The Meaning of Life with Dr. Bob

Part of the meaning of life is to come alive.

Let’s face it – you cannot be anything or anyone if you are “less than alive.” By less than alive I mean unconscious. By alive I mean conscious. Most people think that they and those around them are for the most part conscious. Usually that is far from the truth.
What do I mean by unconscious? Not being aware of what is happening in you or around you. I remember back in the 60s when the Civil Rights movement was in full swing. I was watching television with friends and the evening news came on. The reports showed riots and injuries in several places around the country. Most of those who were watching TV with me showed no reaction, I noticed. I gently asked to make sure of observation. They all indicated that this did not affect them. Their lives were not touched by what was happening. I inwardly shook my head; I could not conceive that they were missing the “times, they were a-changin’.” Here were events coming to them in living color that were literally going to change their lives and it was almost as if they were blind.

What do I mean by conscious? To be aware of what is going on around and inside of you. Then to respond appropriately. But one needs to be “alive” to be aware. In order to be aware, one needs to focus. “Focus” is a word we hear a lot these days. Baseball players need to focus on the game and not on family matters during game time. Politicians need to focus on getting things done well for the people they represent instead of having their eyes only on the next election. Fathers need to focus on their children when they are in their care instead of being concerned more with the next beer.

How do you focus? How to make “to be” better in your life? Take time to think about what it is you are doing and being. When you kid speaks to you, are you as fully present to that children as you can be? When you fellow worker asks you a question because he or she needs you help, stop long enough to be fully present. When your spouse expresses concern over a family issue, open yourself as completely as you can to him or her. Be present by stopping, thinking, opening.

These will bring you closer to “to be” and, therefore, the meaning of life.

I recommend The Barking Unicorn. It is an excellent and interesting blog.