Choosing Significance Over Desperation: Living a Meaningful Life

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city, you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things. (Henry David Thoreau)

At least, that’s what you would conclude from listening to many people. Bleak conversations morphed into complaining sessions with the refrain, “Ain’t it awful.”

Facebook and Twitter posts revert to social murmur and group grumble.

And we continue each day watching, listening, and contributing to the disheartened spirit of life.

Few stand back and take the entire panorama of their lives.

Is your life that bad? While most would believe they need (or deserve) more money, a bigger house, or lavish vacations, are you that depressed and deprived?

A person who lives a desperate life is distinct from someone who lives a significant life.

What does a significant do that the desperate person does not do?

The apostle Paul languished between guards in a Roman prison. He was awaiting a trial on trumped-up charges. He had every reason to see the darkness rather than the sunshine.

Listen to his words,

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8)

He knew how to make life significant.

You make a significant life by living one.

Life is significant when:

You are more satisfied with what you have than you are dissatisfied with what you do not.

The joy of children is more important than the complaints of adults.

• You lay your head on the pillow, thinking, “I’ve done the best I can.”
• Your mind expands more than your waistline.
• Our spouses know we love them more than anything else.
• You cast plans in the context of eternity.
• You live with faith and not fate.
• Hope rather than dread rises with the morning sun.
• Doing good work doesn’t depend on having the ideal job.
• Excellence eclipses perfection.
• People fill your life rather than things filling your space.

You cannot choose your circumstances in life, but you can decide how you let events impact your life. Will you choose significance over desperation?