meaning in life

3 things that bring meaning in life according to an author (who I don't remember the name of) mentioned by my buddy in the phone conversation we just had.

1. Achievement

2. Love

3. Suffering

I suspect that I tend to feel compelled towards the first one primarily. A radio show I listened to once said that the great feeling of meaning from achievement is fleeting. It's love and relationships that bring the ongoing meaning in life.

And then, what about suffering? Many, more qualified than me, could speak to this aspect!

Now, supposing that these 3 qualities exist in some sort of balance or tension to bring a holistic sense of meaning to life, is that balance/tension to exist in every individual or in society and community as a whole? In other words, do some spend the majority of their days in only one or two of these experiences while others experience different ones. Then, in community, life is brought more meaning by appreciating these 3 things not just in one's life, but in the lives of others as well.

I'm thinking that balance in community may be more like it. Some seem to experience repeated achievements. Some are content to live quiet loving lives predominately. And many spend huge amounts of their experience in suffering.

Maybe the challenge is simply to be aware and increasingly appreciative of ALL 3 of these aspects to meaning whenever and however they are found.