Sharon Lebell | The Meaning of Your Life Will Never Be Convenient
Nov 30, 2023
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Sharon Lebell, author of 'The Art of Living', discusses embracing life, exploring the concept of 'Moo and You', suspending judgments, treasuring senseless beauty, and reflecting on the meaning of life in this thought-provoking episode.
Embrace senseless beauty and find meaning by directing attention and engaging deeply with people and events in our lives.
Live as a wholehearted global citizen, recognizing the value and dignity of others, and find meaning through intentional choice and deep engagement.
Deep dives
The Meaning of Your Life Will Never Be Convenient
In this episode, Sharon Lebel explores the idea that the meaning of life will never be convenient. She emphasizes the importance of wholeheartedness and embracing the senseless beauty that surrounds us. Sharon discusses the concept of living as a global citizen, recognizing the value and dignity of others. She encourages us to find meaning by directing our attention, choosing our intentions, and engaging deeply with the people and events in our lives. Sharon also highlights the role of personal choice and conscious selection in finding meaning, as well as the significance of everyday caring and sanctifying mundane events.
Embracing Senseless Beauty and Recognizing Our Place in the Universe
Sharon Lebel reflects on the idea of embracing senseless beauty and recognizing our place in the universe. She urges us to notice, accentuate, and extend the moments of useless beauty in our lives, taking joy in the things that lack utility but hold infinite value. Sharon acknowledges that life contains both senseless ugliness and beauty, but by wholeheartedly engaging with the senseless beauty, we can find meaning and make a positive impact. She encourages us to rejoice in the beauty that surrounds us and to give thanks for the opportunity to experience the full range of emotions and insights that life offers.
Living as a Wholehearted Global Citizen
Sharon Lebel discusses the concept of living as a wholehearted global citizen and its connection to finding meaning in life. She highlights the importance of humility, recognizing that our perspectives are not universal and that others deserve equal regard, dignity, and opportunity. Sharon suggests that by living wholeheartedly and working for the betterment of all, we experience inner freedom and a sense of being part of something greater than ourselves. She emphasizes that living wholeheartedly requires deep engagement, intentional choice, and attention to the meaning that arises in our personal lives. Sharon concludes by reminding us that while the meaning of life may not be convenient, by bringing our whole hearts to what we do, we can find order, peace, and the comfort of knowing that our efforts and longings are necessary and valuable.
Sharon is one of the pioneers of the contemporary Stoicism movement, and the author behind the best-selling interpretation of Epictetus’ writings, “The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness.” As a musician and prominent writer, Sharon seeks to liberate the wisdom of the past in order to facilitate deeper meaning-making and personal flourishing.
In this episode, Sharon gives a talk titled "The Meaning of Your Life Will Never Be Convenient."
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