What is the Meaning of Life?

"The meaning of life is not to be discovered only after death in some hidden, mysterious realm; on the contrary, it can be found by eating the succulent fruit of the Tree of Life and by living in the here and now as fully and creatively as we can." - Paul Kurtz

"Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning." - Joseph Campbell

The question "What is the meaning of life?" is a tricky one, because it implies that life in itself has a meaning that is yours to discover during your journey on this earth. We humans like to ask "Why?" "Why am I here? Where am I going? What is my destiny, my purpose in life?"

Maybe you turn to faith and find comfort in the idea of living the best possible life, finding answers in the Bible or other religious book. Following a set of morals or ideals can give you the direction you crave for. When you have a problem, you turn to God, your refuge and strength. You believe in the power of prayer. To you God is not mysterious, He is there with you every day, a very present help in times of troubles or uncertainty. New Age philosophies may help too, but be careful of certain beliefs that can be damaging and lead to disappointment, like the idea that you can create anything with your thoughts. I won't say that it is not possible; but just because it is possible doesn't mean that it will necessarily happen. You can visualise a winning lotto ticket as much as you want, but in the end you might still not win your millions.

The meaning of life could reside in the act of living itself, breathing, walking, using all your senses, eating, sleeping, loving. You find purpose in every single action. It simply feels good to be alive and to be able to do what you're here to do. You enjoy fulfilling different roles, at work with your colleagues, at home with your family, friends and pets. This gives your life a purpose, to know that you're doing a good job and you're a good boss or employee, a good father, mother, husband, wife, brother or sister, friend and neighbour. You find fulfilment in your career, your home, your relationships and your hobbies. Your leisure time is important: finding a balance between work and play, unwinding and recharging your batteries. You want to be healthy and look after your body. You enjoy your holidays and are eager to explore new places, see fresh faces and taste exotic dishes.

In the end, your life's meaning is the meaning you decide to assign to it. Everyone is different, but most people want to be happy and fulfilled. Most people have goals they want to achieve. Some have very big goals, like being an Olympic champion. Some prefer to lose themselves in the arts, and find purpose in being creative. They write books, paint, dance, do pottery, play and compose music, design clothes, posters, gardens or websites. Some just dream to have the best possible home life, and look forward to opportunities like Christmas, when they can decorate their homes and cook delicious meals for the family. Their home is their castle, and they take pride in it.

To me life is all about learning. If I can learn something every day, I feel happy. In the end, happiness is the result of living a life that is meaningful to you. It might not be a life of glamour or luxury. It might not be the perfect life. But it is a good life, because ultimately you decide how you feel about it, and you decide to be grateful for this wonderful gift. Live consciously, in the present moment, and you will appreciate things even more. There is always another goal to achieve, but remember to take pleasure in the journey, one step at a time. The destination is not so important. Whether you reach it or not, it doesn't matter, but along the way, you can take time to smell the flowers, talk to people and admire the scenery.

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose" - Robert Byrne.

With all my love,

Bella





























Painting: 'Jacaranda Tree of Life' by Laura Milnor Iverson

Why Do We Gain Weight as We Get Older?

As you get older, your body changes. Your muscle mass decreases, you accumulate more fat, in particular around the waist. Your metabolism slows down, your heart and lungs are not as powerful as they used to be. You tend to lose flexibility, as your joints are worn and less lubricated. You've spent long hours sitting at a desk all these years, instead of walking, running and climbing. Your joints lock your limbs in certain positions, and your muscles shorten as you don't extend them, unless you practice yoga or do stretches every day. Can you remember how flexible you were as a kid? Everything seemed so easy, even doing the splits! It's a different story now...

Unfortunately, appetite doesn't decrease with age, on the contrary. You find more reasons to eat that have nothing to do with hunger or your body needing fuel. It's more about pleasure, like when you enjoy a nice meal at a restaurant. Or it could be stress, making you reach for chocolates, cookies and crisps. You look at your wedding photo and can't understand why you put on so much weight over the years. But don't despair: it's never too late. You can change your body and reverse the effects of ageing, but there is only one way to do it: exercise.

Exercise will increase your muscle mass and your flexibility. Ultimately, your metabolism will follow, as more muscle means more efficient fat burning. Your bones will also benefit from your efforts and become stronger, less prone to fractures. Your blood will circulation will improve, and your mental faculties including your memory are also likely to get better. Aerobic exercise stimulates your heart, blood vessels and increases your lung capacity. Your blood will be richer in oxygen, and all your inner organs will benefit from it, and work better. Your body will be able to process nutrients more effectively, as well as eliminate toxins. As a result, you will lose excess weight. Exercise stimulates the production of Endorphins in your body, a natural morphine-like substance that alleviates pain, anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that just three 20 minute exercise sessions a week may be as effective as taking antidepressants to lift your mood and increase your motivation.

The secret is to be patient. Don't think that radical change is going to happen within a few weeks or even a few months. Your body is the result of many years of neglect. During all this time, you didn't look after it properly. But there was a reason for it. Maybe you were to busy working or bringing up your children. Finally it's time to put your body first, and make your health your number one priority. As you get older, your health becomes your wealth. No matter how much money you've got, you won't be able to enjoy it if you're unfit, riddled with chronic diseases and unable to move around swiftly.

But don't make the mistake of doing too much too soon. Start with little changes, like a 20 minute walk every day, or a few stretches in the morning or evening. You can join a gym of course, if you can afford it and have time to go two or three times a week. But you can also find other opportunities to exercise, and there are plenty of ideas and videos on the internet. You can do yoga or Pilates in your own home, following Youtube videos. All you need is your living room carpet or a yoga mat, and some comfortable clothes. Even if you haven't exercised since high school, you can change and start your own programme now. You will feel so good after a while that you will never want to give up your routine any more!

With all my love and motivating thoughts,

Bella

Painting: 'Namaste Yoga Art Elephant'  (unknown artist)