The Meaning of Life

If you read the last post, you saw that it was all about answering the question: “Who are you?” I’ve received several emails from readers saying this post really helped them clarify important priorities in life. So be sure to take a moment to read it first if you haven’t already.

Needless to say, after I published the post, I had the song “Who Are You” (by The Who) in my head for the remainder of the day…and week.

Then it got me to thinking that I should probably share with you what it reminded me of next.

Bill and I are both huge fans of The Who. It started a few years ago when we first saw the band live, and from the moment the rockers hit the stage—we were hooked. Since then, we’ve lived it up and seen nine shows in six states, always up close if not in the front row; we’ve hung out with the crew and made it backstage—I’d say that classifies us as official Wholigans!

A couple years ago the band had a contest where Read more »

“Who are you?”

I mean it, really. Pause here and think about what your answer would be…

Got it?

I routinely find my clients defining who they are based on what they do. When we’re coaching and I ask the million-dollar question, most often the answer is something like: “I’m a mom, a wife, a manager…” And I come back with, “Great, that’s what you do, but who are you…really?”

You are not your job. You are not what you do. Those are only pieces of the big-picture.

I know, I know–it can be a tough question to answer!

Trust me, I’ve been there. When Bill and I embarked on our professional coaching training over seven years ago, I’ll never forget our first class. There were about 20 of us, and our assignment was to get up out of our chairs and Read more »

Have you seen The Bucket List? I know that everything crosses my path exactly when it’s supposed to. Bill and I had seen the movie a couple years ago, and it magically ‘showed up’ again last night. So with pizza on our TV trays, we headed downstairs to relax on our puffy brown leather couch and let the movie sweep us away and inspire us.

Briefly, the movie follows two terminally ill men (Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman) on their around-the-world adventure with a wish list of things to do before they “kick the bucket.”

If you haven’t seen the movie, see it! And if you have seen it, see it again. It’s a movie that will take you out of the ‘details’ of your life—and whatever drama you may have created—and connect you with what’s most important to you and what matters.

I was incredibly touched by a part in the movie when the two are sitting in wonder, gazing at the Pyramids in Egypt. Morgan Freeman’s character talks about the ancient Egyptians and their belief about death. He goes on to explain the belief by saying that when Egyptian souls got to the entrance to heaven, the gods asked them two questions. Their answers determined whether Read more »

Have you ever been to Sedona, Arizona? After my first visit there, I vote that it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. Bill and I recently returned from a long weekend there with my cousins, our dear friends.

Before the trip, the four of us shared our intentions for vacation with each other. They mostly included exploring and adventuring, hanging together, laughing (which is always a given with us), freedom from schedules, and just “being.”

Sedona is known as one of the world’s spiritual centers—complete with healing retreats, alternative therapies, and metaphysical influences. Even knowing all that, the four of us still unanimously voted that our first stop after we landed in Phoenix would be—not a mud bath or a massage—but lunch at In-N-Out Burger! If you’ve had one of their burgers, you know what I’m talkin’ about! Bill mapped it all out ahead of time and found the perfect spot for our lunch that was between the airport and Sedona. We don’t have the luxury of In-N-Out in Minnesota; it’s all about priorities!

One of the things about Sedona that intrigued us was the four main vortex sites. Their Chamber of Commerce website describes these vortex areas as “enhanced energy locations that Read more »

There have been so many instances in my life when I recognize the sheer magnitude of my insignificance here on earth.

One reminder was last winter when I stood on the balcony of our cruise ship just after midnight, looking out at the expanse of darkness that went on forever and ever…and ever, with a blanket of stars illuminating the ocean whitecaps. Bill fell asleep inside the cabin while I stayed out on our private deck as long as I could keep my eyes open. I was simply mesmerized by the beauty and the vastness, contrasted with my little life that felt so small as our mammoth cruise ship bobbed along in the middle of the enormous sea.

That is the type of experience that immerses me into the bigger picture of life, pondering the ultimate question of why we are here. I don’t know that there is necessarily any magical or earth-shattering answer, but I do believe that it has something to do with being our best (which includes following your joy) and loving others.

The exact opposite of that feeling of insignificance happened on Labor Day, a couple years ago. It was a beautiful sunny holiday and all was quiet in our neighborhood. Bill and I were lounging inside on the couches with the windows open, talking about our lives and what we wanted from the upcoming year.

Our conversation was horrifyingly and abruptly invaded by Read more »