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One of the questions I tend to get is what I think the meaning of life is. I never have a good answer because I’ve never tried to answer the question. And I’ve never tried to answer the question because I don’t think that it matters.

As children we’re conditioned to do what we’re supposed to do. That makes sense, because five-year-olds probably aren’t well equipped to decide when to go to school or the dentist. The problem, though, is that we stay in this “supposed to” mode way too long. It becomes a habit and a way of life.

To me, figuring out the meaning of life is just an extension of figuring out what you’re “supposed to do”. Except, of course, that it can’t be figured out. Humans have been trying forever and no one’s gotten it yet. Odds are that you won’t either.

And the reason it hasn’t been figured out is that there isn’t a meaning to life, other than the meaning you give it. And that’s a good thing.

I don’t believe in a higher power, a higher purpose, or life after death. No spirits or souls. Some people, maybe those who are too conditioned to the “supposed to” way of life, find that depressing.

I find it liberating. It brings what we can all agree we have– a life– to the forefront, cuts away the distraction, and gives us the responsibility to figure out what to do with it. It makes life a blank canvas rather than a color by numbers cartoon.

One of the best skills you can develop is the ability to completely ignore what you’re supposed to do, and do what you think is best. That’s not to say that these things don’t overlap; you’d probably agree that driving the way you’re supposed to down a one way street is a good idea. The idea isn’t to be a contrarian, it’s to disregard “supposed to” entirely.

So that’s my advice to people looking for the meaning of life. Make your own meaning by doing what you think is best. Follow that advice and I doubt you’ll have many regrets on your deathbed.


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There are 31 Comments.


Nate
Apr 26th, 2010 @ 9:08 am

Tynan,

You have no idea how much I needed this post.

About 15 minutes ago, I was scared to death about telling my parents I dropped out of College.

As soon as I thought “Holy Sh*t, mt life is over”, and email came into my inbox saying you had a new post up.

I’ve been following your posts for quite some time now, and reading your posts gives me the jolt I need to make a change, this being no exception.

I read it, and thought, I really need to just do what I need to do.

Thank you, just, thank you, this post was just what I needed to get my life in order.


Mark
Apr 26th, 2010 @ 9:08 am

What I’m hearing is that the meaning of life doesn’t matter and that the meaning of life is to create your own meaning, that you should work to find your own meaning. And also that it is like figuring out “what you are supposed to do” which can’t be figured out. If you can’t figure out what to do, how do you do anything?


Ryan
Apr 26th, 2010 @ 9:59 am

“It makes life a blank canvas rather than a color by numbers cartoon.”

Excellent analogy. I’m gonna remember this one for the next time I try to describe my world view.

Apr 26th, 2010 @ 10:23 am

Tynan,

You’re right on with this post. There is no outline to finding a meaningful life. It’s more important to do what you and only you think is best.

P.S. – Love the blog, going to have to dig through the archives very soon.

Apr 26th, 2010 @ 11:22 am

I agree on with your, it is what you make it, but I disagree with their not being something after this, I think our energy returns to the stars and then we are re-created over and over again….but hey everyone is entitled to their own opinion, ALSO. I wanted to know if you have music posted anywhere on the net for me to check out

W.A.G.Z.


Jason
Apr 26th, 2010 @ 12:47 pm

Tom Brown, Jr., when he was a boy, was playing around with his good friend Rick by coming up with stupid philosophical questions, the kind like “Does a tree make a sound when it falls if no one is around to hear it” or “Could God make a rock so heavy he couldn’t lift it?” In that same fooling-around spirit, he asked his mentor, Apache elder Stalking Wolf, “Grandfather, what is the meaning of life?” Stalking Wolf shot back, “Grandson, I can only answer that when your life has meaning!”


TJ
Apr 26th, 2010 @ 1:46 pm

Nice post. Sounds a lil like existentialism.

You are right, only one thing does matter when you die. What your OWN self thinks about what one did with one’s own life.


