God, a mission, or family—these are the things that give humans purpose. And even if one rejects the idea of God, meaning can still be found in other ways. Ultimately, it’s a psychological effect that helps humans find purpose, a sense of hope, and endure suffering.
Carl Jung wrote in Man and His Symbols: “There is, however, a strong empirical reason why we should cultivate thoughts that can never be proved. It is that they are known to be useful. Man positively needs general ideas and convictions that will give a meaning to his life and enable him to find a place for himself in the universe. He can stand the most incredible hardships when he is convinced that they make sense; he is crushed when, on top of all his misfortunes, he has to admit that he is taking part in a 'tale told by an idiot.'"
Consider Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor. Frankl survived the horrors of the concentration camps not just by enduring physical hardship, but by holding onto a deep sense of meaning. He often reminded himself of his love for his wife and the hope that they would be reunited. This sense of love and connection gave him a reason to endure unimaginable suffering. Frankl later wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning that the primary drive in human beings is not pleasure, as Freud suggested, but the search for meaning. Even in the direst circumstances, we can find purpose through love, faith, and our convictions.
Frankl's survival was a testament to the power of meaning. It’s not just about surviving hardship; it’s about finding a reason to keep going, even when everything around you seems bleak. Whether it’s through faith in God, a mission, or family, the meaning we derive from these sources is what gives us the strength to endure suffering and live with hope.
Take Elon Musk, for example. His mission to preserve human civilization drives him to work tirelessly, knowing that his efforts could secure a better future for humanity. Musk’s purpose gives him the strength to wake up every day and keep pushing forward, even when the challenges seem insurmountable. Like Frankl, Musk’s deep sense of purpose allows him to endure hardships in pursuit of something greater than himself.
As Richard Feynman once said: "Fall in love with some activity, and do it! Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn't matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough. Work as hard and as much as you want to on the things you like to do the best. Don't think about what you want to be, but what you want to do."
And life wouldn't be this amazing & beautiful if there was a defined meaning. Our time is short; we need to create our own—and everyone can create their own. That’s the beauty of life.