There is not one meaning to life, there are many

In search of what fulfills us deeply

 I am a trainer, life coach, sports coach, writer, mother, friend... and more. For a long time, I wondered why my life seemed fragmented, why I was following several paths instead of just one. Unlike those who chart a clear course, my journey has been full of detours: journalism, communication, theology, philosophy, psychology, teaching, language training, couples coaching, soft skills...

However, there are common threads: communication, psychology, and transmission. My imperfect French and my multilingual life also reflect this diversity. I often envied those who knew early on what they wanted to become, like my friend Chris, who followed his passion for digital animation without hesitation.

But over time, I have learned to love this non-linear path. I have come to understand that I am not "too much" or "scattered": I am multifaceted. And today, I see this plurality as a source of richness.

Mel Abraham: We don't have a single purpose in life

In a podcast episode, financial management coach and mentor Mel Abraham challenged a widely held belief in the community: that everyone has a single purpose in life, a unique mission to discover and pursue. In his view, this vision is reductive. Mel explains that throughout our lives, we can have multiple meanings, multiple missions, which evolve according to our relationships and roles. In his career, he is a financial mentor, speaker, and best-selling author. In his private life, he is a husband and "dad" to his dogs. Each of these facets has a different and valuable meaning.

He acknowledges that some people may find a single great purpose in life, but insists that this is not a universal rule. The idea that there is only one path to happiness is a widespread illusion, but one that is increasingly being challenged.

Example Sarah: My multiple interests are a flaw

I remember a client I was coaching through a career change. She was distressed because she had several interests and couldn't choose a career or decide which one she preferred. Her first request was to find her ideal job (and rule out all the others).
As a result of our work, she defined her ideal career as a trainer, which allowed her to see and value all her diverse interests and skills and to integrate her multitude of interests.

Psychologist Schulz von Thun: The goal is to be alive and authentic at every moment

Psychologist and communication specialist Friedemann Schulz von Thun, a renowned author, also highlights the richness of diversity. His "inner team" model encourages us to recognize the different voices or parts within ourselves and to mobilize them according to the situation. We are like the leader of a team: at every moment, we choose which "players" to put in the foreground and which to leave in the background, in order to best respond to the context.

In his latest book, A Fulfilled Life (Erfülltes Leben in German), he recalls that in the 1960s, humanistic psychology (Rogers, Cohn, etc.) saw empathic listening and acceptance of others as the universal key to successful relationships. These skills remain essential, but they are no longer sufficient on their own. According to Schulz von Thun, our increasingly complex world requires different attitudes. Schulz von Thun says that today's world has become more sophisticated and complex. In management coaching, for some supervisors, listening and being empathetic can be beneficial, while for others, a different behavior or attitude would help strengthen the bond or position themselves in relation to managing their team.
He concludes that today it is more important to look at the complexity and the whole situation in order to deal with it in the most conscious and authentic way.

This is how we can act in a more conscious and authentic way.

If you would like to explore your own inner team and find the right approach to a difficult situation, I would be happy to support you. My expertise lies in valuing diversity and finding dynamic solutions.

Meaning is found where there is a challenge to be met

Another idea about the meaning of life comes from psychologist and shaman Jan Engels-Smith.

She says that the purpose of each person's life is found where it is hard, difficult, where we encounter blockages or obstacles. For example, when romantic relationships regularly break down or when professional problems persist.

This is precisely where there is potential for transformation, for a change in mindset and for the creation of a new belief.

This is where we can have enriching and relevant experiences that give us the in-depth knowledge we need to spread this subject throughout the world. For example, the man who had long struggled with issues related to his sexuality and intimate life. An approach to tantra yoga brought him clarity and relief, and his problems disappeared. Today, this man trains others to live a conscious and fulfilling sexuality.

The goal lies where joy is found

I would like to add another idea about purpose. For me, it is where joy resides and where I feel deeply at home and fulfilled by what I do and what I receive.

You can feel it deeply by listening to your intuition and sensing whether or not this place is right for you.

It can be found where things are light, easy, fun, and enjoyable, and it can be associated with play, dance, laughter, and well-being.

If these signs appear, I know I am on the right track, on the path that leads me to a fulfilling life.

For example: in my professional life, I know that part of my mission is to lead highly empathetic and joyful training sessions on any subject, where there is , joy, and fun, interactive training activities, and where people enjoy learning together. That's when I know I'm in the right place.

In my family, I also feel good and happy when we play and laugh in the evening, when we create and paint together, or when we simply share stories about our day.