TJ
Apr 26th, 2010 @ 1:46 pm

By the way how do I get rid of the picture that posts up on my icon above my name?

I still have no idea how that gets there..


Tynan
Apr 26th, 2010 @ 2:29 pm

@WAGZ I do have a couple songs on this blog… you’ll find them if you look through the archives. My MySpace also has a few

@TJ The image is through gravatar.com


tan
Apr 26th, 2010 @ 4:20 pm

Thanks, Tynan –

Today is my birthday, and while it’s always good to encounter thought-provoking ideas that help galvanize us to live a more conscious life, it’s PARTICULARLY nice to run across those on one’s birthday. Peace.

Apr 26th, 2010 @ 9:07 pm

hah, awesome picture guys!


Gruntwilligar
Apr 27th, 2010 @ 12:43 am

The meaning of life is really quite simple. It is to pass your genes(DNA) along to the next generation. Nothing more, nothing less.

Apr 27th, 2010 @ 10:34 am

@ Grunt

Not true. One could decide they don’t want to have children. That doesn’t mean there life has no meaning or that they’ve failed in achieving what they were “supposed to do” on this Earth.

Apr 27th, 2010 @ 11:38 am

My answer to the “meaning of life” question when I’m asked is simply: There is no meaning. It just exists.

Apr 27th, 2010 @ 1:39 pm

Hi Tynan.

I like how you worded this message. There isn’t much value to following some example of what we are supposed to do, because there is no given blueprint to our future plans, and anyone who says there is one is making things up. We sometimes feel this internal pressure like there is some set plan that we were or are supposed to follow, and that we are not handling it properly, but that pressure can be tossed away. It comes from, like you said, a remnant from our youth.

The meaning of life is what we label it as and nothing more.

Apr 27th, 2010 @ 3:22 pm

On the question of the meaning of life, I agree. I spent a lot of time worrying about what was next, why the world was what it was, etc., and one day had the epiphany that it wasn’t worth my worry. Whatever comes next our time here is too limited to spend worrying.

I am not 100% convinced that this is all there is to us, but I also think that the answer will come and to live this life, as it’s all we’re certain of, as if this is it.

As to higher powers and all that, if he/she/it/they exist, it’s absolutely so mind bogglingly past anything our religions have imagined, why bother. And I highly doubt it has any concern with our adoration, blind obedience, or what symbol is atop our steeples. I’m not saying there is a “god” or isn’t – just that I’m not bothered with caring about it.

Apr 28th, 2010 @ 12:09 am

i agree with this philosophy except that it makes it hard to find the meaning you give to your life. because its completely in your hands, its both “hard” and “easy” to deal with. i can’t really explain it but for me, it definitely doesn’t let me off the hook. i’m solely responsible for my own life. radical concept!

Apr 28th, 2010 @ 2:39 pm

Love topics like this… “what is the meaning of life”. Life is meant to be lived, not over analyzed by the nonsense us humans come up with. Life is beyond something as silly as “a meaning”. it is immense. it is magnificent. it is meant to be experienced fully.

Tynan, when you say that you don’t believe in anything after life. I would go one step further and say that I don’t ever think about that either: is there an after life? YES or NO?… all of these thoughts are distractions that take me away from the immense gift that is right in front of all of us… our life!

I am like that kid whose parents told him he could do something wild and before they could change their mind, he is off– laughing and playing, smiling and singing… life is like this for me: Somebody fucked up and gave me the greatest gift ever, Ima play with it until they decide to take it away… :)

Good stuff bro.

Apr 29th, 2010 @ 6:05 pm

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Foobar
Apr 30th, 2010 @ 2:28 pm

No offense, but this is a poorly written post. Why am I even on this site? I googled professional gambler.


BarbaraElyse
May 1st, 2010 @ 11:19 am

I think that not accepting the fact that we are more than our physical bodies is somewhat ignorant. I also believe that ignorance is the root of suffering.

