10 Keys to Happier Living - Meaning

''Having a sense of purpose, understanding why

we're here and feeling that what we do matters

are what 'meaning' is all about.''

''What really matters? What's the meaning of my life? Why am I here? What's my purpose? How should I live my life? How does what I do make a difference? These are BIG questions ...''

Discovering meaning and defining our purpose gives direction to our lives. Finding meaning is not so much about an end destination, it's more about the journey itself.

What is it that makes

your life meaningful?

Psychologist, Michael Steger, says that meaning has three distinct elements ...
Significance  ...   a feeling of connectedness, a sense that what we do and who we are, makes a difference.
Comprehension  ...  how we make sense of life, what we stand for.
Purpose  ...  those things that motivate us, that keep us going.

''While having a sense of meaning is associated with higher well-being, the search for it isn't.''  
So, what does this mean?  If we lack a sense of meaning, but the journey to finding meaning is a rocky one, what then should we do?

''Rather than focusing on what's missing in life, one of the best routes to developing meaning is to find ways to help others, concentrating on something beyond ourselves.''  Which takes us full circle to the very first of our 10 Keys  -  Giving.

Neurologist and Psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, believes that meaning is not something we are born with, rather ''something that must be learned, discovered or created.''  Such discovery comes through creative or significant work: achievements, good deeds and random acts of kindness.  It is also found in valued or elevating experiences, such as friendships or a deep appreciation of music, arts, nature, etc.  And finally, through suffering and the ability to reflect and grow from negative experiences or suffering and the attitude we take towards situations we can't change.

Try this exercise ...
Write the following 'Life Priorities' on individual pieces of paper, then place them in order of importance to you, with 1 being most important and 21 being the least important. Take your time and consider these carefully.

Scroll to the end of this post to read the
significance of this exercise

For many people around the world, myself included, the most important source of meaning is spirituality - faith in God.  Personally, my faith helps me answer some of those big questions of life; yet, even in those times when I lack answers and understanding my faith in God gives me hope and comfort.  Other aspects of well-being associated with faith are, a sense of community, of social and emotional, as well as spiritual support; and times of reflection, meditation and prayer.

Further reading ...

'Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren
The Purpose Driven Life is a manifesto for Christian living in the 21st century ... a lifestyle based on eternal purposes, not cultural values. Using biblical stories and letting the Bible speak for itself, Warren clearly explains God's five purposes for each of us.

'The Search for Significance' by Robert S. McGee
This best-selling book has helped millions of readers learn how to be free to enjoy Christ's love while no longer basing their self-worth on their accomplishments or the opinions of others.

'Life Priorities' exercise ...
The top seven priority areas are those that matter most to you, they are your essentials for meaning.  The bottom seven are those things you are most willing to forego.  Those in the middle seven are the 'nice to haves' in terms of meaning; but they shouldn't take all your energy and attention away from the top seven.

Quotes taken from '10 Keys to Happier Living' by Vanessa King