by Cheryl Batavia

Approaching Age 77: Reflections on the Meaning of Life

Life is a gift. It is up to us to make it meaningful. Photo by Renee Asmussen from Pexels.

What is a Meaningful Life?

The answer to this essential question is unique to each person. Our values may be fairly simple and straightforward, but the details, the way values are lived, are complex and infinitely varied!

Approaching my seventy-seventh birthday next month, I wrote poems about the values that are most meaningful to me. Reaffirming my values was a valuable exercise for me. I try, with varying degrees of success or failure, to live by these values; the details are different every day!

A Meaningful Life

A circular view of the rainbow. Photo by Jakob Owens from Unsplash.

Integrity

Following conscience,

an ethical path through life…

Finding peace of mind.

One Human Family. Photo by Diva Plavalaguna from Pexels.

Empathy

Loving our neighbors.

Living by the Golden Rule…

one human family.

Exploring our world. Photo of dolphins by James Dimas from Unsplash.

Mindfulness

Exploring our world.

Gratitude for life’s blessings…

at one with nature.

Working to make Earth a better place. Photo of a honeybee by Darius Cotoi from Unsplash.

Purpose

Potential fulfilled.

Making Earth a better place…

a meaningful life.

Experience shared. Photo by Vitaly Gariev from Unsplash

Legacy

Experience shared

with future generations,

Encouraging words.

Copyright© 2026 by Cheryl Batavia

One Earth…One Human Family! Photo by NASA from Pexels/Pixabay.

36 Comments

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you so much, Ivor. In all the “noise” that surrounds us, it is comforting to reconfirm our core values. The world, I still believe, is a place where good people are in the majority.

      🌍🌈💕

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you so much, Rosaliene. I am delighted that you think so! 🌹

      Reflecting on my personal values was a useful exercise for me. While the media calls attention to the few who seem to have abandoned their values, I feel certain that most people still live by their principles, even though they don’t always make the news.

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Maggie, for your kind words. Glad this resonated with you. As you meet people on your travels, I am sure you find many people with a similar perspective. I believe most people are good.💕

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you for your lovely words and good wishes, dear Cindy. I still have a few weeks before I am 77. My daughter Katey’s birthday is January 21. She always starts celebrating the next one on January 22. I think she has this year’s themed party planned already. Maybe she has it right! 🤣

      Take care! 💝

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  8. Unknown's avatar

    I like your idea to review your values then reaffirm those that are most important at this time of your life. Writing a poem about each is a wonderful way of sharing them with others – but also a way of integrating them more deeply into yourself via your (he)art. 🙂 I am especially attuned to your ‘Empathy’ and ‘Legacy’ poems in this moment.
    Congrats on your upcoming 77th! I’m only 6 years behind you! 😉

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Your comment, as always, goes to the heart of the matter, Laura! The two values you are attuned to at the moment are so relatable!

      Over the last few years, I have found myself becoming increasingly more empathetic. At the same time, I have recognized that I have sometimes unwittingly been insensitive to others in the past. I guess that is the uncomfortable aspect of getting wiser as you age.

      Concern with legacy is a recognition of our mortality, but it it is also a result of increasing empathy for those we will leave behind. We wish to shield them from making some of the same mistakes we have made, knowing full well that we all must make our own mistakes and learn from them. Still, it’s always worth a try.

      Thank you, Laura, for your insightful comment. You have inspired me to write a post about Empathy and Legacy.

      Hope all is well with you and your family! ❤️

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  9. Unknown's avatar

    A truly beautiful reflection. I loved how it reminds us that a meaningful life is built on the small acts of each day: living with honesty, treating others with empathy, being grateful for what we have, and leaving something good for those who come after us. Thank you for sharing these inspiring words.

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply, Lincol. I am delighted that you like the poems. It is my pleasure to share my work, and it makes me happy when others find it meaningful. ❤️ Wishing you a great weekend ahead!

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      1. Unknown's avatar

        Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your poetry so generously. It’s always a pleasure to read you; each poem exudes a very special sensitivity. I also wish you a wonderful weekend, filled with inspiration, peace, and many beautiful moments. Warm regards.

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  10. Unknown's avatar

    These are beautiful, Cheryl. I like all of your choices for what constitutes a meaningful life, both in terms of who you are in having integrity and compassion, and in finding a sense of meaning and purpose for your own contentment. Just in my interactions with you and reading what you write on your blog over the years, I’ve always had the sense that you are a wonderful, kind person with a smart mind and a warm heart, and I think that counts for a lot, so I think you can look at the “bigger picture” as you turn 77 and be proud of yourself.

    Just wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday in advance! 🥳 🎉

    Lots of love, Caz xxxx

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Caz, your kind words made my day! Thank you so much! 💕 May you and your mother find strength for each day as you care for each other! Thank you for the helpful health tips you share in your posts! 💐

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  12. Unknown's avatar

    Cheryl, what a gift this is and not just to read, but the fact that you sat down and actually did this for yourself. That’s such a wise and grounded thing to do ❤️❤️
    The Legacy one stopped me. “Experience shared with future generations, encouraging words.” That’s it, really. Happy almost-77, Cheryl. The world is genuinely better for having you in it. 💕

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Ritish, so glad you liked the post. I will have to try very hard to live up your kind words! Thank you so much! 💕

      Hope all is well with you. I am enjoying your very positive and uplifting posts. You are doing your part in inspiring your readers to make the world a better place. 💐🙏

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