Today’s post will feature a deep dive into an answer to a question I posed to several friends and associates. The question was, “What, in your opinion, makes for a truly fulfilling life?” We will take a deeper dive into the answer featured in today’s post. This includes looking at how we can implement their ideas for fulfillment into our own life. This will allow all of us to wake up with a greater sense of inner peace and joy. If these answers inspire you, and you would like to share your own feeling on what makes life fulfilling, feel free to do so in the comments below. You could be featured in a future post or in my next book! Now let us take a look at today’s answer!

Today’s answer, or should I say answers, comes from my friend Terry. I have know him since we were 5 years old. Give or take a few years. That speaks to what an amazing man, and friend Terry is. He is retired military and works tirelessly to help those both in the military and those who have left the military. He also works to help his friends, community and the people and causes he cares about. As you can tell, Terry is one amazing gentleman. He posted 2 answers to the question about what makes life fulfilling. They were both so good I want to touch on them both.

“To make anything and everything we do better.”

“Giving back to the people that have given to us. Being retired military it’s about the veterans that gave their lives to have what we have here today.”

The Japanese philosophy of ‘Kaizen’ or never-ending improvement. When thinking of never-ending improvement, many people have expressed to me a sense of futility. If we can never achieve perfection, and our work is never done, what is the point? This is looking about it all wrong. Instead of leading to a feeling of a defeated life, it can actually give us a sense of fulfillment. Terry understands this, let us take a look into it. The fact that no matter how good anything is, it can always be better should excite us. Work really hard to create a marriage that is loving and kind? There is a whole level of intimacy that is waiting for you. Work hard in your career to get where you are? Great! There is still even more to be accomplished and celebrated. The point of this is that every time we improve on our best, we can feel fulfilled. Even the progressive realization of a worthy ideal, which was the definition of success as given by Earl Nightingale, is fulfillment. When we know we are working to be better, that should give us a sense of fulfillment.

As for giving back to those who gave to us, I am sure how you can see where that would give you a sense of fulfillment. As I am typing this, my mother comes to mind. Margie often says she volunteers to help everyone. That is just this side of being accurate. My mother has a lot of beliefs and causes she is passionate about. Instead of just talking or writing a check, she volunteers and takes action. When I get a chance to take her out for dinner or coffee, or even just do something nice for her, I feel a sense of fulfillment. She helps so many others, it is a joy to help her.

Terry gives another great example, that of the military. These are men and women who serve their country. They put their lives on the line to protect people they do not know, and may very well never know. The stress and impact this has on their lives can often be devastating. Knowing this in advance, they still sign up to serve. If you can ever do anything to help veterans, you should. While war is something none of us want to see, those men and women who are sent to battle deserve our utmost respect and compassion.

From first responders, doctors, nurses and volunteers, there are so many amazing souls that we could help. Helping those who serve others is not only fulfilling, it makes the world a much brighter place. It is often those who give the most that ask for the least. How many people do you know that give their all to others only to be suffering in silence. When you have such a giving nature, it can be difficult to admit you might need help, much less ask for it. Be like Terry and find your fulfillment in giving back to those who give to others.

What group of people can you think of that would give you a sense of fulfillment to help? There are so many worthwhile individuals. Please mention yours in the comments below as it will help others find people and groups deserving our attention and assistance. Also, ask yourself how you view a life of never-ending improvement. Can you see how this would lead to a life of fulfillment? Can you see the excitement knowing that no matter how amazing your life is, there is always a way to make it better? Please share in the comments below.