The Little Book on Meaning: Why We Crave It, How We Create It

Im not a fan of self help books, I might not even be qualified to judge them because I end of putting them down a few chapter in... I ended up picking up this book because it was on a low library bookshelf and my toddler was teething on it... I took it home (to hide any possible damage), and then opened it up when I had nothing else to read. What struck me, were some personal stories that sounded somewhat agonizing. The author wasn't born with a sunny disposition or a Mother Teresa set of values and love for all (contrary to the claim of one reviewer here) ... this author had actually been through something, and this book is as much a memoir as it is a self help book. I, so far, haven't been steadfast or brave enough to try some of the things mentioned. One story that struck a chord was how she used to be prone to depression, and to get herself out she started monitoring every negative thought, which left her exhausted at the end of the day. It was her main exertion and took everything she had. Thinking positive when youre prone towards the negative is not easy. How many of as have actually gone the course? not many. The saying goes: "those that can't do, teach". That is not the case here.

Welcome to the age of instant information. Life moves at the speed of light, and yet, at the end of the day, have we really accomplished so much more? Probably not. Our attention has been split into so many different directions that it's harder and harder for us to focus on what's really important. There is so much cultural "noise" to weed through. As an interfaith minister and life coach, author Laura Berman Fortgang frequently hears, "Let me understand my place. That will bring me peace." I think many of us can relate to this desire. We all want to believe that our lives and experiences have meaning, and yet our understanding of "it" is rather elusive. "So what is this mysterious thing calling Meaning?" In her newest book, The Little Book on Meaning: Why We Crave It, How We Create It, Fortgang writes, "It's something we humans all want . . . Meaning is something we feel more than something we do. Meaning is a state of consciousness. It comes tumbling forth from connection-to ourselves, each other, the earth, spirit, work, or even an inanimate object. A necklace is not meaningful in itself, but when we connect with the time, place, and person who gave it to us, it takes on a new specialness. It takes on meaning. It enters our consciousness as something precious we will take care with." Consciousness . . . connection. We crave it, but how do we create it? To help us, Fortgang has chaptered her book into a series of M words (M for Meaning, of course) - Mystery, Minister, Magnificence, Mind & Mystic. She takes us through these topics "in the hopes that they will serve as markers on your path as you continue to search for your own meaning." She succeeds brilliantly as she weaves personal stories through her teachings. At points where I thought the book may be getting too deep for my understanding, Fortgang would cite the perfect anecdote or example that would leave me with an "aha" moment or the feeling I'd been wrapped in a hug of awareness. If you are struggling with feeling lost in this crazy world of information overload, read Laura Berman Fortgang's The Little Book on Meaning. It will speak to you in a profound and deeply personal way. And perhaps, you will discover your own meaning and purpose. With Fortgang's help, it isn't difficult . . . "It is one of the great ironies that while our hunger for a 'meaningful' life can be enormous, these days more and more of our desire for meaning is ultimately satiated by smaller, quieter aspects of our lives. Meaning is where you look for it-and also how you look for it." ~ Laura Berman Fortgang

This poignant, reflective book delivers a buffet of thought-morsels with brillant insight and gentle humor. The heart of it all is distilled for me in this sentence on page 106 "The gratitude we feel for the safety of being seen is our path to meaning." As a business coach, a life-long learner, and a spiritual quester myself, I reveled in the thoughts and discussions reading this book generated. It has assisted me with subtle shifts in my own thinking and thus, in my relationships, both personal and business. Thank you Laura Berman Fortgang!

In the "Little Book on Meaning," Laura Berman Fortgang openly shares moments in her life - both short and long - of depression, fear and struggle, while living what others might see as a successful life filled with happiness and fulfillment. It's not that she doesn't have that life, too, but it's the "bite size" morsels of joy and meaning carved out of sometimes very challenging moments and events that have added depth, joy and meaning to her life. Massaging Olive's hands is one of those moments she shares where she could so easily have turned away from the voice yelling from the other side of the door, "Go away!" Once the door was timidly opened, the instinct to offer, instead of food, a manicure brought Olive out of bed to the table. For Laura the lesson learned is, "the sacrifice it takes to let others into your life just might be worth it," refering to herself, of course, as the one allowing Olive into her life. "Without pain," she tells us, "I would not have discovered I had a calling." So, from life coach to interfaith minister, we go on a reassuring journey watching her struggle, serve and search for meaning. While creating a fulfilling life, not a perfect life, she finds meaning in many small things. After you have read "The Little Book on Meaning" for yourself and recognized what you, too, have gained from struggles and events both large and small, then it is time to share the "Little Book of Meaning" with a client, a relative, or a friend. It is just the right kind of book for sharing.

'The Little Book on Meaning' is literally a little book but actually a huge quest on meaning. How do you put meaning in your life? Why and where do you find it? Profound questions that Laura Berman Fortgang answers in five words all beginning with M: Mystery, Minister, Magnificence, Mind, and Mystic. Fortgang elaborates on how knowing does not always provide meaning. She explains that one of the best ways to find meaning in our lives is to give of ourselves to others. She also opens our eyes to the beauty of the world around us and within ourselves. By shutting our mouths and meditating, she says, we create a blankness that becomes the core of our life meaning. And by opening our minds to a higher level of consciousness and interconnectedness, "the worldly self and the spiritual self work as one." Laura Fortgang's impact in this book comes from her personal experiences and challenges in life. She shares her bouts with depression and self-doubt, as well as her journey from darkness into light. Her insights into discovering meaning are drawn from her own transformations. She relates memorable and life-changing episodes that revealed special significance in her path from ordinary person to life coach to interfaith minister. 'The Little Book on Meaning' requires a slow and introspective read. It's not one that should be browsed or read in one sitting. Fortgang divulges her life's challenges, which we can easily relate to, but dovetails them with involved and pensive insights, which need to be deeply reflected on. Searching for meaning is a huge endeavor; this 'Little Book' is the best place to start. - Ruby Bayan, OurSimpleJoys.com