When people ask me, “What is the meaning of life?” I answer briefly and clearly: it’s about doing something that positively impacts other living beings (humans, animals, plants, the ecosystem, etc.), leaving behind a meaningful difference in their lives, and doing so while enjoying life and finding happiness in the process.
Every person should have a mission of this kind and a vision to carry it out. Throughout our lives, we ought to do everything we can to make our dreams come true.
The difference between where we begin and where we end up
We all start life somewhere. For instance, some are born poor, others rich. Some are born in a developed country, others in a nation mired in chaos. Some come into the world in fractured or troubled families—or even orphaned—while others are born into stable, nurturing households. Where we start in life is not something we can control. But what truly matters is not where we begin, but where we end up. In other words, it’s the gap between our starting point and our final destination. The more positive that difference is, the more meaningful and beautiful a life we’ve lived. And if we manage to find happiness along the way, then we’ve truly done life justice.
Now, this gap doesn’t necessarily need to be measured in financial terms. It’s not about how much wealth you’ve accumulated. Many people live unhappy lives despite being wealthy. What counts is the positive difference you’ve made in the lives of others—be they people or other living beings. Perhaps you’ve never had a formal job, but you raised two kind, upstanding children who contribute to their country and to humanity, that too is a life well lived. Or maybe you worked for a nonprofit for years, helping thousands of people improve their living standards—that also counts as a positive life. Or you might be wealthy but used that wealth to develop meaningful technologies that benefit humanity, advancing sustainability and doing important work—that, too, means you’ve lived well.
The effort to do your best
There will be moments in life when you lose your way. You might feel as if life has lost its meaning. Everyone experiences highs and lows. At times, you may feel like it’s too late for certain things. But all of these trials—your timing, your hardships, and how you rise above them to write your own success story—are deeply personal. Everyone carries their own burdens and walks their own unique path. What matters is that, despite all the confusion and difficulties of the world, you strive to do your very best.
Like waiting for a delayed flight
On that note, I’d like to share two Instagram posts that sum up what I wish to say to anyone currently feeling lost or uncertain in life:
The first is a reel by Taner Özdeş, whose content I follow with interest. In the helpful video available at this link, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIek_veAy1h/?igsh=ZGpjMjdrZ2syN2Fh he likens life to “waiting at the airport for a delayed flight.” He describes the ways people often try to kill time and distract themselves when they’re emotionally unsettled and offers this advice: “When you learn to manage your emotions, you can focus on what really matters and work toward lasting happiness.” Beneath the post, Taner Bey further sums up this wisdom with the following words:
The Value of Creating Meaning
A meaningful life—we all want it. But what do we do? Pleasure overrides everything! So how do we chase pleasure? Shopping, eating, scrolling through social media, wasting time in WhatsApp groups, aimless chatter…
So, what can we do instead?
– Find your passion
– Take up an activity you’re naturally good at
– Pick up a hobby and get good at it
– Spend quality time with family
– Read
– Engage with the arts
– Travel the world
– Explore philosophy and history
– Learn a new language
– Play a musical instrument
– And so on, and so on…
Meaning isn’t found in pleasure—it lies beyond it. In fact, it’s often discovered through discomfort or even pain.
The choice is yours.
“Life gains value not by searching for meaning, but by creating it.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
Adler vs. Freud
The second Instagram post I’d like to share comes from a personal development page called mindvibrations:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIhSEaCy2Me/?igsh=MWt4aG1xOTFwcjF3Zw%3D%3D
This post offers a powerful observation and solution regarding the global mental health crisis—particularly relevant in our country and many others. It contrasts the perspectives of Freud and Adler, and includes the following thoughts:
“But what if the mental health crisis isn’t just a crisis of the mind… but also a crisis of direction?”
“We built an entire industry around Freud… digging into the past, analyzing wounds, getting stuck there.”
“But Adler showed us another path.”
A path rooted in responsibility. In meaning. In purpose.
Not backwards. Forwards.
The accompanying video also notes that modern psychology tends to follow one of two schools of thought. Most psychologists, it argues, operate within Freud’s framework—linking everything in your present to your childhood, your family, your past traumas.
For Lasting Happiness…
Adler, on the other hand, believes that while we shouldn’t ignore the past, it isn’t the most important thing. What truly matters are your beliefs, your purpose, and your search for meaning. Unlike Freud—who remains fixated on past traumas—Adler sees healing as something that comes through taking responsibility, forming connections, and finding purpose in the present moment. In other words, living the now in alignment with your life’s purpose.
I don’t know about you, but I’m firmly in Adler’s camp. That much is certain. I know I can’t change the past, but I also know that to shape my future, I need to focus on what I do right now and take the necessary steps forward.
Of course, I also understand that even if you know all of this, putting it into practice can be incredibly difficult. But if you can manage to repair those emotional disconnections, find inner balance, and focus on your life’s purpose—and if you take the actions that align with it—you’ll make real progress toward a meaningful life and eventually find lasting happiness.
Tag: health
