How to find meaning in life

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livingonempty

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I feel like I’m just existing, living from one moment to the next, with no purpose in life. I wake up, go to work, come back home, sleep, and the cycle continues. There doesn’t seem to be an overriding reason for me to be in this world and I don’t want to just be on “survival mode”. How do I find purpose and meaning to my life? Spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament begging the Lord to show me but so far there’s just silence. I’ve tried different hobbies, joined church ministries, volunteered at charities, but nothing removes this feeling that I’m just drifting through life. I even considered joining a convent because I thought at least that would give me some purpose but it didn’t work out either. There just doesn’t seem to be anything worthwhile to live for… I know there’s God but sometimes I pray for Him to take me home to Heaven where I can be happy with Him rather than to live this painfully meaningless existence here on earth. Am I alone on this or does anyone feel the same? :confused:
 
I agree with the the comments in post #2.

Regarding how to find meaning in life: This is a deep question and you will probably get a variety of answers. I think meaning is found not so much in activities but in relationships and connectedness. I think meaning in life is about whether we have made a difference in a way that is important to us; for example if we are passionate about a cause and our work in that endeavor effects a change. I think meaning is also about whether we are important in the lives of other people, particularly in the lives of people who are important to us.
 
livingonempty said:
I feel like I’m just existing, living from one moment to the next, with no purpose in life. I wake up, go to work, come back home, sleep, and the cycle continues. There doesn’t seem to be an overriding reason for me to be in this world and I don’t want to just be on “survival mode”. How do I find purpose and meaning to my life? Spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament begging the Lord to show me but so far there’s just silence. I’ve tried different hobbies, joined church ministries, volunteered at charities, but nothing removes this feeling that I’m just drifting through life. I even considered joining a convent because I thought at least that would give me some purpose but it didn’t work out either. There just doesn’t seem to be anything worthwhile to live for… I know there’s God but sometimes I pray for Him to take me home to Heaven where I can be happy with Him rather than to live this painfully meaningless existence here on earth. Am I alone on this or does anyone feel the same? :confused:
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I do feel the same. I am on a secular survival mode, as my faith is still strong. But I am not well, about to lose the roof over my head, alone and feeling so terribly isolated from caring people; I am jobless and penniless, surviving barely with the people who are soon kicking me out. (They disrespect my faith, too.) I don’t quite hear silence because He is keeping me going for a reason, however temporarily, and All Shall Be Well, one day, but when is one day? And I can’t help but wonder how, for what purpose. I am not one to ask Why things happen, but I am definitely one to ask, "What do You want me to do? I am otherwise useless to You! Not that You need me, but I need to do something for You! For Your other children. I keep praying one particular line from Psalms 5: “Show me clearly how you want me to live.” My own addendum: “Feel free to hit me over the head with this, but gently.I already have headaches.” (It’s the headaches that sometimes have me praying for Him to take me. But, apparently He has other plans. I just cannot help but wonder what they are.)
I wouldn’t know what positive thing to say to you. Except that He is listening and this a wonderful place to receive wonderful guidance. Keep praying as I will for you and all those in this same place.
 
That is a very deep existential pain, I am sorry to hear of it. It’s a terrible thing to go through. If you go through this in a spirit of prayer- or at least wanting to be able to pray- than I believe you will come out on the other side (maybe long time, maybe short) with a new wisdom and a tender heart that you would not trade in for anything. Let God use this awful suffering to grow and prune you into the beautiful person He loves so much. There is maybe, something big He is asking you for, later. There is hope to find meaning in your life. The other posters gave you wise advice. It may feel like it will be like this forever, right now, but- with the proper helps and making the right connection points, you can come out feeling good about your life. Here is a link that may help? catholictherapists.com/But you must seek, in order to find the joy in your purpose- without seeking- you are not likely to find. So seek! God is calling you right now to become a seeker, and if He answers to quickly, you will not have chance to learn the lesson He wants to teach, for your good, because He loves you- like you are His only child, His favored child. He has promised us that “those who seek, shall find” Matthew 7:7- and He is faithful to His promises- just not maybe on our timeline:o

:console:

Sing, perhaps, if you possibly can- the psalms. Just a simple chant tone. If you do consistently for long period of time, say, once a week for a year, maybe? Or more often? It will surely help. Especially if you sing it.
 
