People are looking all the time.
In fact, we as humans never stop looking. Some are looking for love. Some are looking for healing. Some are looking for peace. Some are looking for joy. Some are looking for their next thrill. Or their next high. Some are looking for their life partner. Some are looking for someone to simply care about them.
Remember the song by U2, “But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for?”
Listen to the song again, especially the words. The song captures our quest. The song talks about all the things that are experienced in life, but the looking still goes on.
There are patterns in what people are looking for, and how we are looking.
Some are looking for affirmation or recognition.
Ever wonder what the point of all this is?
You may be looking for life’s meaning, and you are not alone in this quest.
What about looking for something to believe in? A cause, a role model, a leader or a sign? Some are looking for understanding — understanding of themselves, people around them or the world around them.
Some are looking for fulfillment. If this is you, keep in mind that fulfillment often is seen in the rearview mirror. Fulfillment comes from living. Fulfillment comes from growth, thriving and doing the hard things.
Remember my grandma that I’ve written about and her favorite saying, “What cannot be cured must be endured.”
My grandma was telling me life is to be lived. If we endure through the hard times, we can look back and say, “I didn’t like it at the time, but this hardship taught me to be thankful for everything in life, not just the easy things.”
What are you looking for? That’s another important question. Have you found what you are looking for?
Indulge me for a minute, please. Do one thing just right now — I’ll never know if you do because you are merely reading a column. But if you are inclined, just pause, close your eyes and ask yourself the simple question.
What am I looking for? Not in the moment, because you could be hungry, tired or both. But what is the “me” deep inside looking for? Wait a moment for the answer to come. The answer may not come right away, but it will come. Let the answer just come to you. Don’t rush it.
What was the answer? It may surprise you.
Victor Frankl, A Holocaust survivor, and founder of Logotherapy (A school of thought centered around meaning) wrote in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, “Life under any circumstances never ceases to have meaning.”
Maybe you’ve never asked yourself the question, what am I looking for?
Maybe it’s time you do.
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Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare. He can be reached at drstride@icloud.com.
