Do you ever feel that perhaps there is some vital element of
your life missing? When you hear others talk about their deepest passions, do
you look at your own life and wonder why you don’t have those same feelings?
When someone speaks of how they find their work, marriage,
or daily activities incredibly meaningful and satisfying, do you ever feel
shortchanged? Have you ever thought: “What are my deepest passions, and why
doesn’t my life feel very satisfying and meaningful?” Have such questions ever
left you wondering…
Is there something seriously wrong with me?
Rest assured, the vast majority of people wonder the very
same thing in regard to one or more areas of their life. When we become aware
of how other peoples life experience seems to be richer and more meaningful
than ours, we can’t help wanting the same thing.
Deep down, we all know that life can and should be full of
meaning and fulfillment. Then why is it that so few people actually find those
things? Why does the richness of life seem to be missed by some, and fully
experienced by others?
Could it be circumstances that make a meaningful life?
Is it because some people are just lucky enough to be born
into a situation that makes it easy to have a richer life experience? Maybe
they were raised by exceptionally loving and insightful parents. Perhaps they
had a wise teacher or mentor who helped them unlock some kind of deeper
understanding about life at a young age.
Certainly, any scenario similar to these could create an
advantage. And obviously, this would not be an advantage that is shared by
everyone. But when we interview people who are actually living lives full of
meaning and passion, what do we find?
