Rumi Forum organized its “Winter 2025 Quarterly Social” at the Friends Meeting of Washington on February 22, 2025. Quarterly Social is an opportunity to meet individuals from various walks of life and engage in stimulating conversations. Each Quarterly Social gathering features a different theme on which participants share their reflections in an open and welcoming environment. The meetings take the form of facilitated conversations in which participants themselves are the speakers.

Our theme for the Winter 2025 Quarterly Social was “Personal Responsibility.” There were some questions to ponder before our gathering:

What are the biggest causes of meaninglessness among young people today? (Consider factors like social isolation, technology addiction, financial struggles, relationship difficulties, and lack of purpose.)

What have you seen—either in your own life or in others—that helps people overcome these struggles and find meaning? (Think about community, habits, faith, mentorship, career choices, or other key influences.)

How do work, financial stability, and relationships shape a young person’s sense of purpose, and what challenges make this difficult? (How do career success, economic security, and substantial relationships impact fulfillment, and what barriers stand?)

What does it mean to be a leader among your peers in a generation facing these struggles, and how can young professionals support each other in finding meaning? (What practical or philosophical approaches can help young people guide and uplift each other?)