Have you ever asked yourself, “Is there more to life than this?” This week I took some time to ponder the meaning of life. Heavy stuff, right?
Welcome to the 54th edition of The Sunday Spark, a series with weekly thoughts and highlights, nuggets of learning, and a decluttering challenge for the week. In addition to thoughts on the meaning of life, this week I explore vodka in paper bottles, the benefits of puzzles, automotive start-stop systems, and decluttering blazers and suits.
On my mind this week: Searching for the meaning of life
“Is there more to life than this?” It’s a question that most people ask at some point in their life. The world constantly conditions us to never be satisfied and always search for more. It’s no wonder so many people end up dissatisfied with their lives and feeling like there something missing.
This week, I’ve been pondering the meaning of life for a few reasons.
Alpha – Is there more to life than this?
First, the Alpha program started at our church on Thursday. I did the program for the first time about 10 years ago. This time, I decided to get more involved—partly because I wanted to do Alpha again, but also because the program has helped many people around the world explore faith and life, and I wanted to be a part of that.
If you’re not familiar with Alpha, it’s an 11-week program that lets people explore Christianity and ask life’s big questions in a safe, inclusive environment. It’s designed for people who don’t go to church, but it attracts people from all walks of life—believers and non-believers alike. The program started in England has been running around the world for almost 50 years.
Anyway, back to the meaning of life. “Is there more to life than this?” is the theme for week 1 of Alpha. In the video, Nicky Gumbel the Anglican priest who developed the Alpha Course discussed his faith journey. He was not raised Christian and always had the impression that church was boring. He came to his faith after realizing he was never satisfied and was always searching for the next thing.
I think that feeling of something missing is a sentiment most people can relate to. Our small group had some interesting discussion following the video. We didn’t reach any conclusions but it’s always interesting to hear people’s stories and why they came to Alpha.
Live Life in Crescendo
The second reason I’ve been pondering the meaning of life is thanks to a book I’ve been reading. I shared last week that I was reading Live Life in Crescendo, the final book by 7 Habits of Highly Effective People author Stephen R. Covey. (Steven’s daughter, Cynthia Covey Haller, worked on the book with him and completed it after his death.)
The book is full of inspiring stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Something I wrote down while reading is “life is about contribution, not accumulation”. Covey suggested we write our own obituary—to think about what we want to be remembered for. This was on my mind this week as several of our choir members sang at the funeral of the grandmother of our former choir leader. Attending a funeral is always a reminder of what matters.
So, what do I want to be remembered for? What contribution do I want to make in my remaining years? Those are big questions!
In the end, I didn’t find any definitive answers on these big questions or the meaning of life this week. I’ve heard my friend Dr. Vicki Atkinson of Victoria Ponders use the term “swirl” many times on the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast. Swirl. That’s an accurate description of what’s going on in my head.
I look forward to continuing to explore life’s big questions in the remaining weeks of Alpha. And perhaps I can channel that swirl into something new after I retire at the end of June.
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Three highlights of the week
It’s important to celebrate big milestones and simple pleasures in life. Keeping the trend going, here are three highlights and simple pleasures of the week gone by:
- It has been nice to see the sunshine this week. I’ve been able to get out for a lunchtime walk most days.
- I met a lot of new people at the first week of Alpha. Our small group seemed to gel pretty quickly.
- Our daughter Laura arrived safely back in Canada yesterday from her trip to Australia.
Three things I learned this week
Life is all about learning. Here are three things I learned this week:
Absolut Vodka in paper bottles
Some encouraging news out of the U.K. this week. Absolut Vodka has announced a pilot project where they will package their vodka in paper bottles. This will reduce the carbon footprint of their product as paper is much lighter than glass. (Source: Happy Eco News)
If this works, I can think of so may other glass bottles and jars that could be replaced by paper.
Doing puzzles can increase your IQ
It’s logical that puzzles are good for your mind, but I was surprised to learn that doing puzzles can increase your IQ. Researchers from the University of Michigan, led by Dr. Susanne Jäggi, found that spending 25 minutes a day solving puzzles and riddles can raise your IQ by 4 points. (Source: Robby Robin’s Journey)
My daughter Colleen always has a puzzle on the go. Maybe I should join her!
Automotive start-stop systems
The rental car we drove during our vacation last summer was equipped with an automatic start-stop system that turns the engine off when idling. I had never driven a vehicle with that feature before, so it caught me by surprise the first time it shut off.
