Joel Ien, Marci Ien's father and a celebrated teacher and professor, always started the school year by putting two numbers, say 1905 dash 1942 on the chalkboard. Then he would ask his students, "What do you think that dash means?" The dash is your lifetime. All the years that come between the two dates are compressed in a dash. What will you do? How do you find meaning and purpose in your life? The paradoxical secret to finding meaning is not to look for it. The secret to a purposeful life is not to search for an abstract meaning of life, but to remind yourself every day to do the right thing, love fully, pursue fascinating experiences, and undertake important tasks and how these lead to happiness and meaning. Weaving together inspirational stories, practical strategies and insight from prominent--and not-so-prominent--people, Marci Ien shows you how to: Find community in the face of secular society, retirement and the gig economy; Value work while understanding the perils of believing that only doing what you love counts; Move beyond yourself and give back -- no matter how much time or money you have; Redefine and re-evaluate ambition to find balance and contentment in your life; Slow down and find meaning in the every day; Do the right thing by determining your moral, ethical framework and living within it.