How do we create meaning?

Nothing in life has any meaning besides the meaning we give it.
How do we create meaning?  In many cases we are programmed by our
culture and the people around us.  The truth is that all meaning is
subjective.  Some of us are taught that having designer clothes, a
perfect body and having a lot of money is the true meaning of
success. In other cultures having a loin cloth, a lip plate, long
earlobes and living off the land is the true meaning of success.

Some of us are taught that death is sadness and others believe it is
joyful because we get rid of our warn-out bodies so our spirit can
move on and have more fun!

Imagine you are in the ocean and you are a poor swimmer. Behind you
is a huge wave. Now what do you think? Do you think what an
exciting and fun wave? No! You're scared as hell. Now imagine you
are an experienced surfer and the same wave comes up behind you.
You say, "Cool. Hang ten. What a wave dude". Did the wave change?
Obviously it was just the meaning you gave to it.

If nothing in life has any meaning besides what you give to it then
your experiences in life have nothing to do with what is happening
in your life, but everything to do with the meaning you attach it
to.

Understanding that you can choose the meaning to the events in your
life gives you a tremendous power to change the quality of your
experiences, the quality of your results and the quality of your
life.

If you feel angry or upset ask yourself, "What does my reaction to
this say about me?" In other words, what do I have to believe to
experience the emotions I am experiencing right now in this
situation?  In short, you define your own experiences.  You create
your own meaning.