One subject that interested us in college was philosophy, especially about the meaning of life. From Aristotle’s philosophy that life’s meaning and purpose is the pursuit of happiness; Socrates’ perspective that the ultimate goal of human existence is not just to live but to live a good, meaningful, and virtuous life; to Sartre’s existential approach that there is no meaning and purpose to our lives other than what our freedom creates and therefore, we must rely on our own resources; Kierkegaard’s meaning in life resides in accepting oneself as the task, but one can only secure meaning through a proper relation with God; and such other life’s philosophies that my friends would discuss and debate upon over bottles of beer or gin or combined—like a “beergin”—throughout the night till the break of dawn.
The memories of college discussions with friends about the meaning of life came to the fore of our ageing consciousness now that I would find myself with older friends comparing our life journeys—how fulfilling or meaningful, how happy or joyful, they were.
My elderly friends and I found that, at this stage of our life as we are waiting at the “departure area” for our flight to the afterlife, we have somehow found fulfillment and joy when we share our knowledge and talents, fortune, and blessings with our fellowmen.
When we alleviate the lives of fellow human beings, a group or community, from their problems, dilemmas, predicaments, or whenever we were part of their own success or achievements, the joyful feeling of having helped or improved their lot is long lasting. It is a joyful feeling that gives one a sense of soulful contentment and satisfaction, and not just a fleeting emotion of happiness. As often quoted: Joy is in the heart, happiness is on the face; joy is of the soul, happiness is of the moment.
We observed that one’s spirituality grows with age, especially when we are in our elderly state and believe in the promise of an everlasting life, as a way to achieve peace of mind. Unless of course we adhere to the existentialist belief that we are responsible for creating our purpose and meaning in our lives, without regard to governments, gods, or authority figures to make us realize the purpose and meaning of our lives.
But whichever we base our own beliefs on what life is, for as long as we are at peace with our fellowmen, our environment and our world, then we can also exit peacefully from existence, confident that we are leaving something good in this world.
Makes for some good introspection this 2025, don’t you think?