I believe our purpose is to share knowledge and evolve as a species. Just as all living organisms on the planet evolve into more complex organisms, our job as individuals is to find our personal expression of this driving force within all of us and to manifest our intent through personal experience. To learn and grow.

@Gruntwilligar: The goal of Eros is no longer procreation, but creative expression. Until we realize this we will continue to be over populated, and undernourished.


tanu
May 15th, 2010 @ 4:04 am

All life is an experiment.The more experiment you makes the better.so make your life better by doing more and more experiments.

May 24th, 2010 @ 2:38 am

[...] The Meaning of Life Doesn’t Matter [...]

May 30th, 2010 @ 6:33 pm

i agree with this philosophy except that it makes it hard to find the meaning you give to your life. because its completely in your hands, its both “hard” and “easy” to deal with. i can’t really explain it but for me, it definitely doesn’t let me off the hook. i’m solely responsible for my own life. radical concept!

Jun 3rd, 2010 @ 8:51 pm

Well my friend, I believe I’ve found the perfect opposite of all that I believe. Let me start by saying I really like your writing. It’s fresh, engaging, and authentic. I also like the fact that you think for yourself, so few do. However, and you knew a “however” was coming, from my perspective, there is not a greater need in the human experience than finding meaning and purpose in life. And I would also point out that I believe that you are very committed to a number of “supposed to’s.” Whenever you say that “we shouldn’t,” you’re saying “we should” in the negative. For example, “we should” ignore what we’re supposed to do, except apparently in cases where automobile accidents might occur. I’m also guessing that you’re for kindness, honesty, fairness, and love. I’m guessing you think “we should” not ignore these behaviors and values. Of course, people can argue about how to define these ideas within any particular situation, but I bet you’re for ‘em. And by the way, many people have indeed found deep meaning in life, sometimes in unbelievably difficult circumstance, e.g., Victor Frank’s life in the Nazi prisoner of war camp. So my young friend, enjoy the slopes, sow your oats, and one of these days when you’re wondering what life is all about, go ahead and let yourself really ponder the question. Oh, and God will be there to listen. I do truly wish you well.


marcus
Jun 22nd, 2010 @ 3:47 am

think about it, “the meaning of life” isn’t a question its a statement, it doesn’t need figuring out, find out the meaning of the word “meaning” and you have the answer


Jason
Jul 1st, 2010 @ 12:12 am

I suppose after reading some of your thoughtful articles I have a tendency to conclude that your higher purpose is to be to educate others on “how to live a life outside the box”.

Contradictions aside. Keep up the excellent work. Hope you find meaning in them.


Gruntwilligar
Aug 2nd, 2010 @ 2:13 pm

@Jason, Sir, I disagree with you. If one person decides to not have children then her or his siblings children might benefit from her or his experience or support.
Sometimes a branch on the tree of life reaches a dead end. But if a person’s family, clan or tribe continues then the DNA continues.


Jessica
Aug 3rd, 2010 @ 1:05 pm

I have been reading your blog for several months now. I enjoy this post very much.

Perhaps what one is “supposed” to do is to follow his/her instincts and fulfill his/her desires. Most importantly, to live happily, one should live in the moment. I think this is along the lines of what you are saying.

It seems that when talking about subjects like this, many people have disagreements not because of the concepts, but because of their understanding of the word/phrases. I.e. One person’s interpretation “soul” may be something totally different than my interpretation of the word.


Neya K.H.
Aug 6th, 2010 @ 1:07 pm

I personally agree with this article. It is true that your life is what you make of it.. But as young as I am its almost impossible to do anything. Sometimes I wonder why life was even created, and I find myself questioning every little thing around me, easily making me depressed. Dosent any one ever realize that everything you do in a day is insignificant, because no matter what you do, death will always be your end?


wellwell
Aug 13th, 2011 @ 4:39 am

Life has a very basic meaning. Survive and duplicate. Then we modify it using our capabilities for a diversity of reasons, including art, or enjoyment.

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