BLISS

I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT DRIVES PEOPLE TO PURSUE MEANING IN THEIR LIVES. IT SEEMS THAT THIS SEARCH IS OFTEN SPARKED BY HARDSHIP—A MOMENT OF DISRUPTION THAT FORCES A RECONSIDERATION OF ONE’S PRIORITIES AND PURPOSE. WHEN LIFE FEELS STABLE OR IDEAL, THE NEED TO QUESTION OR SEEK MEANING CAN FEEL IRRELEVANT, AS IF THE QUESTION ITSELF IS UNNECESSARY.

IT’S NOT UNLIKE SEEKING THERAPY—ONE DOESN’T TURN TO A THERAPIST WITHOUT FIRST RECOGNISING A PROBLEM. SIMILARLY, MEDICINE IS NOT ADMINISTERED WITHOUT AN AILMENT TO TREAT. IN THE SAME WAY, THE PURSUIT OF MEANING OFTEN REQUIRES AN IMPETUS, SOMETHING THAT DISRUPTS THE RHYTHM OF LIFE ENOUGH TO MAKE THE QUESTIONS UNAVOIDABLE.

PERHAPS THIS IS WHY MEANING AND STRUGGLE SEEM SO INEXTRICABLY LINKED. IT’S NOT THAT MEANING CANNOT BE PURSUED IN CONTENTMENT, BUT THAT CONTENTMENT SELDOM SPURS THE SAME DEPTH OF INQUIRY. IT IS THE PRESENCE OF A CHALLENGE—OF SOMETHING TO GRAPPLE WITH—THAT OPENS THE DOOR TO REFLECTION AND A SEARCH FOR CONNECTIONS BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE.