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del.icio.usVOICES OF FAITH: WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER A MEANINGFUL LIFE?
In "Voices of Faith," religious leaders answer readers' questions.
CHANNELS TO GOD
The Rev. Pat Rush, pastor, Visitation Catholic Church, Kansas City, Mo.: We often expend our energies pursuing insignificant endeavors and self-serving dreams. In our better times, however, we expend our lives, hopes and emotions on something more ennobling. The more passionate we become about something greater than ourselves, the more meaningful is our life.
Beauty, truth and wisdom are all greater than ourselves. Attending a fine art exhibition, witnessing an outstanding performance of a masterpiece, reading great literature, understanding a scientific breakthrough, exploring a profound line of thought, observing the wonders of nature -- all of these experiences connect us with something beyond ourselves. They provide more meaning for us if we are somehow on the creative side of them, but they can certainly add meaning to our lives when we are merely on their consuming side.
Furthermore, our shared life with other people is greater than our life alone. We find meaning by giving ourselves in love to another person, community or significant cause. Making the sacrifices necessary for the greater good of another person or the common good of our society and world brings meaning to our lives. Learning to forgive the hurt and damage caused us by others within those shared lives and allowing ourselves likewise to be forgiven brings us great meaning still.
All of these are channels to God, who, as their source, is the true giver of meaning to our lives.
HAVE NO REGRETS
The Rev. Duke Tufty, pastor, Unity Temple on the Plaza, Kansas City, Mo.: As the minister at Unity Temple on the Plaza, I have on several occasions sat at the bedside of a person who is very close to dying. The most difficult transitions are when the dying person is looking back on his or her life in a regretful way.
They regret things they did; they regret things they didn't do; they regret not fully living their lives to their heart's desire. Each of us has the freedom to live our lives the way we choose as long as we don't violate the God-given rights of another person to do the same.
The first point of a meaningful life is to reach the end without regrets.
The second point of a meaningful life is to live in a way in which your presence is beneficial to the Earth and its inhabitants. It is a very comforting thought to know that somehow, someway, you make a positive difference. Your life counts for something good. You matter.
The third point of a meaningful life is to continually grow in knowledge, wisdom and conscious awareness.
Each of us has a vast, unlimited mental, emotional and spiritual potential, and nothing can bring the satisfaction, meaning and fulfillment that comes from the self becoming more than it has ever been before.
"Learn as if you live forever; live as if you'll die tomorrow!" (Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi)
