Adaptivism

A Life Worth Living

Adaptivism Pillar Two: The Fluidity of Meaning

To ask for the true meaning of life is to assume one exists. But life is not a fixed equation nor is it predictable. It is an open-ended process, shifting as we change, learn, and adapt. Meaning is often not a destination but a choice, one we make repeatedly, in small and large ways, throughout our existence.

No two lives are identical. The experiences that shape us—our upbringing, relationships, struggles, triumphs—are unique, making the meaning of life just as personal. Some find meaning in ambition; pushing limits, achieving greatness, leaving a legacy. Others find it in connection; the quiet moments of love, friendship, and shared experience. Some seek knowledge, driven by curiosity to explore the unknown, understand the complex, and chart new territory. Others create, leaving behind art, ideas, innovations, or movements that outlive them. And most find meaning with some combination of everything listed, among others. But even within one life, meaning is not fixed. What once fulfilled us may fade, and what once seemed meaningless may become essential.

Primary Dichotomy

Even if meaning changes, one thing remains constant: the pursuit of fulfillment. This is not a quest for endless happiness or a life free from struggle, but the pursuit of a life that feels worth living. One that aligns with our values, aspirations, and desires, even when happiness isn’t guaranteed. For most, this comes down to two fundamental human needs: belonging and purpose. We seek connection, a sense that we are part of something greater than ourselves, that we can love and be loved. And we seek personal fulfillment, a sense that our existence carries weight, that our actions matter. The challenge is that these needs often pull in opposite directions: pursuing personal ambition can isolate, while prioritizing connection will sacrifice individual goals.

Yet, fulfillment does not come from choosing one over the other, but from knowing when to shift. A life built entirely on ambition risks isolation. A life built solely on connection may lack personal growth. A life centered on reason may dismiss emotion. A life ruled by emotion may abandon reason. A life of endless play may lack depth. A life of relentless discipline may lack joy. The solution is not within a single choice, but in fluidity. The ability to recognize when to switch; when to reach and when to rest, when to build and when to belong, when to conquer and when to concede, when to play and when to pursue. There is no useful or practical single answer. That is why meaning is not something waiting to be found, but something we create repeatedly, in small and large ways, throughout our changing existence.

The Byproduct of Meaning

Faith—whether in religion, philosophy, humanity, or simply in oneself—shapes our perception. It is not just belief in the unseen, but a framework for how we interpret the world. It dictates what we value, what we reject, what we fear, and what we trust. It defines how we measure success, how we justify suffering, and how we find meaning in chaos. Similar to meaning, faith is not static: it can evolve, be questioned, be lost, and be rediscovered.

For those with religious faith, meaning is often tied to a higher order, to a purpose beyond individual existence. Life becomes more than just a fleeting moment between birth and death but part of something grander, something eternal. Faith provides comfort despite uncertainty, a sense of stability in an otherwise unpredictable world. It provides moral guidance, a method to navigate right and wrong when the answers are not always clear. And it provides hope that the future holds meaning beyond what can be seen, that suffering is not in vain, and that even in the darkest moments, there exists a greater purpose.

But faith does not have to be religious. It exists in the principles we hold, in the ideas we refuse to abandon, in the way we move forward even when logic tells us we shouldn’t. It is in the belief that hard work will pay off, even when the outcome is uncertain, and even when the struggle feels unmanageable. It is in the trust that love is worth the risk of heartbreak. It is in the conviction that justice matters, even in an unjust world. It is in the aspiration and acquisition of knowledge despite the impossibility of obtaining it all. It is in what we hold close, even when tested.

The Backbone of Reality

Faith shapes perception, and perception shapes reality.

A person who believes the world is inherently cruel will find evidence of cruelty everywhere, but they may also develop the resilience needed to survive harsh realities. A person who believes in the goodness of others will see kindness where others see indifference, but they may also risk being naive to deception or manipulation.

A person who believes failure is the end will be paralyzed by mistakes, yet they may also avoid reckless decisions with irreversible consequences. A person who believes failure is a lesson will turn setbacks into growth, but they may also mistake persistence for progress, refusing to recognize when it’s time to walk away.

A person who believes ambition and discipline can overpower all dissatisfaction may struggle to enjoy simple pleasures and occasionally let loose, but they will also have the drive and resilience to accomplish whatever they set their mind on. A person who claims to “be here for a good time and not a long time” may struggle to build a better life for themselves, but they will also enjoy life to the fullest when it matters most.

A person who fears change will see every shift as a loss, but that same caution may preserve stability in a chaotic world. A person who embraces change will see every shift as an opportunity, but in doing so, they may abandon what was worth holding onto.

A person who clings to certainty will struggle in an uncertain world, yet their conviction may provide structure and direction where others feel lost. A person who makes peace with uncertainty will find freedom in the unknown, but they may also drift without a clear sense of purpose.

Rarely is perspective inherently right or wrong, rather, it is a reflection of the world through a different lens of belief. The true distinction isn’t simply between what is right or wrong but grounded or expansive. Some perspectives foster resilience, while others provide caution. Some open new possibilities, while others preserve stability. Even the most seemingly limiting perspectives serve a function, whether as defense mechanisms, inherited worldviews, or temporary anchors in an uncertain world. The challenge is not to label them as right or wrong but to recognize when a perspective is helping us navigate life or if it is keeping us from moving forward, and having the wisdom and courage to shift accordingly.

The Ambiguity of Purpose

A life worth living is not built on fixed answers, but on the ability to adapt: to reshape meaning, to recalibrate purpose, and to question the beliefs that shape our reality. Meaning is not something we discover once, but something we create, abandon, and rediscover countless times. It is a process of choosing which parts of ourselves to hold steady and which to evolve. In the end, it is not the certainty of our answers, but the sincerity of our pursuit that makes life worth living.