While we each may express it in our own unique style, and our individual paths will twist and turn in different directions along the way, I believe that we all share a common desire: To live a meaningful life.
There are uncountable multitudes of strategies we could employ, tasks we could set ourselves, and practices we could adopt, each of which would move us further along in our journey.
I’ve taken some time to explore several which, while I wish I could say I have already mastered, I’ll most likely be working on (perhaps even struggling with) for the rest of my life.
I share them with you, because I believe they’re worth the effort.
12 Most Effective Keys to Living a Meaningful Life
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Do unto others.
Live out the Golden Rule (which is surprisingly consistent in its message throughout many systems of belief); that is, treat others the way you would wish to be treated. Not just the ones you love, and not just by simply refraining from unpleasantness or indifference. Go out of your way to cherish them.
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Cultivate a spirit of gratitude.
Practice gratitude on a daily basis, even in areas where it seems difficult or even impossible to do so. One example that always comes back to me is from a friend who, when going through a particularly difficult time financially and struggling to pay her utility bills, still cultivated a spirit of gratitude by reminding herself what those bills represented – warmth, light, contact with the outside world – and being thankful for having access to those things. I’m not sure I could have done the same thing in her position, but it’s something I try to remember when I’m struggling to live in gratitude.
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Open your eyes and heart to beauty and wonder.
Look around you. Look up occasionally! Notice. Pay attention to the little things in your world that make you happy – the twinkling eyes of a loved one, the faint scent of spring in the air, a laugh heard from across the room. Don’t let anyone – including yourself – minimize the importance of small joys, but rather acknowledge and celebrate their presence in your life.
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Laugh!
Life isn’t ALL serious, so enjoy the ridiculous side of things! Watch a silly video, read a hilarious book, spend time with people who crack you up – whatever happens to tickle your funny bone. Find ways to giggle, chuckle, snicker, chortle, or (best of all!) laugh until your sides ache – every single day.
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Learn from your mistakes, but don’t waste time on regrets.
This is something that’s always been difficult for me, but I know that wallowing in regrets today only brings more regrets tomorrow… particularly if what you’re regretting is wasted time! As with so many things, it’s a balancing act we need to learn – allowing our mistakes to teach us without letting them weigh us down.
And, speaking of balance…
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Strive for balance.
I tend to be an “all or nothing” person in many ways – one of the worst being the attitude that if I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t do it at all. Yet in so many areas I have proven to myself time and again that I am more fulfilled and content when I strive for balance rather than living in extremes.
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Carpe Diem – Seize the Day.
Life is short and precious, and once our time is gone there’s no retrieving it… so let go of whatever fear may be holding you back (failure? success? judgment? ridicule?) and take steps to pursue your dreams. Today.
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Nurture and express your creativity.
You – yes, you! – are a creative individual. Avoid getting bogged down in comparisons with others and what you believe to be their superior abilities. Be gentle with yourself – you don’t have to be perfect or produce a masterpiece. Find, nurture, and take the time to express your creative voice (maybe even share it with others). And have fun with it!
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Share freely without expecting anything in return.
Every one of us has something to share – money, time, talents, love – and life is so much richer when we hold these gifts with open hands instead of clutching them tightly and keeping them to ourselves. And without any expectation of receiving something in return, hurt feelings and resentments may be kept at bay.
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Be the change you wish to see.
Be aware, get involved, show you care. Speak up for those who have no voice, stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed or cast aside. Use whatever power is within your reach – your words, your talents, your vote, your money, your time – to effect positive change in our world.
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Learn to listen, and listen to learn.
How many times do we hear what we think someone is saying, rather than what they are actually saying? Learning not just to hear, but to actively listen, improves communication and minimizes misunderstandings. And when we listen with an open mind, it’s amazing what we can learn!
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Now, to help me work on my practice of Number 11, I hand Number 12 over to you.
How do YOU practice living a meaningful life?
Please share!
(P.S. Want some more “12 Most…” posts? Visit the Write Tribe Linkup!)

Twitter: RileysSmileBlog
August 27, 2014
12. Appreciate yourself:-) I do need daily reminders to all of these, great list to keep on hand!
Stacie recently posted… Bilateral Hip Adductor and Iliopsoas Releases with Brace Application
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
That’s a good one, Stacie! Thank you. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: shilpaagarg
August 27, 2014
12. Take time to reflect on your life, your choices. Analyse and re-invent yourself.
Shilpa Garg recently posted… Book Review Private India
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Nice – that’s an important one! Thank you. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: gottgreen
August 27, 2014
Hi Laurel…you know I had to read your (any!) post that offers keys to living a meaningful life! And yes, I completely agree with every single one of them and do my best to remember them every day. Thanks for the reminders!~Kathy
Kathy recently posted… Pain Is InevitableâSuffering is A Choice
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
You’re welcome, Kathy!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: ar_anmolrawat
August 27, 2014
I loved reading this post. It’s sad how we forget these things while living our routine life. Thank you for reminding the readers of these values.
