It was just the other night that my husband and I sat down to watch a movie, Eat Prey Love in fact. Yes, it was one of those movies that is all about the ‘meaning of life’, appreciating the moments around and making a choice to live and be happy. Although classified to the larger part as a chick flick to my man, it actually raised an important question to us: what is the meaning of life?
He asked me, and I stopped to think. I responded by saying “the meaning of life is different to everyone. So your questions should be what is the meaning of life to you?” Of course, my kids are an important part of my life, my family and everything that encompasses that. I told him that it is the appreciation of the moments around me that give me meaning and happiness.
He then told me;
“We went to the coffee shop this morning and E was riding her bike. And just like that she stopped to notice a worm on the foot path. I stopped. We all stopped and we observed this worm that was randomly crawling across the footpath. Seeing the joy that a little worm can bring to a little girl and seeing the blossom of her soul light up to new discoveries and curiosity – that is the meaning of life.”
Maybe it is only a worm. But to her it is more and to us there is more. Curiosity flourishes each day at the most random and simple things while her exuberant energy teaches all of us to stop and observe those little details of life that just crawl across the footpath.
Each flower she picks out on our walks is carefully chosen and selected for either Nanna, Pappa, or Shoshi.
Each drawing is precisely created for someone special
Each gum nut is delicately chosen
All while she is teaching us and her baby brother.
And if each day these little souls teach us to slow down a little more and appreciate the happiness and beauty that constantly surrounds us, then the meaning of life is pretty good.
What does the meaning of life mean to you?
