I was waiting in line at the market recently and the cashier asked if I wanted bags. I replied that I had left my reusable ones in the hallway while running out in a hurry. The gentleman in line behind me said he leaves his bags in the car ready to go. I replied, “I usually do as well.” Being neighborly he responded, “It’s the thought that counts.” 

I smiled and left the store thinking, is it the thought that counts or purposeful actions following thoughts that count? We can talk the talk, but do we walk the walk? 

In today’s hurried, topsy-turvy world, life is not always a walk in the park. However, being mindful of our actions along the way is certain to add more meaning. 

A more rewarding life is a well-intentioned life where the familiar is challenged and robotic lives are exchanged for purposeful ones. One way of welcoming this “aliveness” is to be willing to peel back the onion with introspection, emerging happier and more fulfilled on the other side. 

Hanna Perlberger, author, attorney, spiritual teacher and coach posits, “When we don’t confuse the ‘good life’ with an ‘easy life’ then we can embrace challenges as a means of self-discovery. And when we don’t expect our lives to be simple, then we can tap into our significance.” 

In Toward a More Meaningful Life Rabbi Simon Jacobson writes, “We may find ourselves face-to-face with the existential fear and loneliness that people have long wrestled with: that we are alone in our universe, that life lacks purpose and direction. In overcoming our terror, we answer the challenge to define our true beliefs, who we are and the values we live by. At such moments, we have an opportunity to discard old patterns of behavior and outfit ourselves with new ones.” 

Beyond inward self-discovery is outward giving.  Belonging and contributing to our communities can be an integral part of finding personal satisfaction and deeper meaning. Rabbi Jacobson posits, “Personal growth is necessary, but not an end in itself. When we humbly acknowledge our role in life and recognize that the world does not revolve around our ego, we put aside our vanity and act responsibly. We realize that each of us is integral in shaping the world, but that none of us has the power—or the responsibility—to do it alone.”  

Making life more meaningful also begins at home by establishing reciprocally loving interpersonal relationships. The Lubavitcher Rebbe stated, “Better a difficult peace than an easy quarrel.” Make your home a secure refuge, a safe place where peace and loving kindness are a priority; an environment where random and very conscious acts of kindness are performed daily towards one another. In Hebrew this is called, “shalom bayis” or peace in the home.

There is a verse in Psalms (39:4) that says, “Remind me that my days are numbered.” You cannot add more time in the day, but you can live life to the fullest every minute of each day with the realization that it’s never too late to live a more meaningful life. There is no time like the present, so let your path towards a more meaningful life start today. 

Dr. Amy Austin is a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFC#41252) and doctor of clinical psychology in Rancho Mirage. She can be reached at (760) 774.0047.

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