Tina Fey
Sometimes life seems like an endless to-do list that we never get to complete. For that reason, itโs important to remind ourselves that life is more than that.
If we take a step back and pay attention, we’ll discover that even in the smallest of moments, there are gentle reminders that our lives do have profound meaning.
From the warmth of a loved one’s embrace to the big and small victories we achieve, these everyday events quietly nudge us to recognize the significance of our existence.
Letโs uncover together these remarkable reminders.
1) Family/kids
Many studies have shown that people who have gratifying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier and live longer lives with fewer health problems.
For those that have family and/or kids, thereโs also no better reminder of the meaning of life than them.
The love and connections we share with them, as well as creating new traditions or rituals within the family, bring a sense of purpose and meaning to the lives of all family members.
Reflecting on shared memories, such as family vacations, gatherings, or simple moments spent together, reminds us of the bond and joy that comes from being part of a family. These all carry deep emotional meaning.
Although, at times, family life and raising kids can be (very) challenging, overall, itโs a gratifying life experience like no other.
On the other side, you shouldnโt feel pressured into marrying and having kids just because others do so.
As youโll soon see, there are many things outside of family life that give our lives meaning.
2) Friends
Friends are another important cog in living longer and happier lives full of meaning. And not many things in life can compare to having great friends that you share your life with.
Taking the time to socialize takes the load off our busy lives as we can talk about things of shared interest and enjoy activities that make us truly happy.
Knowing that our friends have our back unconditionally and that we always have a listening ear, advice, or simply someone thatโs there for us is a constant reminder that our lives have a purpose.
3) Pets
Pets bring so much joy into our lives, and all they ask in return are food and cuddles. They provide emotional support and look at us without judgment.
By providing solace and reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles, they truly are our best friends in many ways.
For some people, their love for pets goes above their friends and even family. I mean, I can somewhat understand them.
However, thereโs enough love for everyone. It doesnโt have to be a competition, you guys!
4) Celebrating milestones
Holidays are the perfect times to see our families and friends. But there are many occasions when we can celebrate.
For instance, celebrating each other’s accomplishments, whether academic, professional, or personal, reminds us that our family and friends are there to cheer us on and share in our joys and successes.
Our personal lives also offer many milestones we can mark alone or with others. They reinforce the significance of our accomplishments and motivate us to go forward.
5) Meaningful activities
Many activities in our everyday lives make us feel fulfilled. For some, itโs a hobby they share with other passionate people, for others, itโs sports, music, or video games.
Whatever a meaningful activity is to you, it can remind you that life is good and that itโs worth living.
For people that still didnโt find something that fulfills them, my advice is to try numerous activities you think youโd like.
The good thing is that thanks to social media, we can easily find like-minded folks around the globe.
Thatโs especially helpful for someone that lives in a small town where few to no people like to do what you do.
6) Making a difference
By contributing to causes or helping others in need, we can touch the lives of many people that deserve it.
Even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on the lives of others. This can be as simple as showing empathy and compassion or offering a helping hand to someone in need.
When we spread positivity through simple gestures, these acts remind us of the ripple effect we can create through our actions.
7) Sharing knowledge
Teaching someone new things is extremely satisfying. Anyone with kids can appreciate that. But even if you arenโt a teacher or a parent, you help others learn new things almost every day.
If you didnโt have such aspirations until now, discover something youโre good at and find a way to help others. It doesnโt even have to be in person. By sharing your knowledge online, you can touch considerably more people than you could in 1-on-1 sessions.
On the other side, human contact makes teaching people much more satisfying, in my opinion.
8) Learning new things
However, this goes the other way, too, as learning new things and skills also reminds us that life has meaning.
We can learn from books or classes, for example. But we can also learn from the experiences, wisdom, and guidance of older family members, such as parents, grandparents, or siblings. This reminds us of the valuable lessons they pass on.
This next thing is another great reminder that life is worth living.
9) Laughter
Laughter is so important that I had to put it separate from other reminders. Itโs a catalyst for positivity and optimism as it infuses our lives with a sense of lightness and joy, reminding us to embrace the simple pleasures that surround us.
When we bring laughter and joy to others, either by cracking a joke or with one of our playful antics, and we evoke smiles, we become aware of the impact we have on the happiness of those around us.
Laughter is also important because it has proven short and long-term benefits like stress and pain relief and improving the immune system.
So by laughing, youโre helping your body and mind, and by making others laugh, youโre literally healing them. Think about that for a second.
10) Reflecting
Reflection, introspection, self-discovery, and journaling help us uncover our values, passions, and aspirations and reinforce our sense of purpose and meaning.
I love when Google Photos sends me notifications each morning with photos of past events. Itโs one of the best tools to help you enjoy little things in life and feel a sense of gratitude.
Seeing these photos of my family, friends, pets, activities, and more is an excellent reminder that my life is filled with purpose.
This leads us to my last point.
11) Acceptance
Sometimes, the simple act of accepting life as it is can bring us revelation and reinforce our belief in a purposeful life.
When we experience acceptance, whether it’s self-acceptance or acceptance from those around us, it affirms the inherent worth and value of our lives.
This is especially true when weโre going through challenging times.
Finding acceptance doesnโt diminish the difficulties we encounter but rather empowers us to navigate them with resilience and grace.
Final thoughts
What daily acts, situations, and people remind you that life is worth living? What gets you over the slump?
For me, itโs trying to live in the moment as much as I can that helps me see that life is beautiful.
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