no avail.

Then one day while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee I came to a clearing overlooking a valley. It was a clear day with the sun shining bright. As I looked out across the valley I saw an eagle soaring on the wind. And as usual the thought crossed my mind that it would be really nice to be able to soar like that. Then I thought, do eagles look at us and wish they were like us?

That is when something inside me clicked. It was more like an explosion or an awakening of sorts. The meaning of life was so simple that I had looked right past it thinking that it would be some big discovery of some sort. Some words of wisdom that would make me look like a genius. Instead three words kept going through my brain. Thundering as if God himself was speaking them directly into my thoughts.

We spend our entire lives from the moment we take our first breath til our last one is used up trying to be something we aren't. Whether we are trying to get a job by seeming more experienced or trying to win someones heart by becoming the person they are looking for. We act differently in different situations. Why?

It is in our nature I suppose or at least the nature of the flesh. But God's nature is to be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. And since we are to strive to be more "God-like", which I used to think meant to try to be perfect, then the meaning of life is nothing more than to "JUST BE YOU!"

Yep, it is just that simple. Be you no matter what happens or where you are or who you are with or what you are trying to achieve. If you can do this you will be something that the majority of people will never be. Good, bad or indifferent you will just be you.

John Dyer is the owner of: thisonlinepage.com

T.H.I.S stands for Truth Honesty Integrity Sincerity - something the author has found too little of online.

---

Giving Importance

I call myself semi-retired. I work at a job that... Read More

Silence Inside

Silence means no voice input of any sort. What happens... Read More

Joy in Perseverance

I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take... Read More

The Karate Kid

I have an unexpected relationship problem. It's hard to believe... Read More

Pride Goeth

Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 25,... Read More

No Problem!

Thanks to Walt Disney's "The Lion King", children the world... Read More

Motivation and Inspiration: Illusions 101

Q: I was wondering if you could recommend any books... Read More

Small Steps, Great Strides

Sacred space, sacred timeBelieve in your personal power, retrieve if... Read More

A Resurrection Story

My mother often wound up in the hospital during the... Read More

Alone But Not Lonely

In today's fast paced society, we've become accustomed to filling... Read More

Whose Decision

Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 5,... Read More

Say Thank You to the Cow for the Steak on Your Plate

Have you ever said thank-you to the cow that provided... Read More

Anamchara - Living From A Deep Place

I live in a beautiful place.This is the village of... Read More

Such Love Transforms

Everything was arranged: once the funeral was over, all were... Read More

Believe In Yourself

Diana is a wonderful person with a great personality and... Read More

Change

Those of you, who can fathom yourselves welcoming and enjoying... Read More

My Life With Furniture

These days, I find the lines are blurred between school... Read More

The Secret Of Lasting Personal Change

Why do so many of us end up frustrated when... Read More

?Back to CYA on a Mission?

Six former wards came back to the California Youth Authority... Read More

How to Use the Ebb and Flow of Life to Your Advantage

Are you overwhelmed with so many activities you don't know... Read More

You Can Quickly And Easily Solve Your Problems

Today I just wanted to write you a quick note... Read More

Lifes Purpose

To every life, there is a purpose; a purpose of... Read More

Anamchara - Making Sense of Life

Many successful persons advise you start your day with a... Read More

Have You Ever Felt GOD in You?

God is the primordial Creative Force that is believed to... Read More

Go On ! Give your Enemy a Hug

Another preposterous idea from yours truly, even the thought makes... Read More

One Night Stand

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 24,... Read More

How I Made $10,000 In One Day By Swimming Underwater!

"Without health, life is not life; it is only a... Read More

How To Walk On The Path Of Peace (Part 1)

As there are silent depths in the ocean, which the... Read More

Struggling With Addictions

What kind of bad habits do you struggle with? Most... Read More

The Road Not Taken

Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 24,... Read More

The Pursuit of Greatness

On June 3rd, 1948, a blast rocked the Black Hills... Read More

Blasting Out of the Shadows: The Power of Your True Voice

First, let me share a quote from Ashlee Simpson's latest... Read More

Faux Feelings

Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 10,... Read More