In a recent article there was a line that struck me. The article, by Clay Tarver of the New York Times, was on Jason Everman who played with Nirvana and Soundgarden prior to becoming an Army Ranger and working in Special Forces.

Near the end of the article, Everman says, “The way I look at it, life is meaningless. The meaningfulness is what you impart to it.”

I have written many times about how I believe that life becomes meaningful when we strive for a life of significance. How, if we do not, we tend to only look upon something to be successful at; be that our relationships, our families or our jobs.

However, I quite like Everman’s comment slightly restated, “The meaningfulness of life is what you impart to it.”

As I began to think this over and truly look at what I have and am imparting to life I quickly began to realize the weight of this statement. The times that I have been most happy and felt most rewarded are the times when I have had the opportunity to actually impart something positive to others and to the world.

I don’t see the word used that often.

Impart (from Marriam-Webster)

: to give (something, such as a quality) to a thing

: to make (something) known to someone

Through the years I have had many chances to impart knowledge to people I have worked with and to those who I have taught in various class settings. I am by no means a talented teacher by the measure of my wife who is a truly gifted teacher of over 20 years.

However, the things I have taught have come naturally more because of the nature of the material I have been teaching. Truth rings true and requires very little effort in the teaching if one listens to the core message.

In business settings I have mentored others and enjoyed doing so as, again, business truths are easy things to teach. Even if they are not as valued today as they once were. Regardless, I believe that one should lead from a value set that is based upon truth and a common desire to help others.

Through my ministry I have been able to impart God’s love and his offer of salvation. I have also been able to impart the wealth of wisdom given to us in scripture.

Imparting compassion to others has been another thing that is core to who I am. I have been able to show compassion to those in need in many ways over the years. It is very easy to become hardened to this world and simply look beyond others needs for compassion simply because there are so many who can benefit from a kind word or a helping hand.

I have imparted what wisdom and knowledge I have of this life to my children and have been given the opportunity to do so to other young people. Not that I am necessarily anyone to be patterned after, but my father imparted basic truths and I have striven to do so to others.

I think that when we begin to look at life from the standpoint of what we can impart that we begin to find our true selves. We begin to see ourselves through the eyes of others and the world at large. We begin to get a feel for what is truly meaningful in this life.

And, in some small way, we make our mark through what we can impart upon it.