"A S  F A R  A S  W E  C A N  
D I S C E R N ,  T H E  
S O U L  P U R P O S E  O F
H U M A N  E X I S T E N C E
I S  T O  K I N D L E  A
L I G H T  O F  M E A N I N G
I N  T H E  D A R K N E S S
O F  B E I N G ."
Carl Jung

"I N  M Y  A R T  I  H A V E
T R I E D  T O  E X P L A I N
T O  M Y S E L F  L I F E  A N D  
I T S  M E A N I N G .  I  H A V E  
A L S O  T R I E D  T O  H E L P
O T H E R S  C L A R I F Y  T H E I R  
L I V E S ."
Edvard Munch

"W H A T  M A N  
A C T U A L L Y  N E E D S  I S  N O T  A
T E N S I O N L E S S  S T A T E ,
B U T  R A T H E R  T H E  
S T R I V I N G  A N D  
S T R U G G L I N G  F O R  S O M E  
G O A L  W O R T H Y  O F  H I M .
W H A T  H E  N E E D S  I S  N O T
T H E  D I S C H A R G E  O F  
T E N S I O N  A T  A N Y  C O S T ,
B U T  T H E  C A L L  O F  A
P O T E N T I A L  M E A N I N G
W A I T I N G  T O  B E
F U L F I L L E D  B Y  H I M ."
Viktor Frankl

Making meaning suggests to me those things I invest my time and energy in that enhance my life. These include teaching and learning, writing, visual art, my relationships with family and friends (particularly my relationship with my husband Gary and my grandchildren) and worthwhile pursuits such as helping others. Finding meaning seems to be an essential element in life.

Recently I have joined an e-mail discussion group about meaning. Eric Maisel moderates it. One topic that has captivated me is the consideration of meaning vs. meaning maintenance.

Making meaning involves engagement in activities that produce a sense of authenticity. I know when I am in an authentic process. Everything seems “right.” Life seems more valuable when I am engaged in meaning filled pursuits.

It has become easier to decide where and how to invest meaning as I have become more defined as a person. In the past I could be easily swayed by my desire to appear to be a good person. I exhausted myself with my automatic “yes.” Now I choose carefully knowing that I will miss out on some things and I believe I am more present for the things I select for meaning investment.

As I have matured I am better able to set boundaries and look after my own self-interests. I see myself as a separate and defined person who is able to make choices on her own behalf. If I actively choose to do something it will be meaningful.

We all have many options for meaning investment. There is anxiety in choosing. Some people deal with the anxiety with what I call Butterfly Syndrome. By that I mean never staying with anything, following each new butterfly that passes by. These folks flit from one interest to another.

Another way to deal with the anxiety of choosing is to become overwhelmed. I realized recently that I overwhelmed myself with the many choices of social justice causes. The result was that I chose none. In her recent book "On Becoming an Artist" Ellen J. Langer said you don't need to worry about making the right choice; you need to make the choice right. I think that is brilliant. I don't want to waste my time second-guessing myself.

Maintaining meaning suggests the hard work, commitment and dedication it takes to sustain my meaning making activities even when I am afraid or tired or bored. My daily routine helps me to sustain my meaning making commitments.

I think I am most successful in maintaining meaning in my primary relationship. Nurturing my relationship with Gary requires daily attention. We notice that if we spend some time each morning having coffee and reading by the fire, if we eat our meals together and we play cards (killer double solitaire) each morning, we feel connected throughout the day. If we fail to do these things we soon notice that we are feeling distant.

Inevitably things do get in the way of our daily routines. In those times I actively maintain and intention to return to my routines. Sometimes it takes more than good intentions. Sometimes I need to get focused on my commitment to the things that make my life meaningful. At times I need to invoke my will to get back on track. Daily routines plus intention, focus and will are essential to meaning maintenance for me.