This page is part of “Meaning”, which is part of “Creating a New Positive Religion or Spiritual Tradition”.
This is still a DRAFT.
Meaning that comes from being part of something larger and making a difference.
Something greater than ourselves
Many people report that what gives them a sense of meaning in life is a sense of belonging, of being part of something greater than themselves. Being alone with ourselves simply does not give as powerful a sense of meaning as cooperating with other people to serve a purpose greater than ourselves, such as: raising a family, making discoveries in science, creating works of art, helping others and the community, or working for a social cause. This is not about automatically belonging to a group simply because we were born into it (such as a specific nation or country), but about consciously choosing to belong to a group that suits us.
Helping others
We gain a sense of meaning when we notice someone who needs help and come to their aid. It feels good to know that someone feels a little better thanks to us. It “takes us out of ourselves”, out of being stuck in the stories we tell ourselves in our heads about our troubles.
Making an impact
We have a desire to have an impact, to shape reality according to our preferences, to bring about change, “to make a difference”. It doesn’t have to be something grand, like saving the world in a Hollywood movie. It can also happen in small things, like a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend in which we offer a listening ear and advice, and they feel better afterward. The very fact that we were there and helped a little is already an impact. We also affect the world through our small choices: whether to waste or save water and electricity, whether to litter the street or leave the place cleaner than we found it, whether to shout or speak politely, whether to use disposable items that pollute the environment or reusable ones. All of these affect the environment and the people around us, and this impact can spread outward in ripples.
Improving the world
Being part of a group of people who, by working together, manage to bring about positive change in society, in the country, in the economy, or in the environment. Feeling that we are doing something important not only for ourselves and those close to us, but also helping people and the world on a larger scale.