There are certain differences between a happy life and a meaningful life. They may go hand-in-hand, but this is not always the case. The sense of living a meaningful life is not dependent upon your happiness. Even if your relationships to your family and friends aren’t perfect, you can add a deeper sense of purpose to your life by maintaining and cherishing these bonds. It is, however, important to note that this does not mean that you have to live in a perfectly harmonious family.
Choose your friends wisely
- As an example, one of the things I value is being able to share ideas and help others discover greater well-being.
- If you don’t have a spiritual practice, consider exploring faith traditions or other spiritual practices that resonate with you.
- Sometimes it takes quite a lot of courage to live a meaningful life.
- Imagine what it would mean to you to know that you made a difference in someone’s life.
- I am passionate about helping women grow in their faith by engaging in the Word!
However, when we stop to think of the life of Jesus – the very one we are called to imitate – we see how he served others selflessly. He also spent time with lepers and the outcasts of society. I started to notice that I was becoming discontent marijuana addiction with life.
- Your life deserves the same level of strategic guidance.
- If you are eating a meal, notice the textures and flavors as if they were ones you had never experienced before.
- When you choose the safe route over the thing you really want, there’s a strong chance you’re going to be haunted by the dreaded “What if?
- Include answers to important questions about yourself — the kind you wish you had asked your own parents and grandparents.
Identifying our purpose takes work and dedication.
Ask yourself where and how your top character strengths correspond how to add meaning to your life with each of the three components of meaning mentioned earlier—Significance, Purpose, and Coherence. For example, you can use your character strength of Social Intelligence to validate another person’s sense of Significance. Use your character strength of Curiosity to uncover your Purpose and Bravery to act upon it.
- Journalist Michael Stoll found inspiration in the “social responsibility theory of journalism,” which he read about at Stanford University.
- Nurturing supportive relationships is about cherishing those who encourage you, understand you, and challenge you in healthy ways.
- Finn Robinson has spent the past few decades travelling the globe and honing his skills in bodywork, holistic health, and environmental stewardship.
- Does this time leave you feeling more refreshed, or more tired?
Positive Psychology: Harnessing the power of happiness, mindfulness, and inner strength
Instead, most researchers point out that the process of overcoming conflict and challenges is quite important as well. Not only will it help to deepen the relationship to your loved ones, but it will also help in increasing your life’s meaning. Sometimes your inner critic can stand in-between you and a purpose driven life. And in certain situations it can be quite helpful to listen to that voice.
Having a more meaningful life often means making real changes to your life. You’ll have to dig deep to discover the things that matter to you. You may learn that, after years of giving yourself to an unfulfilling career, your family is the most important thing in your life. Or, if your family is more a source of stress than support, deep friendships could be what you value most.