¶ … human? The meaning of humanity is difficult to grasp. It is complex and often layered. People do not think of humanity as being one of animals or being. It is often seen as a combination of the two. Humans bleed, have instincts, and mate. Human females carry babies within the wombs. This is how any normal mammal behaves. Yet, humans also think and perform conscious actions against their instincts.

Humans have, since 5,000 years ago, formed intricate and complex societies. They use games for recreation to relieve stress and promote bonding. They carry out detailed plans to build towns and cities. Humans even use religion in order to connect with each other and their perceived spiritual world.

There are many wonderful aspects of humanity that make them, us, more than just animals. So how does this apply to the meaning of being human? Perhaps the struggle between animal and being, the constant desire to be one or the other, or in some cases both, is where the meaning of being human lies. Humanity is a delicate balance of everything the conscious world has to offer.

In an article by Rochat (2006), he states:

We share 98% of our genetic make-up with chimpanzees, one of our closer primate rel phenotype. Aside from a larger brain, the control of erect posture, dexterous hands, or complex groups of facial muscles by which we express complex emotions, humans evolved unique ways to act and to solve problems. More importantly, as a species, we evolved unmatched ways to relate and deal with one another.

(Rochat 2006)

Socialization, appreciation, consideration, love, mourning, these active, long-term behaviors and feelings are unique to humans. Although animals have been seen to mourn and use tools, humans do it in a way that invites a group, the world. It is in this process that the meaning of humanity lies. Looking back at religion, it is a way for a large number of people to come together as one.

Religion plays a meaningful part in most people's lives. It teaches them morality and allows them to connect with others, sharing one common belief. It has existed in numerous forms and provided the backdrop for many a civilization. No other animal besides humans have used anything similar to religion in order to connect.

Animals other than humans, use their instincts, their natural talents and gifts to communicate with the world around them. Humans on the other hand, try to communicate with other humans continents over. They (We) have invented email, cars, airplanes, webcam, etc., all to communicate with people at any point in time. Communication, connection, socialization, this is what it means to be human.

Yes, humans are social creatures by nature. If one looks at the primates and the monkeys humans share a link to, they exist within groups, relying on each other to survive. Humans are similar, but they do it on a larger scale. The basic need to feel a part of something, coupled with the ability to transform this need into a tool, an effective means of learning, acquiring, and so forth is how people can not only find meaning in being humans, but show the meaning of being human. Human beings are an amazing and revolutionary species. Soon they (we) will go to space and explore what no other known living form has. Thanks to the need for communication, for connection.

What does it mean to live a life of meaning and purpose?

Several things can be said about living a life full of meaning and purpose. People the world over search for their so called destinies. But how do people live with meaning and purpose? Looking at Catholicism for instance, sin, the origin of humanity's demise, first began with Adam and Eve. Through Eve's bite of the apple, and Adam's subsequent bite thereafter, humans have been seen by Christian theologies as being intrinsically evil. However Catholics believe humans are intrinsically good because humans were created in the image of God. God is good, so therefore humans are good.

With all these kinds of ideas floating around of whether or not humans were born good or evil, it is no wonder people are lost. Many things can aid in helping a person find their path, their purpose in life. Purpose and meaning go hand in hand. One cannot live a life of purpose without it meaning something, just like one cannot lead a meaningful life without any purpose.

Doctors, nurses, teachers, they all serve a purpose, an important purpose within their...

Their identity encapsulates their purpose and provides for them an identity. This identity then helps them in receiving acceptance within society and helping others close to them or distant. When looking at what does it mean to live a life of purpose and meaning, it is important to understand where the need for purpose and meaning originate and how it can relate to the person and society.
A life of meaning and purpose translates to a useful life. A person with meaning and purpose can do so much more than a person who is lost. A good example is Mother Theresa. She led a life of meaning and purpose and helped thousands of people, and influenced millions more all over the world with her generosity and sacrifice.

So many examples of people with clear purpose and meaning show not only success, but remarkable perseverance and inspiration. In a study done by Reker, Peacock, and Wong, they share the observation and findings of people during their developmental stages:

Three hundred men and women at five developmental stages from young adulthood to the old-old completed measures of life attitudes and well-being. Significant age differences were found on five life attitude dimensions: life purpose (LP), death acceptance (DA), goal seeking (GS), future meaning (FM), and Existential Vacuum (EV). LP and DA increased with age; GS and FM decreased with age; EV showed a curvilinear relationship with age. Significant sex differences were found for life control (LC) and will to meaning (WM). Women viewed life as more under their control and expressed a stronger will to find meaning as compared with males. FM, LP, and LC were found to predict psychological and physical well-being; EV, GS, and DA predicted psychological and physical discomfort. Preliminary findings attest to the importance of various life attitudes in promoting health and wellness. (Reker, Peacock, and Wong 1986)

This study provides insight into not only how people react to life in some stages of development, but also their outlook. Leading a life full of meaning and purpose keeps people from feeling depressed and useless. In fact, many chronically depressed people often share their desire for direction in life. They state at times they feel lost, have no meaning in their lives, or no reason to live.

Looking at how religion might apply to the question, religion often enables people to let go of their past mistakes, their sins, and allows them to gain a new direction and serve a new purpose. Regardless of if that purpose helps humanity as a whole, it does sometimes help the individual. Many recovering addicts have used religion to find meaning and purpose.

What does it mean to understand and appreciate the natural world?

To understand the natural world one must see and be immersed in the natural world. People like Emerson and Thoreau, with special emphasis on Thoreau, took to nature in order to see how the world around them worked. They wrote about it, analyzed it, and thought about it to see how it functions and exists. Viewing the world from a personal perspective, observing the changes, influxes, and so forth, helps clarify why it is there and how it will continue to be there.

One thing about nature is the way it does things. It performs things in cycles. Leaves from most trees fall during the autumnal season once a year and they grow back during spring. The rain falls to the ground, evaporates, condenses, and goes back into the sky to form as rain again. Viewing the cycles of the natural world is viewing the purpose within it. If the sun does not repeat its daily cycle of rising and setting, the earth would be a harsh planet.

So many things happen in the natural world and it is important to take note to grasp what it all means. Just like reading the bible and learning a new skill, it takes time and patience to see all that nature has to offer. Things usually occur best in the natural world when one just waits. A good of example is that of the birds in the trees in the morning. At a random time they begin singing, chirping.

The birds do not chirp at a specific time each day, but they do chirp in the morning. Knowing that they will chirp regardless of the time, is having faith. Faith is a great way to help understand nature. Things happen because they can. Having faith that they will happen, eases the confusion of its purpose and its reason.

When someone understand the natural world, they also find meaning. Learning new,…