cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/185121

There seem to be a growing number of unmarried people today who may have been brought up to view their purpose in life as being tied to having a family, and they may be getting too old to have kids (in the case of some unmarried women for example).

How can they find a sense of meaning in life without a family?

I have trouble wrapping my head around this, due to the understanding that a person could dedicate their life to God and live as a celibate as like a monk or priest or nun if they don’t marry, and I feel pretty content with the idea of being married or single or in some religious commitment.

But this seems like it may be a growing problem for other people who do not share my outlook and I was wondering if people have ideas on how these people can cope with the issue.

  • Scruffy_Nerfherder@exploding-heads.comMEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I would humbly submit that you don’t know what happiness is.

    There is a convent in Gower Missouri that is all over the news (so they’re easy to find.) They have a good web presence. You can also find YouTube videos of interviews.

    You will not find anyone happier than those nuns. They have surrendered themselves to God and to their community. I would say that God and community are essential to happiness and meaning.

    Yes there are plenty of grumpy priests and religious people, somehow that doesn’t stop those nuns from smiling. A lot.

    If you want happiness in your life, begin looking there.