Meaning Is All Around Us

Meaningful moments can be found in the ordinary, like watching a sunrise or sharing a smile.

Meaning is not an achievement or something we have to earn. It's about clearly understanding what excites, inspires, and energizes us.

Meaning can be what fills our hearts, pushes us out of bed with determination in the morning, and scorches our hearts when we’re exposed to cruelty.

In the early 90s, sitting around the kitchen table of our college apartment, my roommate and I would spend hours—often losing track of time—talking about our future lives late into the night.

We were obsessed, trying to figure out how we would be able to do everything we wanted, determined to carve out our aspirations into tangible steps of finding paid work and gaining independence.

Back then, life was about going out with friends, having time to veg, wanting a lover who wanted to be there, and having the ability to support myself while doing something I enjoyed.

All I knew was that I loved talking to people and listening to their stories, and if, by chance, I could share something I had read or learned that might be helpful—and it was—it felt like I hit the jackpot. Talk about simple living. Back then, I daydreamed about having the Southern European lifestyle—sleeping in, morning coffee, afternoon siestas, late dinners, and closing the day with a few hours of dancing at a local hotspot.

That's how I defined a good life back then. Fast forward 30 years, and I still love time with my friends, taking time to unwind, having a good thing going with my husband, and having the independence to work for myself for the past ten years while raising two kids.

My priorities have changed a lot over the years, but I check in with myself regularly to ensure I am on track and living as good a life as possible, regardless of whatever else is happening.

Nowadays, being active, alert, and available to my family throughout the day is more important than going out at night.

Meaningful moments can be found everywhere, like watching a sunrise or sharing a smile.

Reconnecting to what’s most important can be a source of constant energy, offering a solid foundation to navigate setbacks with perseverance.