Meaning

Repeatedly, I have noticed that those patients who experience a deep sense of meaning in their lives appear to live more fully and face death with less despair than those who are devoid of meaning

Irim Yalom

Having meaning is a core to happiness and direction in life. Meaningless allows other symptoms to rush in – alcoholism, depression, obsessionism, delinquency, sexual deviancy, and other deviance  (Yalom). It is a key point to understand the meaning, beliefs, rules, and values we have lived by, and where they come from – so we can change. Having the beliefs is one thing – but are you consistent. Integrity is the reality that you treat everyone by the same set of principles (Covey)

Our Meaning comes from 7 drivers (Yalom)

  1. Altruism – Serving others and giving to charity
  2. Dedication to a cause – “it must, if it is to give life meaning, lift the individual out of himself and make him co-operate as part of a master scheme” (Will Durant)
  3. Self-Actualisation – “Imitation of Christ” (Kempis) or Maslow’s progress toward Good values, Serenity, Kindness, Courage, Honest, Love, Unselfishness, and Goodness
  4. Self-transcendence of the lifecycle – Living for and through your offspring / business / cause
  5. Creativity – Through art, science, teaching, drama, study etc.
  6. Hedonism – Pleasure for the self
  7. Transcendence – To enjoy yourself via helping others
Next

Where do you get your meaning in life? 

What Beliefs (or Rules) do you live by?

What are my Values?

Who am I? My Identity