Mary_Poppins said:
There is maybe, something big He is asking you for, later. There is hope to find meaning in your life. …with the proper helps and making the right connection points, you can come out feeling good about your life. …God is calling you right now to become a seeker, and if He answers too quickly, you will not have chance to learn the lesson He wants to teach, for your good, because He loves you- like you are His only child, His favored child. He has promised us that “those who seek, shall find” Matthew 7:7- and He is faithful to His promises- just not maybe on our timeline.
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I always did like you, Mary Poppins. I think this is why I have become drawn to Julian of Norwich, St John of the Cross and other mystics.And yes, it is so difficult to have patience through this. Yet Someone hints at something big to come. What, I do not know. I pray that I may endue meanwhile. That’s another tough one for me…
 
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Mary_Poppins:
I understand your response was to livingonempty, but I had to state how accurate you are. Thank you.
 
And I like your name- it makes me smile somehow.

I was hoping when I read your response to Living on empty, that you would take my response as meant for you, too. It is so difficult to endure through that emptiness, but with prayer it can be turned to such an amazing good, a way out of sin, really. Christ is so close to you in that pain, that is why you can’t feel Him or see Him or sense Him- because He is in it right there with you…“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” you could pray such a prayer, both you and Living on Empty- from the very heart of Christ.
 
Mary_Poppins said:
And I like your name- it makes me smile somehow.

I was hoping when I read your response to Living on empty, that you would take my response as meant for you, too. It is so difficult to endure through that emptiness, but with prayer it can be turned to such an amazing good, a way out of sin, really. Christ is so close to you in that pain, that is why you can’t feel Him or see Him or sense Him- because He is in it right there with you…“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” you could pray such a prayer, both you and Living on Empty- from the very heart of Christ.
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Bless you. You have no idea what tonight has been for me. I really appreciate this.
Thank you.
 
I love cheesy puffs… All kinds, almost all brands. They are my only comfort food. I ate a whole bag yesterday…
 
livingonempty said:
I feel like I’m just existing, living from one moment to the next, with no purpose in life. I wake up, go to work, come back home, sleep, and the cycle continues. There doesn’t seem to be an overriding reason for me to be in this world and I don’t want to just be on “survival mode”. How do I find purpose and meaning to my life? Spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament begging the Lord to show me but so far there’s just silence. I’ve tried different hobbies, joined church ministries, volunteered at charities, but nothing removes this feeling that I’m just drifting through life. I even considered joining a convent because I thought at least that would give me some purpose but it didn’t work out either. There just doesn’t seem to be anything worthwhile to live for… I know there’s God but sometimes I pray for Him to take me home to Heaven where I can be happy with Him rather than to live this painfully meaningless existence here on earth. Am I alone on this or does anyone feel the same? :confused:
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For more than 20 years I have been feeling the same as you a lot.
It was summed up well in a ‘Cathy’ cartoon a long time ago. She stated that when she was young she was waiting to graduate from Grade 8. Then waiting to graduate from high school. Then she graduated from college/university. Now she had nothing left to graduate from. I could relate to her.

I know that God has put each one of us here for a reason. When you find mine please PM me. :rolleyes:
Thanks.

Reg.

P.S. Maybe we should start a prayer thread for you or many of us.
 
livingonempty said:
I feel like I’m just existing, living from one moment to the next, with no purpose in life. I wake up, go to work, come back home, sleep, and the cycle continues. There doesn’t seem to be an overriding reason for me to be in this world and I don’t want to just be on “survival mode”. How do I find purpose and meaning to my life? Spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament begging the Lord to show me but so far there’s just silence. I’ve tried different hobbies, joined church ministries, volunteered at charities, but nothing removes this feeling that I’m just drifting through life. I even considered joining a convent because I thought at least that would give me some purpose but it didn’t work out either. There just doesn’t seem to be anything worthwhile to live for… I know there’s God but sometimes I pray for Him to take me home to Heaven where I can be happy with Him rather than to live this painfully meaningless existence here on earth. Am I alone on this or does anyone feel the same? :confused:
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Consider the possibility that you might be depressed, and you might benefit from some counseling.