Anmol Rawat recently posted… Doctor Sleep (The Shining #2) – Review
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
You’re most welcome. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Love your keys, Laurel. I live by many of them.
What I found particularly interesting was what you say, “people want to live a MEANINGFUL Life.” I have always believed that the common desire is to be happy. Are they one and the same? Does happiness come from meaning, thus if you live a meaningful life you will be happy? OR: Does meaning come from happiness? In other words, if you are happy, there must be meaning in your life, and if not … well then are you truly happy? In other words, can you be happy without meaning?
HUGS <3
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Very interesting questions! I tend to lean more towards happiness coming from living a meaningful life, but perhaps both approaches are true to some extent. Food for thought!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: ALBannon
August 27, 2014
12. Get in touch with your senses, especially taste and touch. Most of us enjoy the scent of something good, like baking cookies, or beautiful music or a lovely scene. But very few people get excited about the soft feel of a cat’s fur, or a really good cotton shirt; or the insanely rich taste of a good Bolognese sauce, the rich, chewy creaminess of salt water taffy, stuff like that. That sort of thing makes travel and life so much more interesting.
Anne Louise Bannon recently posted… Basic Merlot with Marisa Taylor of Rutherford Hill
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Very good point! Thank you. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: systemsavvy
August 27, 2014
Love, love, love this list. My attempt at a #12. Be in the moment! Practice mindfullnes instead of multitasking.
Lisa Mallis recently posted… Only One Hour A Day Can Change Your Life
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Oh, I like that one – hard to do, but very worthwhile! Thank you. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
I found myself nodding in approval, as I was following these.
Myke Todd recently posted… Free Wally Peppers
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Thanks, Myke. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: coupowny
August 27, 2014
Thank you for sharing!
liz recently posted… Product Reviews #Silix
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
You’re welcome!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: Boomeresque
August 27, 2014
If you love someone, tell them. Often.
Suzanne Fluhr recently posted… My Boomer Baby: Meet Mr. Excitement
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Very, very good point. Thank you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: itsaboutpretty
August 27, 2014
Laurel, I love this post! You put down in writing how I try to live daily (I don’t always succeed, but I try). Thank you for sharing your #9 with me while we were standing in line, my Windsor friend!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
I so enjoyed our time chatting, Mary – what luck that we ended up in line together! Glad you liked the post. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Thank you Laurel for such an inspiring list.
My no. 12 is, do not react when some one criticizes you.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
You’re welcome! That’s a very good one – hard to do sometimes!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: ellytreehugger
August 27, 2014
A most excellent list Laurel. What came to mind immediately for #12 was Be open. Open to divine grace, intuition, Spirit (whatever you prefer to call it). As I find openness allows for curiosity and creativity, sometimes a most excellent combination! 😉 <3
elly stornebrink recently posted… Part 1: Aftermath of a Brilliant Comic’s Death: Funnyman Robin Williams
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Nice one, Elly! Thank you. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
My motto in life: what goes around comes around. It works every time.
Sharon Greenthal recently posted… On the Occasion of My 25th Wedding Anniversary
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Very true, Sharon. It’s a good way to think!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: kohleyedme
August 28, 2014
#12 Apologize when you should and let go of what you can’t change! 🙂 Loved your list, Laurel! I agree with everything you listed. Inspiring post.
Shalini recently posted… Carrot in Yogurt Sauce (Carrot Pachadi)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Thank you so much, Shalini – great additions to the list!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: beloome
August 28, 2014
Wow, what a list! Inspiring, really. You have really given us the key to a meaningful life. And you are so right, we will all be working on these and struggling with many of these throughout our lives. I suppose that’s why it is called “living” 🙂 It is a continuous journey of learning and growing. If I were to think of number 12, it would be – to find some time during the day to practice being quiet and silent. Not an easy one for me either to do. But it feels to me to be an important thing to practice for a meaningful and fulfilling life. Thanks Laurel for this wonderful post!
Beloo Mehra recently posted… Is it Really the Culture? (No to Generalization, Yes to Grounded-ness)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
I agree – it’s an ongoing journey. And I like your number 12… I’ve started doing that more and more lately. Thank you!
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: nabanita21
August 28, 2014
Enjoy what you have, don’t neglect the present would be the no# 12 I suggest 🙂
I love this list…only wish it were easy to follow these in the best way possible
nabanita recently posted… Like being #LikeAGirl
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
I wish it was too! But all we can do is our best. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
Twitter: luxganzon
August 28, 2014
12. Don’t sweat the small stuff. 🙂
Great list.
Lux recently posted… A Story In 25 Words: Only Wish
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 28, 2014
Good one! Thank you. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… My two cents’ worth on working from home
12. You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there is still going to be somebody who hates peaches. – Dita Von Teese.
Dita rocks.
Marika recently posted… Day 85 – 100 Happy Days
Twitter: alphabetsalad
August 31, 2014
So very true!
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