Beech Tree News Network

In Viktor Frankl’s book, MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING, Frankl says, “The meaning of your life is to help others find the meaning of theirs.”

At first glance, this quote seems counterproductive.  After all, doesn’t this mean your life will be subsequently used up while helping someone else find purpose?  Doesn’t your life count?

There is a fable that addresses this question.  It examines the life of a donkey and a horse.  There are several different versions.  The following is my favorite.

A farmer decides it’s time to take his product to market in a far-away town.

He loads his goods on a donkey and a horse.   As they travel, the donkey, who has the heaviest load, becomes weary and asks the horse to share some of his burden.  The horse refuses, telling the donkey it’s not my burden to bear.  As the miles begin to take their toll on the little donkey, he stumbles and falls.  The farmer is unable to get the donkey to his feet, so he unloads the animal and places his load onto the back of the horse, then he places the donkey on the horse’s back, as well.  The horse reflects on his predicament. “If only I had been willing to assist the donkey a little in his need, I should not now be bearing, together with his burden, himself as well” (fablesofaesop.com).

Bearing one another’s burdens is only part of the meaning Frankl wrote about.  A meaningful life involves giving, as well.  “Give and it shall be given unto you.”  That lesson is everywhere.  The trees share their fruits.  The fruits are eaten by the birds, who scatter their seeds.  The seeds produce more trees that produce more fruit.  Even in death, the tree still gives.  It becomes a home for burrowing animals, a fire for a cold family in winter.

Teaching what we have learned is a vital part of giving, a vital part of helping others find meaning.  I’ve learned so much from people who work the land, like Garey and his family.  The one thing I’ve noticed about those kinds of people is they have an incredible generosity.  I believe they learn this from the seeds themselves.  Have you ever taken into account the abundance in a seed pod.  One Crowder pea seed pod can hold up to 18 seeds, which is potentially 18 more plants.  Each plant produces dozens of seed pods.  One row of plants can feed a family all summer and yield enough extra to be preserved for use all winter, as well as extra for seed to plant next year.  Plants know not to hoard.  Hoarding would mean certain death to the continuation of their progeny.

If we were machines, Frankl’s statement would make no sense.  Machines wear out with use.  Our bodies are indeed machines that will wear out, but our other, the part that searches for meaning only grows stronger with use.  We move forward as those whom we help move forward.  This goes against every lesson our modern world has to teach.  It is, however, a human being’s most important lesson.

If you are a “Raiders of the Lost Ark” fan, you will remember the little boy in the “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” movie.  That little boy is now fifty-one-year-old Ke Huy Quan, from “Everything All At Once.”  He received a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his role.  When making his acceptance speech, he said, “I was raised to never forget where I came from and to always remember who gave me my first opportunity.  I’m so happy to see Steven Spielberg (director of the Indiana Jones movies) here tonight.  Steven, thank you” (entertainmentweekly.com).

We are not responsible for what others do with opportunities we make available to them, but we are responsible for providing those opportunities if they are within our reach to do so.  The meaning of my life is to help you find the meaning of yours.