The truest meaning of life – the big, great question most philosophers, theologians, and (now) scientists claim the answer to. The mystery that reveals itself through the magic of a question such as this shall in no way find a home in my writings, but I do wish to momentarily reflect on its power. What is it that creates the assumption there is only one answer? What if there are many? Human nature craves and begs for simplicity and there is always an outcry against unsolvable enigmas. But what is at stake in asking or answering the question? Everything? Nothing? Why would we want an answer to such a fantastic question as this? If little else, history has taught us to be wary of misguided totalitarian dogmatism disguised as “wisdom,” mainly because of the relativistic and unidentifiable nature of the solid ground stood upon by those who claim absolutism. How each of us responds to the great question determines the path we take in life, the detours we make, and the speed with which we react to consequences of our previous choosing. Remember, regardless of influences, you alone are responsible for how your life turns out. Might we do well to avoid hasty generalizations here? As with any endeavor, we should at least commonly agree to control and patrol the boundaries that outline our path as well as enthusiastically recognize clues along the way that encourage further exploration. We are inquisitive little creatures in the cosmos. Why is that? Could it be the result of design? Surely. God's little bread-crumb trail is delicious, and it should always lead back to Him if we're living right. Furthermore, is our ultimate aspiration found in the hero or in the saint? Or both?? The meaningful life-quest of a hero rests with strength and honor, for the saint it is unconditional love. We respectfully look to heroes for inspiration, and to saints with humble gratitude; asking help from both. How we approach life ultimately boils down to whether we live unto the self or unto the interest of the other person. But do we not find that a great paradox exists here? If we live unto others, we find self satisfaction along the way. And since we all know that which gets rewarded gets repeated, maybe this is one clue along the path we should declare as universally valuable. If our thought posturing is limited to the inescapable human struggle with non-personal forces of necessity and fate with an indifference to human hopes and fears, do we forfeit some greater value? Or what if our reality is restricted to the mutual exchange of promises between The Divine and man, creating a bond of unconditional trust and love... what then? If death is the inseparable companion to life, and its unwelcome arrival awaits all travelers, we owe it to ourselves to more closely examine our itineraries. Every decision turns the steering wheel of our lives in a certain direction along that path. Pay closer attention to the small things, for they largely go unnoticed, and have greater impact than we now realize. It only takes one bad decision to ruin much of our lives. The novel mutations of the heritable hybrid of hopes found in the modern “secular saint” falls far short of our ultimate ideal, and we all secretively admit this. If we know the ultimate destination, should we begin with the end in mind? If so, what will you do today that really matters in the long haul? Will you live for yourself or for others? Does it matter? Why yes, we find, it matters. A great deal. Live more today. Be more, today. For today may be all you ever have at your true disposal.