Also, I recommend giving serious thought to the most meaningful way you can find to help others in need, and then devote as much of your time and energy as possible and feasible to that end. If you throw yourself head first into service, you can hardly avoid:
  1. Finding some joy
  2. Finding new friends
  3. Gain some perspective on your life.
FWIW.

God Bless - do not despair. Your life definitely has a purpose. You just need to keep fighting to find it.
 
The only meaning is in God, if you find God you found enough meaning.
 
cheezey said:
I love cheesy puffs… All kinds, almost all brands. They are my only comfort food. I ate a whole bag yesterday…
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😃 Ah-HA!! Cheezey Poofs!!..I had a feeling that was why! :D:D Cheezy Poofs are our friend.:sad_yes: Let’s send some to Living on Empty. I firmly believe that when God is kind of hiding, Cheezey Poofs can fill the hole! (Did you know, that the name brand ones are filled with folic acid?) :D:

When I was in a state of near-despair, my beloved spiritual director made me eat eclairs, however. And he, a very strict Jesuit! (not of the modern variety):cool:
 
Living on Empty, I hope our posts do not sound flip- mine was meant to cheer, not to dismiss your pain! Thank you for sharing so vulnerably with us- that in itself, is a real gift that may help many souls you may never even know of. Your caring love shines right through your post- though you may not think so- we can see it and feel it out here!
 
Mary_Poppins said:
😃 Ah-HA!! Cheezey Poofs!!..I had a feeling that was why! :D:D Cheezy Poofs are our friend.:sad_yes: Let’s send some to Living on Empty. I firmly believe that when God is kind of hiding, Cheezey Poofs can fill the hole! (Did you know, that the name brand ones are filled with folic acid?) :D:

When I was in a state of near-despair, my beloved spiritual director made me eat eclairs, however. And he, a very strict Jesuit! (not of the modern variety):cool:
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And while dealing with anxiety and insomnia, my doctor recommended 2, not 3 (too many) small cookies before bedtime. A little bit o’ carbs for sleep. But not too much.
Perhaps, livingonempty, if your pain affects your sleep, try this. Believe me, on some level, I feel what you are going through. Been there, am there. I do not mean this lightly.

Blessings to both.
 
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livingonempty:
I have had help just by being here on this site. Honestly. Whether I have the words to express myself well, or not, I am pleased that people hear what I am saying; from the important to the silly cheesy puffs; from the overwhelming things, to the tiny things. Make as many connections as you can, almost wherever you can. We all need that, especially you and me, and others in this and other types of ‘dark night’ pain. (Today I got Christmas singers, who assembled almost impetuously, to sing the Everly Brothers for me. THAT put a smile on my face for a few, and a few helps.) And, yes: I love music from the 50’s…

Blessings
 
hey friend you can find meaning in everyday life by eveyr single interaction or thing that you do, maybe sign up for some activities and appreciate the good company of people (mak sure you find good company though), and attend church regularly, i find it helps tremendously, today i sat beside a bunch of woman that were around my age and i too was feeling alone drifing one day to the next you just have to accept there are good people out there… also read and pray various catholic books… and lastly, i like to excercise alot it gives me goals and I enjoy seeing the same faces at the gym everyday, even if it just a 5-10 minute chit chat in the steam room with random people, what im saying is get out there! cheers
 
pwlj_christ87 said:
hey friend you can find meaning in everyday life by eveyr single interaction or thing that you do, maybe sign up for some activities and appreciate the good company of people (mak sure you find good company though), and attend church regularly, i find it helps tremendously, **today i sat beside a bunch of woman that were around my age and i too was feeling alone **drifing one day to the next you just have to accept there are good people out there… also read and pray various catholic books… and lastly, i like to excercise alot it gives me goals and I enjoy seeing the same faces at the gym everyday, even if it just a 5-10 minute chit chat in the steam room with random people, what im saying is get out there! cheers
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today i sat beside a bunch of skaters as well as people my age; i too was feeling alone.
and I do not skate at all…
 
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