Sharing Some Musings on "the Meaning of Life and Choosing One's Path in Life" (Updated)

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow." n n *
THE MEANING OF LIFE ... AND CHOOSING ONE'S PATH IN LIFE

"When you can do the common things in life in an uncommon way,nyou will command tthe attention of the world."n- George Washington Carver (1864-1943)

"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty to be happy." n - Robert Louis Stevenson n
Introduction: In this article I am sharing some deep thoughts in nthe form of a "rather sane and thoughtful" extract from the first chapter of my very "wacky") manuscript STEPS TO SUCCESS, PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS, which was written "many many moons" ago...nearly in my writing "career". I hope that these "somewhat light-hearted" thoughts and quotations may be interesting, informative, enlightening, uplifting and perhaps even inspirational to you (as though having fun, they were to me when researching and writing these words encouraged me to embark on this unchartered path all those long years ago). n
The "secrets" by someone who thinks he has now found them - by "throwing a double six", at long last - after many, many years of "sliding down the razor blade of life". Also after having had many detours and come to numerous 'cul-de-sacs' (dead ends) along the long and windy road that is life. Up hill and down dale, no - rather up mountain and down valley - that is the story of my life.

'Steps to Success...' is written for the ordinary "bloke" or woman in the street...

"The longest jou
ey is the jou
ey inward, for he who has chosen nhis destiny has started upon his quest for the source of his nbeing." n- Dag Hammerskjold, Swedish or Danish politician and
United Nations Official, killed in an air accident many years ago.n n "You will become as great as your dominant aspiration...
If you cherish a vision, a lofty ideal in your heart, you will realise it." n- James Allen in 'As a Man Thinketh' (Allen has a number of wonderful quotations which you will come across in this work. I think/ "metinks" he was an American psychologist). n
"Destiny is not a matter of chance; It's a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for; It is a thing to be achieved." n- William Jennings Bryan n
I write this as I contemplate life after going for a long nsolitary walk along magnificent Makorori beach up the coast from
Gisbo
e on the East coast of New Zealand's North Island. The nstunning scenery never fails to inspire me in my writing. The beauty of New Zealand is great for writers (although there are no unique tax advantages, as in Ireland). No wonder that country produces so many renowned writers. Here are some of my thoughts, not that I'm one of those dreamy philosophical types, mind you (although I'm rather impractical, but I have a go at anything anyway). Too much of an 'ACTION MAN' perhaps - the reason why I get into so many 'scrapes' and 'hairy' situations! n
Your life is a precious gift, so make the most of it. Just being nalive to experience the joys of life is something so easy to take nfor granted. Think about this: In exchange for appreciating the nbeauty of living, ask yourself what contribution can you make to nthe world? How can you create meaning and purpose in whatever nlife hands you? n
"Every great and commanding movement in the arenas of the world nare the triumph of enthusiasm. To try and fail is at least to nlearn, to fail to try is to suffer the inestimable loss of what nmight have been." n- R.W. Emerson. (Emerson was a famous American nphilosopher who wrote a great many words of wisdom).

At least I tried to do it my way (not Frank Sinatra's) with ENTHUSIASM. Yes enthusiasm, together with the "other E's", energy and excitement, is the key. I think. That (enthusiasm) is probably my one saving grace that gets me through life! And also a positive attitude to keep bouncing back after being floored to the canvas (at least usually)... n *
The Meaning and Purpose of Life: n
There are eight aspects of life which are vital to maintain our nemotional health and ultimately allow us to survive life's trials nand tribulations. But they also allow us to experience to the nfullest the joys and beauty of life. The four basic elements, I nbelieve, are as follows: n
1.Your self image. This is vital!

2.Your inner strength or character.

3. Living with absolute INTEGRITY - just being totally yourself!

4.Your personal control or self discipline. Attitude and YOUR view of nreality.

5. The meaning of life... as you perceive it- that is having a sense of PURPOSE.
What motivates you, what presses your "hot buttons". What drives you? Ford, Chevrolet, Lincoln or Toyota?

6. This involves setting meaningful goals for your life and deriving satisfaction from moving toward these "stepping stones", your guideposts along the pathway of life...and take great pleasure from achieving your dominant goals! It is open to each individual to choose the goal and go after it - doing this develops the growth and human essence known as character (see point 2). What "desires of the soul" do you have?

7 ("lucky"). intelligence (also emotional)nnand finally... and most importantly...

8. Your faith or spiritual element in your life, ie. your nrelationship with a Supreme Being, a Higher Power, if you believe in one, that is. Success lies in the "Being" and "Becoming" all that you can possibly be and not necessarily in the "doing". It just takes decision (often big ones) and commitment.
Enjoying life (could be the meaning of it ) is found in a success consciousness, or our patterns of thinking.

We'll go into some more of this "heavy stuff" later.

