‘Helping others has helped me find the meaning of life’

What is my life and who am I? Most Baby Boomers will know I ‘borrowed’ that phrase from a famous song by former Beatle, George Harrison. But I’m pretty sure at some time or another the question most of us will have asked is just that. What the heck I am here for? What am I actually doing? and for some people Why?

Of course, there are many religious and philosophical meanings but what do they actually mean?

An old Chinese saying is “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody”. My mum’s ‘2GB Happiness Club’ motto from the 1940s was “We are helped by helping others — if we give we always get”.

I’ve cheekily added a 2020 version to that saying … “Did you get my invoice?”

Seriously though, what really is the meaning of our lives? Some people strive to be the best at what they do. Sport, work, academia, music, parenthood, blogging or just being a ‘good neighbour’. According to the website Psychology Today “kinder people actually live longer, healthier lives”.

Over the years my wife and I have seen a pattern that, for better or worse (no pun intended) has seen us both helping people in some way or another. We’re not the only ones of course — most people do … but it’s all about the meaning of life.

Having lots of money, a fancy house, car and plenty of overseas holidays is great … for you. But if that (hopefully) hard-earned dollar is just for you, then what’s your real purpose in life? Who does it help?

No names here of course but I know a few people who are chronic philanthropists. They throw money into all kinds of worthy projects that help others … and they do it ‘quietly’. They just want to help the best way they know-how.

Yet I also know many people who are themselves ‘struggling’ in life with mortgages, marriages and sometimes mental issues etc. who still go out of their way to ‘help others’.

Why? Well for me it’s one of the best human traits we all have inside us. Helping others.

Whether it’s a shoulder to cry on, a cash loan, maybe a gift of something much needed (large or small) to help someone through a crisis. Maybe just saying “if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you”. That to me is the real meaning of life. To help each other. And the ‘return’? Feeling good you’ve done something positive to help someone else.

My life is not about me. Yes, I’m pretty happy with most of what I’ve done over the years, but in the end, if someone needs a helping hand, I’m in!

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