The Meaning of Life

I recently saw the movie I heart Huckabees I had heard good and bad things about the film and decided to check it out for myself. Overall it is a good film that raises many interesting and thought provoking questions. If you have not seen it this is the premise: Existentialism. A man hires these “existential detectives” (Dustin Hofman and Lily Tolman) to investigate a man that he “coincidentally” ran into three times, this sets off a serious of events leading to finding the meaning of life, figuring out purpose and connection, and how to solve the worlds problems. If you haven’t seen the film you may want to but, film watcher beware there are some explicit scenes and some severe bad language.

So existentialism! If you are not familiar with this concept this is a BRIEF overview of what it is: Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes our freedom to choose what to make of our circumstances. It revolves around a process of searching for the value and meaning in life. The view on human nature is that humans are in a constant state of transition, emerging, evolving and becoming. The focus is on self-awareness, freedom and responsibility, creating identity and establishing meaningful relationships with others, as well as searching for meaning and purpose. The concept also deals with anxiety as a condition in living and the awareness of death and nonbeing. (adapted from Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy notes).
Existentialism is the questions such as “who am I, and who do I want to be?” “Are humans and the events around us all connected?” “Are we alone in this universe, just floating atoms?’ and “does anything really matter?” I think it is human nature to ask and ponder these questions and I think it is healthy.

Here is my answers to these questions at present time (but if we take into account the philosophy of existentialism we will remember that Humans are never steadfast but constantly recreating themselves through new experiences and projects.) I do not believe that we are here on random, nor do I believe everything is random and meaningless. I believe that I am here for a purpose; to do God’s will. (Isn’t that a cliché answer and phrase?)

I think that God has a plan for me, however I do not think or believe that it is as specific as what I am eating for breakfast, or that he cares about which way I travel to work (although by random “coincidence” or the “divine hand of God” I have missed accidents that I have not know about by traveling a different way and by being earlier than usual.) I know for sure that I am meant to love and serve God with all my heart, soul and mind. And I know that I am to follow Him no matter what. Ultimately how I follow Him is up to me (at times I may be called to go or do something specifically, or I may be lead to independently choose). Through serving Him I am “transitioning, emerging, evolving and becoming.” He is my creator, my sculptor, my savior, my all.

I also do not believe that Humans are just randomly bumping into and against each other. Others are here for the same purpose I am; to serve God and to serve each other. As I look back I can point to people and tell you the specific reason they were in my life. I can name series of events in my life that have occurred for some reason that at the time I did not understand but now know the purpose the event(s) served and how it has effected me. I could go on and on about what it means to be human.

I know not everyone has the same viewpoint as me and if you actually got though this meandering I would love to hear you thoughts, comments and views on human nature and existential philosophy.