Image via Wikipedia

You’ve probably opened this article thinking that you will finally figure out what the meaning of life is, the answer to that long lasting question. The question that has bugged you for years, that you still can’t find the answer to and have either given up trying to answer it or settled for 42. It was probably also curiosity that brought you here as you were wondering “Who does this guy think he is, telling me what the meaning of life is, when there obviously isn’t one?” or “How does this guy know what the meaning of life is?” You may have also been pondering over the fact that you would at last know if you “have succeeded in life.”

I can tell you what the meaning of life is and you can figure out if you have “succeeded at life”, you just may not like it. It may not be the answer and meaning you are looking for. 

The truth is, there is no one meaning for life that applies to everyone. The meaning of life is different for each and every one of us. As for “succeeding in life” everyone measures success differently and succeeding means different things to different people. I can’t tell you what the meaning of your life is or how you can be successful in it. I can only help you find that yourself. 

Everyone’s life has a different meaning so reach down deep inside yourself and think. Who are you? What are your passions and things you enjoy? What are your goals in life? What do you want to accomplish before you die? What do you want to be known for after you are dead? The answers to these questions are what make up the meaning of your life. Achieving those goals may mean that you have succeeded but the real way to figure out if you have had a successful life is if you feel successful. It’s as simple as that. In the eyes of others you may have not had a successful life but it is what you think that matters.  The converse is true as well, if others view you as being successful but you don’t think so, then you have not had a successful life. 

In sum, it is up to you to figure out the meaning of your life and if you feel you are successful then you had a successful life. That’s really all there is to it.