The Meaning of Life: Contributing to Something Greater

A Universal Definition: Meaning as Contribution

The question of the meaning of life has puzzled philosophers and thinkers for centuries.

However, if we distill the various streams of thought, from existential psychology to spiritual traditions, a central and unifying concept emerges.

The meaning of life, in its most universal essence, can be summed up in a single word: Contribute.

This is not a prescriptive definition of what we should contribute to, but a framework that each person can fill with his or her own content.

The idea is that a meaningful life is achieved when we transcend our own interests and make a contribution of value to the world around us.

It is a deliberate choice to "contribute value to others and to things greater than oneself."

Contribution in Different Belief Systems

The beauty of this definition is its universality and flexibility. It fits perfectly into any belief system, whether religious or secular.

For a person of faith, contribution can mean "veneration of God" and service to their religious community, following the precepts and values of their tradition.

Their actions are oriented to a greater good defined by their faith.

For a non-religious person, the principle is the same, but the object of the contribution is chosen by him.

He may decide to contribute to the welfare of his family, to the protection of the environment, to the advancement of scientific knowledge, to the creation of art or to the strengthening of his local community.

In both cases, the mechanism that generates meaning is identical: directing vital energy towards a purpose that goes beyond one's own survival or personal pleasure.

From Meaning (the Why) to Purpose (the How)

This definition allows us to make a useful distinction between the "meaning" and the "purpose" of life.

The meaning is the universal "why": we are here to contribute. It is the guiding principle.

Life purpose, on the other hand, is the personal and unique "how" of each individual.

It is the specific way we choose to manifest that contribution in the world, using our unique talents, passions and values.

For example, if the meaning is "contribute," one person's purpose might be "to contribute to the well-being of children through teaching," while another's might be "to contribute to the sustainability of the planet through engineering."

Purpose is, therefore, the personal mission we assign ourselves in order to live a life of meaning. It is the answer to the question, "How am I going to make my contribution?".

Contribution as a Path to Realization

Living a life of contribution not only provides us with a sense of meaning, but is also one of the most reliable routes to lasting happiness and personal fulfillment.

As psychiatrist Viktor Frankl argued, happiness cannot be pursued directly; it "happens" as a byproduct of dedicating oneself to a cause greater than oneself.

When we immerse ourselves in an activity that we