meaning of life

Does Everything Happen for a Reason?

April 26, 2021 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

In recent days, I have been with people in the middle of horrific losses. Inevitably, someone steps up and in an attempt to comfort, says, “Everything happens for a reason.”

That comment is rarely comforting in the painful moments.

But deeper than that, is it even true?

Many people default to this as a reaction to something that happens and is outside of our capacity to understand.

Sometimes, we want to think that there is something behind it — not just some random event. But what does that phrase mean? Does it mean that some force is trying to teach some lesson?

For many people, the answer is yes.

But does that make it so?

Does everything happen for a reason? Given all that is going on these days, this question seems particularly important.

Let’s chat. . .

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You are Built for Purpose

October 19, 2020 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

So many of us feel despair. It is not as much a loss of hope as loss of purpose. There is no hope without a sense of purpose. It is in your basic design.

Humans are meaning-makers. We find meaning in what happens (or doesn’t happen) around us and to us. We can find meaning in random numbers and events, in an attempt to make sense of the world.

But meaning, alone, is not enough. We also need a sense of purpose. We need to feel that we are moving toward something worthwhile… something significant.

You have a purpose. Whether you are moving toward it or not, it is within you. Waiting.

It is your purpose imprint. Finding it is not enough. But achieving it isn’t what marks success. It is in the movement toward your purpose.

In this week’s Thriveology Podcast, I discuss how we are primed for purpose, need a sense of purpose. And I cover what happens when you don’t have that purpose. And we discuss how to move toward that purpose.

RELATED RESOURCES
MPI Triad
Meaning Matters
Thrive Principles Book
All of My Books

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Why Chasing Happiness Chases Happiness Away

May 18, 2015 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Have you noticed all the books, articles, and stories about increasing your happiness?

Sounds great, doesn’t it?

I am certainly not opposed to happiness. I just think that chasing after happiness only chases happiness away.

Oh, sure, we may feel a few fleeting moments of happiness. Just enough to lure us into the next book or article.

But it doesn’t stay.

Happiness is elusive. At least when you chase after it.

It arrives, though, when you allow it to be the after-effect or side-effect of something else — something that will transform your life, and transform the world.

Seek a life of impact. Go for discovering your purpose. Find your meaning. Happiness will show up.

Learn why in this week’s Thriveology podcast.

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Your Uncomfortable “Comfort Zone”: #20 Thriveology Podcast

April 7, 2014 by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D. Leave a Comment

Last week, we began a new series on making an impact in the world. I revealed my belief that we are built to make an impact. I firmly believe that we are designed to make an impact. And yet, we often stay stuck, not making the kind of impact for which we are capable.

In this week’s show, we look at the 7 biggest excuses we use to NOT make an impact. All are based in our attempts to stay in our “comfort zone.” Yet, a comfort zone can be very uncomfortable. It is just the world we know. It can be uncomfortable, but feels safe.

Yet our truest self, our most centered part of our existence, our Spirit, calls us to a higher place. We can avoid that voice in many ways. But it keeps on calling us. It keeps on trying to pull us forward. We may pull back. But there is another option.

Where will YOU make an impact?

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