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  • Contemplation

The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.

Alan Watts

The Meaning of Life

In the world we live, it can be so easy to put all sorts of expectations and pressure upon ourselves to achieve something. To get somewhere. To believe that our worth lies in the world of accomplishment and accumulation.

But none of that is the truth.

When I read that first sentence, “The meaning of life is just to be alive,” I feel like a great weight of expectation has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel lighter. Freer. At peace.

Our purpose is simply to be alive.

That’s it.

We can’t get it wrong.

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Comments

  1. Terry Kontopoulos

    Hi Lisa
    Just letting you know that I read all your letters and see all your videos as I admire your “Eye” for bush/forest photography and your travel landscapes…
    I liked the “verse” of Alan Watts but as a born cynical (or schizophrenic as I’m still romantic) I can not really embrace it in these “bad/weird” times we live in a world constantly on the “edge” from our own political or personal choices by closing our own eyes to our environment and the world we will left for our children…
    That’s why I would not comment on his sentence and not because I ignored your email…
    I would NOT be insulted for not publish my little note as certainly sound too pessimistic and probably not fit well with the rest of the comments…
    In any case thank you for your efforts and I would suggest to ignore this and continue!…
    Sincerely Terry

    Reply
    1. Lisa Frost

      Hey Terry, apologies for my slow reply. I don’t expect everyone to resonate or agree with everything I share. We all have our own experiences that will cause us to look at even a simple seeming quote from very different perspectives. I can certainly understand your perspective on this one, and am grateful for you sharing your differing view in your always kind and thoughtful manner.

      For myself, as a somewhat neurotic perfectionist, I have often throughout my life become despondent at my seeming “failures”…or rather, not living up to my own lofty expectations for myself. And that despondency actually causes me to have less value for others. The idea that there isn’t actually something I *have* to achieve lifts such a weight of expectation from me that ironically it frees me to be of much more value than I otherwise would.

      I’m always happy to hear from you!

      Reply
  2. Dawn Hester

    Lisa, I always say God woke me up this morning and the rest is a bonus. With that being said, I try to live and enjoy this life with no harm to others. But living here in the US and all the political crap that’s going on, it’s hard to ignore. I do peak into the news at least once a day, but I also go on my morning walks (sometimes with a camera) and enjoy the peace and quiet. I do hope to try and visit some parks this year…we shall see how that goes. Prayers to the park rangers that are left. I also have a blog: ddhester.wordpress.com. Check it out when you get a chance. Keep up the good work on your YouTube channel.

    Reply
    1. Lisa Frost

      That sounds like a great philosophy to live by. Gratitude and appreciation make such a positive difference. I find the balance difficult with everything going on too, and have to keep reminding myself that makes it more important that I can go and appreciate nature and quiet. Thanks so much Dawn!

      Reply
  3. Bernie Freeman

    It is so hard to escape the noise of the world, particularly living 80 kms north of the United States. My solution is to ignore the news and drive out in the country. Yesterday I saw a Snowy Owl. Lovely.

    Reply
    1. Lisa Frost

      I completely agree about the noise being hard to escape, and nature is definitely my refuge too. So beautiful seeing a Snowing Owl. We have a type of owl called a Boobook (because of its call) around where we live. I’ve caught a glimpse of one a couple of times, but being nocturnal never got to see one properly, though we can often hear them. What a treat seeing a Snowy Owl!

      Reply
      1. Bernie

        Went out again this morning and saw a Great Grey Owl today- my first ever after many years of searching.

  4. TC

    Hi Liss, I think the meaning of life became more evident to me after I retired. I’m 68, my kids are grown and out on their own, and doing fine. My wife just retired so I can say, I think, that we both feel the meaning of life in a much more personal way. We are planning our first trip ever out west to see a few National Parks here in the U.S. And I’m certain life will have even more meaning on that trip! (Please visit my blog when you can and do you remember me telling you that I would compost an ambient guitar piece for you? Tell Danny, if you haven’t yet, that his music is gorgeous, and yes I know where to find it.)

    Reply
    1. Lisa Frost

      How wonderful that you and your wife will be heading out to some of your National Parks! When Danny retires we hope to be able to get over to the US to explore some of your National Parks for ourselves – you have some absolutely spectacular scenery, and so different to here. I hope you have a wonderful time! And yes, I sure remember you saying you would compose a song – I can’t wait to hear it! And Danny says thank you!

      Reply

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