THE SEARCH FOR MEANING: Why Pleasure Never Satisfies
- Madelyn Hamilton
- Jun 11
- 2 min read
We live in a world flooded with distractions. Pleasure surrounds us. Entertainment. Food. Social media. Shopping. Busyness. People chase pleasure, hoping it will fill the emptiness inside. But pleasure can never replace meaning. Viktor Frankl said it clearly. When people lack meaning, they seek pleasure. That statement holds more truth than most people want to admit.
I see it every day. People feel restless. Unsettled. Tired. Anxious. They work harder. They buy more. They binge-watch. They scroll endlessly. They hope the next thing will quiet the unease. It never does. Because the real problem isn’t out there. It’s inside.
The human soul was built for purpose. We need meaning like we need air. Without meaning, we drift. We lose our grounding. We feel lost. Pleasure numbs the ache, but it doesn't heal it.
Frankl survived horrors most of us can't imagine. He watched people in concentration camps suffer beyond reason. Some gave up. Others held on. What made the difference? Meaning. Frankl discovered that purpose sustains life, even while suffering. Meaning gives pain a place. It turns struggle into strength. Without it, even comfort feels empty.
Meaning demands honesty. It requires us to confront hard truths. It asks us to let go of what no longer serves us. It invites us to stop performing and start becoming.
When people find their meaning, something shifts. Energy returns. Clarity sharpens. Peace grows. They no longer chase every shiny thing. They no longer fear discomfort. Meaning roots them. It steadies the storm inside.
The good news is this: meaning isn’t rare. You don’t need a perfect life to find it. You don’t need fame, wealth, or ease. You need courage to look. You need a willingness to explore. You need humility to receive what you discover.
I believe every person carries a unique purpose. You were made for something. Your story matters. Your contribution matters. Your pain can even become part of your purpose.
Frankl’s words continue to guide my life (and work). I help people see what was always there. Not because I have the answers. I simply ask questions. And I know the power of meaning when people finally see it.
Pleasure fades. Meaning lasts. Chase meaning. You’ll never regret it.