Over 10 years, the start-stop system can significantly reduce emissions while saving as much as $2,000 CDN ($1,500 USD) in fuel costs. (Source: Earth911)
This week’s decluttering challenge – Suits, Blazers, Cardigans
In 2024, I’ve been revisiting the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge I completed in 2021. This week’s task was career clothing—suits, blazers, and cardigans, and I’m happy to report I decluttered 3 items. You can find the details, along with my tips and learnings, in this week’s decluttering post.
If you’d like to join the challenge, visit this post to download your free checklists and jump right in with this week’s task.
I’d love to hear what you think about any of this week’s topics. Drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts and ideas.
42 (sorry, couldn’t resist when you title a post like that)
Your questions about the meaning of life and how you are approaching it are thought-provoking. The Covey quote reminds me of something from author David Brooks – eulogy virtues versus resume virtues. Glad Laura is home safely!
Thanks, Wynne! It does sound very similar. It’s always good to think of the legacy we’ll leave behind.
Stephen Covey is brilliant. One of my favorite TED Talks comes from educator Rita Pearson (since passed) where she talks about using some of Covey’s strategies. It’s seven minutes of brilliance and humor. Here it is in case you’re interested:
https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion?language=en
Thanks for sharing that, Pete. Like most people, I read “7 habits” when it was first published but it was so inspiring to hear how Covey lived his life. He really has left quite a legacy through his family and his work.
Oh, Michelle. The “Alpha” course is new to me. Thanks for the introduction. I love how all of this aligns so beautifully with the emergence of your next chapter, thinking about your own ‘crescendo’ and all that awaits. I know you’re doing wonderful things as you work on developing retirement resources for others. I have no doubt all of that focused, heartfelt attention about the big “R” word transition will help others with their own ‘swirl’. (And thanks for the shout-out. I still haven’t come up with another word that captures my circuitous inquiry better than that!) xo! 🥰
Thanks, Vicki. Every time I hear you say “swirl”, I think “Yes! That’s exactly what goes on in my head most days.” Enjoy your Sunday!
You, too — you, too! 🥰
🤗
There is a lot to ponder regarding purpose and meaning and life…all separately and together! I wonder if anyone ever finds a true answer, one that fits, or one that they like enough that they choose to keep it for themselves and stop searching? Perhaps simply being content enough as we age is the meaning of life for some-many? My life has been filled with good and bad and while I don’t expect to leave here too soon I think it will probably continue to follow that same pattern. The good with the bad, the ups and downs, the hope and the pessimism…one always seems to come with another. I think that’s what being human is all about really. Sort of a need to search until we can’t anymore or finally just accept that we will never have all the answers.
That’s an excellent thought, Deb. I don’t think there is a definitive answer. Our purpose and meaning will change as we go through different stages of life. It’s all part of the growth. That’s why I think it’s good to ponder these questions from time to time. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I doubt if paper bottles will catch on, but you never know!
I have asked myself that question about the meaning of life a lot, wondering have I made my mark, or contributed enough? Does my life’s work in the medical field serve as pleasing to God because I was helping people? What about when I was a volunteer? Now, I feel kind of guilty to just be retired and trying to enjoy our golden years. (are these our golden years when we are only in our early 60’s?) 🤣
Now I’m hoping that my Sunday Message posts serve as a service to mankind sort of thing that would also be pleasing to God. Other than being friendly and helpful to everyone I meet, I couldn’t think of another way to contribute. What do you think?
It’s a big question, Kim. See if you can find a copy of “Live Life in Crescendo” (I borrowed it from the library). It’s full of stories of people our age and older who continue to make a difference in the world. It doesn’t have to be big or time consuming, although some of the stories definitely are. Sometimes it’s simple things.
You raise an interesting point about guilt. I had a conversation with a friend who recently retired and she said “After working for so many years, I feel guilty not doing anything.”
I like the idea of your Sunday message posts. That’s what I’m hoping to achieve by volunteering with the Alpha program. I’m also looking to use my musical talent more. This afternoon, I’m singing at a prayer service for survivors and victims of sexual abuse. After I retire, maybe I can sing at funerals.
That would be a wonderful thing to do! I will try to find and read that book. Maybe in my Libby app through my home library?
It’s Steven Covey so the book is pretty widely distributed. You might find it there. If you enjoy podcasts, I first heard about the book when Cynthia Covey Haller was a guest on this one.
https://investordna.ca/2024/01/02/94-cynthia-covey-haller-living-life-in-crescendo-the-r-word-redefined/
Thank you!
Paper bottles sounds like a game changer! Glad you had some sunshine. We had too.
I know. Absolut is testing them at Tesco stores in Manchester. I’ll be curious to see how it works out. As I walked around the supermarket on Friday, I identified so many opportunities to replace glass with paper.