Are you on a search for meaning? 

Search for Meaning

I've been searching for meaning for decades now. It's a search that is meant to last a lifetime. 

How does one start a search for meaning? 

One can start this journey at an infinite number of points. There is no right or wrong place to start, it is only important that one starts. If you have no idea of even where to begin I do have a few ideas.

Where to Start

One obvious place to start is with the book, "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. This is a classic book on meaning and the importance for meaning. 

Another ideal place to start is with Jungian psychology. While I wouldn't recommend starting with Carl Jung's works, but many Jungian Analysts have written numerous books making Carl Jung's wisdom accessible. One of my favorite Jungian authors is James Hollis. A great book of his to start with is "Creating a Life: Finding your Individual Path." 

A different way to start your search is to journal. All you need is a pen and a notebook. Five to ten minutes every morning will pay you in dividends the longer you continue this daily practice. 

Some people choose to start a search for a more meaningful life by meditating or practicing mindfulness. Others choose to access a path to meaning by studying art.

So you see, there is no wrong way to pursue your path to meaning. What is so beautiful about this search, is that if pursued faithfully, every search for meaning will end in a pot of gold. The gold will be meaning, a life well lived, and a renewed purpose. 

Staying on the Path

How do you stay motivated to stay on this path toward meaning? That is a good question. 

With the fast pace of life today, we often forget to stop and smell the proverbial roses. Often, art, for me, is what reminds me to stop and smell the roses. Studying my favorite artists or visiting art museums reinvigorate my love for art and search for meaning. 

Memories of growing up as a fourth generation in rural Arkansas definitely serve to aid as reminders to slow down and smell the roses. Nostalgia and nostalgic images would also serve the same purpose for most people as well. I think this is why cottage core decor has become so popular. Cottage Core is at its heart, nostalgia. 

Art can be an entry into the individual path of a search for meaning, but it can also be a reminder to stay on the path of a meaningful life. 

Art and Meaning

Not all art is ideal for a meaningful path. Old Master's Art would be the ideal art to inspire one towards meaning. Very few people can own an old master's art in their own home. Then, most people need to look to more contemporary artists. 

Art that inspires us to smell the roses or reminds us of nostalgia would be the ideal type of art to move us along a meaningful path. 

Wouldn't Abstract art be the best for this meaningfulness path? Actually no. True abstract art is designed to have no attachment to any meaning to get the viewer to think outside of meaning and known constructs to interpret the artwork. Abstract art would actually be the opposite of a meaningful path. 

Meaning or Purpose is a search for every man or woman

Search for a meaningful life is ideal for every human at every stage of life. Everyone can benefit from this life path. Some people choose to be on this path intensely for a short time while others choose to stay on this path their entire life. This is what makes this such wonderful course: every path is an ideal path so long as it resonates with the individual. In fact, every individuals path will be different. 

A search or path of meaning or purpose is vital to growing and maturing as a human. The choice of path is not nearly as important as choosing to embark upon the path in the first place. 

How will you start or continue your journey? Will you change or alter your path to incorporate a different aspect of your search? 

I'd love to hear how this information has inspired or helped you. Let me know below what has helped you.