The Meaning Of Life

Introductory Quote: There is no meaning in life except the meaning man gives his life by the unfolding of his powers, by living productively…Only constant vigilance, activity, and effort can keep us from failing in the one task that matters – the full development of our powers within the limitations set by the laws of our existence – Erich Fromm (1900-1980).

The Meaning of Life

When I found myself searching, for my life's truthful meaning,
I did not realize that all that time I had been foolishly dreaming.
Looking for answers to help me find the purpose of my existence,
I searched all religions and philosophy, with restless persistence.

I traveled the world searching for answers from different cultures,
that only generated more questions which devoured me like vultures.
So many questions that did not help, in my search for an answer;
Only created more stress, more pain, and multiplied like cancer.

So I spent many days, back tracing my previous restless journey;
When unexpectedly, I was interrupted by a man named Bernie.
He was a mature man, seemed wise, and had the posture of a leader,
Carried multiple books, a pocket light, glasses, was a dedicated reader.

I made him aware of my ordeal and the purpose of my quest,
And he promised me an answer that would put my soul to rest.
While listening to his long interesting speech it only helped to entice,
Could it be that I have finally found the true meaning of my life.

He revealed to me a destination where I would finally find,
The answers to all my questions, and finally peace of mind.
As I prepared to board a plane, I thanked Bernie for his time.
Of all my travels this one experience was truly one of a kind.

Once I reached my destination I was surprised, infuriated and baffled,
Since I encountered a desolated place with a building and a scaffold.
I entered the place and called for someone as I was tired and confused,
When suddenly, I was cautiously approached by an old man semi bruised.

He stared at me from top to bottom and asked me to remove my shoes.
Then broke in laughter and loudly asked me, had you not had a clue?
As he continued laughing, making fun of my dirty broken socks,
He reached behind a counter and handed me a regularly looking box.

He asked me to leave my shoes behind and only the given box take,
And go climb a mountain located next to the closest shallow lake.
Only then he said, will you finally find the answers that you seek,
But do not dare to open this box and with curiosity take a peek.

After I reached the mountain, I felt anxious and very enthusiastic,
But deep inside me, I felt the climbing would be extraneous and drastic.
As expected, the climbing was not easy; it caused me much pain and sorrow,
In search for answers, I almost lost another chance to see tomorrow.

I thought of my children, my spouse, my friends and the family left behind,
How I wished to embrace them at that time, how could I have been so blind.
Curiosity took the best of me and I desperately finally gave in,
So I opened the box to surprisingly find, just a simple note within.

As I read the note I could not believe how foolishly I had been,
"Hold in this box all your precious memories, and postcards of your kin".
I thought about wornderful family memories and the evidence was rife,
I already held all the answers to help me find the one true meaning of life.