A Meaningful Life

Non-Fiction Dialogue

An Explanation

We live in times of great change, a time when our personal strengths are stretched, sometimes even to the breaking point. The results are disheartening. Many of us fail at our jobs and our relationships; others become addicted to the substances or activities that are meant to calm frayed nerves but offer only temporary respite. Nowhere is this more prevalent than with our youth who are often left unprepared by parents or guardians who do not know better themselves. A MEANINGFUL LIFE is a book about living purposefully and composedly in today’s world of strife, turmoil, uncertainty, and competitive survival. The recognition is that, with a stable, intelligently derived sense of meaning, anyone can weather any storm with courage and composure, or, as stated by Friederich Nietzsche, “If we have our own why in life, we shall get along with almost any how”.

Without it, today’s youth and even some older adults are burdened by feelings of uncertainty, loneliness, fear, depression, or despair, leaving a hole in the soul they cannot comprehend, far less fill.  The consequence is the irresistible attraction to alcohol, drugs, entertainment, or activities that cause harm to self or others in an effort to escape those feelings, or they seek spurious comfort in pretense or acts of physical, sexual, or financial violence.

It is counterproductive trying to stifle the defensive behaviour because this is all they have.  It is necessary to introduce a feeling of true meaning or purpose, but real meaning can only be reached through a logical and scientifically derived definition of the human spirit as the essence of the power of self. This book uses dialogue that critically examines the nature of self, of theism, and of our physical reality to guide the reader to realize they own “why” so they can reach that objective for themselves or to guide someone in their charge to do so.

It does not offer ten easy answers or twelve rules to follow. It will, instead, take you through a serious analysis of the human spirit and a logical conclusion on how to realize it, activate it, and build it to a purposeful goal. It will introduce historical and scientific facts that may, on the surface, seem irrelevant but, in the end become necessary for your full acceptance and ownership of the conclusions. Your “why” will allow you to confidently create your own “how’s”.

 About the Author

Albert de Goias

I am a physician recently retired. For the last forty years I have worked with people from all walks of life, from drug addicts to stressed executives, disenchanted physicians and disillusioned young adults, helping them to see and understand their calling to live with insight and purpose despite the chaos and complexity inherent to their world. I have assessed and instructed youths to give up the use of cannabis and other experimental drugs, and to better understand and manage adolescent angst through a more enlightened approach to the maturity of adulthood. The majority of those I have seen were able to see life as a font of perpetual and unstoppable change we are required to examine, analyse and understand. They learned and applied the insight that our job is to use these challenges as food to build the power of self, not as obstacles that deplete us. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work with youth and this book is hopefully my legacy to youth everywhere to be able to see themselves as souls with the mandate to grow, not just bodies with the need to survive.

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1 Comment

  1. Léah Hendriks

    A Meaningful Life explores questions such as “why do we live?” “what is our purpose?” and, ultimately, how can we live a meaningful life in a complex, ever changing world. The book is structured as a conversation between two friends, a theologian and a doctor, which makes for an engaging and at times humorous exploration into philosophy, religion and science. I have only read the first three chapters of the book and will leave another review once I have read the entire book, so this is a preliminary review. My impression thus far is that, as human beings, we differ from other sentient beings in our ability to reason and it is our ability to reason that can help us to rise above our limbic system responses that keep us in a cycle of reaction. It is through our power of reason that we can cultivate the foundation and focus to create a path toward living a truly meaningful life. This is ultimately a hopeful book that explores the human ability to rise to great challenges and overcome the many obstacles our world and society present.

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Reviews

Reviews taken from Amaxon
Sam Tsang- Canada
Sam Tsang

Reviewed in Canada on March 21, 2025

Albert de Goias’ A Meaningful Life offers readers a compelling and intellectually rigorous exploration of how to live with purpose in an often tumultuous world. Through careful examination of self, theism, and our physical reality, he encourages readers to confront the deeper questions of existence, pushing them beyond the conventional answers that are so often offered by society.

The book strikes a balance between philosophical depth and practical relevance. De Goias rejects the notion that purpose can be boiled down to simple rules or easy steps. Instead, he argues that true meaning arises from personal exploration and the disciplined application of logic. For de Goias, the search for meaning is an individual journey, and it is through this process of self-discovery, guided by thoughtful reasoning, that one can weather life’s inevitable storms with resilience.

De Goias taps into the existential void that many individuals, especially today’s youth, often experience—feelings of uncertainty, fear, and a pervasive sense of meaninglessness. In contrast to the fleeting comforts of escapism, he presents a path forward rooted in logic, critical thought, and philosophical engagement. As Friedrich Nietzsche famously stated, “If we have our own why in life, we shall get along with almost any how,” and de Goias’ book serves as a guide to helping readers find their own “why.”

This is not a book about quick fixes or transient solutions. It doesn’t promise happiness or success through superficial methods. Rather, it provides a framework for understanding human existence, showing that we are more than mere creatures of survival. We are beings with a deeper, invisible essence—the soul—that carries the potential for growth and transformation.

For anyone looking to understand the nature of meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it, A Meaningful Life is a must-read. It challenges the reader to confront difficult truths, while also offering the guidance to rise above them. De Goias’ emphasis on the importance of reasoned thought, self-awareness, and personal accountability creates a powerful narrative that resonates deeply with those seeking a life of purpose beyond the noise of modern distractions.

2 people found this helpful
Helder Pacheco - Brazil

Reviewed in Canada on April 3, 2025

Verified Purchase
It is very nice when you read a book that makes you think beyond the obvious. Albert offers us this gift of reflecting more deeply about an important topic for us, our family and our society.
michelle - Canada
michelle

Reviewed in Canada on April 21, 2025

Through warm, conversational storytelling, Goias invites readers into an intimate dialogue on life’s most essential questions: Why are we here? What gives life meaning? How do we find purpose in the ordinary moments?

Each chapter unfolds like a quiet revelation, yet what makes this book especially powerful is its ability to meet readers where they are. Depending on your stage of life, your struggles, or your triumphs, different chapters will resonate more deeply. Some may find solace in reflections on love and loss; others might be stirred by the author’s musings on time, legacy, or joy.

What sets this book apart is the author’s tone: never preachy, always honest. His prose feels like sitting with a wise friend over coffee, one who isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions but does so with empathy and grace.

Whether you are searching, healing, evolving, or simply curious, A Meaningful Life is a good reminder that life’s journey is the point, and meaning is often found in the quiet corners we least expect.

From Andrea del Sarto by Robert Browning

Ah! But a man’s reach must exceed his grasp.  Or what’s a heaven for?