Meaning of life

A meaning to life. There has to be something more to it. An empty life is not something worth living. But what need have we for a life full of meaning if it's no different from any other life?

One thing that we've been taught during our time in this world, it's that everything happens for a reason. And that reason gives the event meaning.

And we, being humans are constantly asking what that meaning is. We keep asking for reasons, causes and effects. Trying to figure out the layers and reasons why things happen. What is the meaning behind a certain event? Why would a mother slap her child? Why would a man drink? What are we here for? Why am I writing this?

For each of the above-mentioned question, there can be a whole myriad of answers. And each answer would give the action or event in question a whole new meaning. It would invoke an absolutely different response each time.

Let's take for example the event of the mother slapping her child.The mother slapped her son due to frustration. Is this acceptable? Perhaps.

But what if I told you that her frustration was due to the fact that her son had interrupted her while she was on the phone with a friend? Has the meaning behind the action changed?

Now, what if I told you that her son was suffering an asthma attack? How do you feel about this now?

And if she continues on beating him even after she realises that he's suffering an asthma attack, would the meaning of the action change in any way?

As you can see, with the inclusion of each additional factor, we find the meaning of the action takes on a different color.

Such is the nature of meaning. When we give an action a meaning, in truth we are comparing it with something else. We are judging it. Meaning is the layer between two things. It is the "nothing" that becomes "everything" about what we do. It is all about giving a name to that which is nameless.

And many of us have tried to do so. To give meaning. Not find it, rather to try and give it meaning. But how do you give meaning to life? And when you do manage to do so, will you be satisfied with it? Can you be satisfied with it?