A question to "kick off": Why do you work? What are your nlife-time goals? What do you stand for? What do you want your nchildren to tell their children about you? What do I want written non my tombstone after my death? A "nutter", "wise", giving, helping others, "an incorrigible encourager" ??? How do I fit into my family, my company, my profession, my community, my country, the world?... What is my purpose in life? What meaning does my life have? n n... and most importantly, WHO AM I (and this is not what you DO forna living, eg. plumber, nurse, doctor, writer, etc)?

No matter how small and insignificant you may think you are in nthe scheme of things, you can find some new meaning and purpose nin your life. What's your reason for being here on this planet?
Not just taking up space, or intaking oxygen, please!

You may be asking yourself this rather profound question nfor some time, nevertheless. It could be just nwaiting for you to exploit your hidden talents and to make your nlittle mark. You can make a difference to the world by putting nyour unique stamp - a little bit of you on it. I truly believe nevery one of us can do that, as every person has some unique gift to share with the world. n
Remember the man without purpose is like a ship without a rudder.
Norman Vincent Peale* said the following wise words: "Everyone ncan put to good use their own little bits of time, talent, ninfluence, ambition, energy and weave them into lives of beauty, nof goodness and rare value." ...and I wholeheartedly agree with nhim. n n* A Christian minister and author of 'The Power of Positive
Thinking' and numerous other books. A very good man and excellent writer. n
Life is a matter of CHOICES and DECISIONS.
Some years ago I decided to attempt to be a writer of "inspirational material" with an aim to help and encourage others. So...n n* Who and what do you really want to be?n n* If money were no object, what would I really love to do with my life?
Be a writer!
"You crazy fool. Get a proper job, man!"n *
YOUR VALUES: n
Your grand purpose in life will stem from your unique npersonality and your innermost values. This is what you really nbelieve are the foundations to your life - the deepest thoughts nof your innermost being. These are very personal and intimate: nthey are your hopes, beliefs, dreams and innermost thoughts about nlife. They will determine the patterns of your thoughts and nconsequently your actions. Your values clarify what you want in nyour life and how to create it. They will determine your life ngoals. In my previous "career" I had a great conflict of values nbetween making money through sales and my broader humanitarian ninstincts (now I'm doing both - funny the way life turns out. "Life is what happens in between making other plans!"). I ndefinitely don't like the corporate emphasis purely on monetary nprofit (ie. results and sales). On analysing and writing down my nvalues, I found a clear path ahead to put them into practice and nto achieve what I saw as my purpose in life. I also tried to tie nthem into my great interests (like sport)...and passions through my writings, particularly on South Africa, the "beloved country". In my present work I hope to be of help to others and this gives me great satisfaction. The 'hustle and bustle' and 'ego-tripping'/'empirebuilding' of the corporate world gave me minimal satisfaction; so I'm very pleased to be out of it. That is as long as I can still make a living doing it my way...
We'll see what happens!n *
A final thought (or two)...
Perhaps there is no ONE answer to the meaning of life. Perhaps , like the definition of success, it's a personal "thing" (perspective) and depends on individual outlooks to life.

Perhaps the meaning of life lies in challenging the human spirit (unquenchable and indominatable) in overcoming adversity, to TEST and expand it beyond our perceived horizons. Enrich the life spirit given you.

In your life will you have made YOUR spark glow more brightly?

Craig Lock ("Incorrigible Encourager/People-builder, Information and Inspiration distributor")

"For me true success may be measured by the fortitude, with which nso many ordinary people around the globe overcome numerous nseemingly insurmountable obstacles through sheer force of ncharacter and indominatable spirit. They rise above the severest nadversity down the often rocky jou
ey of life. Unheralded, yet with nan unquenchable and infinite generosity of human nspirit, these are lives of greatness and souls who are the true nheroes of this world."n- Craig Lock (13th August 2004)

"God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into the world with a different collection of life circumstances that often severely challenge us, things that give us joy and in expressing our talents allow us to bless the people, the world around us."n- craig

"Our Greatest Good is perhaps not to achieve wealth and share our material possessions, our money and 'riches' with others, but through encouragement and faith in other people, to lay the firm foundation of revealing the rich treasure that lies within themselves."n- craig

About the author:
In his life mission of studying the workings of the human mind, Craig hopes to help, encourage, motivate, uplift and perhaps even inspire people to be their best through realising their full potentials and have fun at the same time (without being too much of a "goody goody Mr Two shoes").nhttp://www.craiglockbooks.com

"Life is a daring adventure, or nothing." n - Helen Keller

"I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to nme. It is a sort of splendid torch which I've got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible nbefore handing it on to future generations." n- George Bernard Shaw

THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHEDn
Publishing Guidelines: We hope that the following article n(an extract from one of Craig's first manuscripts, STEPS TO SUCCESS, PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. If it helps others "out there" in any way, then we're happy. This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print. n