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camps and explored life's meaning.","Frankl's three concepts: freedom of will, will to meaning, meaning in life.","Meaning boosts wellbeing, more than happiness, and isn't always spiritual.","Meaningful activities help cope with stress and lead to long-lasting happiness.",1,{"id":38,"data":39,"type":40,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":25},"142a20f3-bbeb-42ca-ac0a-5c7ed7e2bc4b",{"type":40,"intro":41},10,[42,43],"What are the three key concepts Viktor Frankl identified in his search for meaning?","How did Martin Seligman define meaning in life?",[45,104,118],{"id":46,"data":47,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":19,"reviews":50},"0fbfef87-dec8-4604-a07e-58720dabd5a7",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":48,"audioMediaId":49},"Psychiatrist **Viktor Frankl** is widely recognized as the forerunner of our modern understanding of living a meaningful life. Having survived the horror of three years in a concentration camp, Frankl had witnessed the absolute worst and very best of humanity.\n\n![Graph](image://37a14f5a-56f8-474d-b90c-b94e1cc5f156 \"Viktor Frankl. Image: Prof. Dr. Franz Vesely, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE \u003Chttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons.\")\n\nIn his psychological memoir *Man’s Search for Meaning*, he attempted to make sense of his past and understand the human quest for meaning. In doing so, he recognized the importance of three psychological and philosophical concepts.\n\nFirstly, our **freedom of will** – we are free to choose how we face up to and interpret internal and external conditions. Secondly, **will to meaning** – our primary motive is to search for meaning and purpose in our lives, sometimes enduring profound difficulties along the way. And thirdly, our **meaning in life** – we can bring forth our best selves by realizing the meaning present in every moment and situation.\n\nUltimately, Frankl concluded that there is no general meaning in life. Everybody’s life can make sense depending on the individual, their circumstances, and their choices. The challenge is finding our life’s purpose and then making the right decisions based on that knowledge.","467a3712-9aa9-4706-90df-85346d3d97f4",[51,72,91],{"id":52,"data":53,"type":54,"version":25,"maxContentLevel":19},"702b24b1-04f6-4d41-bb88-de0408ec16d4",{"type":54,"reviewType":19,"spacingBehaviour":36,"collapsingSiblings":55,"multiChoiceQuestion":59,"multiChoiceCorrect":61,"multiChoiceIncorrect":63,"multiChoiceMultiSelect":6,"multiChoiceRevealAnswerOption":6,"matchPairsQuestion":67,"matchPairsPairs":69},11,[56,57,58],"84067980-c1c7-48ee-9658-675b22d4baf5","281c8656-63ee-42b6-ae8e-4991c4e65452","08e26861-8d29-4701-9ca5-7533e8fc5b8e",[60],"Which psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor wrote 'Man’s Search for Meaning', having witnessed the very worst of humanity?",[62],"Viktor Frankl",[64,65,66],"Martin Seligman","Carroll Izard","Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi",[68],"Match the pairs below:",[70],{"left":62,"right":71,"direction":19},"Psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor.",{"id":73,"data":74,"type":54,"version":19,"maxContentLevel":19},"d1858839-cce3-4fe3-9dcb-593634ef3871",{"type":54,"reviewType":19,"spacingBehaviour":36,"collapsingSiblings":75,"multiChoiceQuestion":78,"multiChoiceCorrect":80,"multiChoiceIncorrect":82,"multiChoiceMultiSelect":6,"multiChoiceRevealAnswerOption":6,"matchPairsQuestion":86,"matchPairsPairs":87},[76,77],"eed05be3-cc3c-4185-828b-bfca174587e5","7486261a-ca5b-404c-9f2f-71c57e41dcf2",[79],"Which of the following best describes the concept of 'freedom of will'?",[81],"Ability to choose how we face up to and interpret conditions",[83,84,85],"The desire to find a purpose in life","Long-lasting happiness and personal growth","Focus on attainment of pleasure, avoidance of pain",[68],[88],{"left":89,"right":90,"direction":19},"Freedom of will","Ability to choose how we face up to and interpret conditions.",{"id":76,"data":92,"type":54,"version":19,"maxContentLevel":19},{"type":54,"reviewType":19,"spacingBehaviour":36,"collapsingSiblings":93,"multiChoiceQuestion":94,"multiChoiceCorrect":96,"multiChoiceIncorrect":97,"multiChoiceMultiSelect":6,"multiChoiceRevealAnswerOption":6,"matchPairsQuestion":99,"matchPairsPairs":100},[73,77],[95],"Which of the following best describes the will to meaning?",[83],[81,98,85],"Long-lasting happiness, self-actualization, personal growth",[68],[101],{"left":102,"right":103,"direction":19},"Will to meaning","The desire to find a purpose in life.",{"id":105,"data":106,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":110},"03a8500f-2db2-489d-9938-b05bc02fe63a",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":107,"audioMediaId":108},"Finding meaning is vital for our well-being, perhaps even more so than the search for happiness. \n\nAfter all, identifying and developing our purpose in life directly increases our sense of fulfillment and protects us from stress, anxiety, and even depression.\n\nAnd yet, it needn’t be spiritual. Belonging to and serving something bigger can create meaning in our lives without requiring a religion. Psychologist **Martin Seligman** saw meaning as simply *“belonging to and serving something that you believe is bigger than yourself.”*\n\nAnd it’s subjective – at least partly. For one person, it may be creating a beautiful garden shared with generations to come; for others, it may be serving the community through an outreach project. And yet, Seligman had caveats.\n\nTo be meaningful, it should contribute to well-being and be pursued for its own sake – even if it carries an emotional and financial cost.","6ce326a1-cd82-420c-b047-ed713afa2a2b",4,[111],{"id":112,"data":113,"type":54,"version":36,"maxContentLevel":19},"b1941ffb-53d6-4236-97eb-aec4a9af10c5",{"type":54,"reviewType":109,"spacingBehaviour":36,"clozeQuestion":114,"clozeWords":116},[115],"Psychologist Martin Seligman defines meaning as “belonging to and serving something that you believe is bigger than yourself.”",[117],"bigger than yourself",{"id":119,"data":120,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":123},"7aef9685-9317-48fb-b006-45532ef706b8",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":121,"audioMediaId":122},"Meaningful activities may be noble, but what about day-to-day life? How does finding meaning help me cope with stress, upset, and sadness? According to research, it does so through uncovering purpose and reasons to live that help mediate difficult situations and troubling emotions.\n\nA 2011 academic review found that meaning-based coping in military veterans promotes post-traumatic growth and challenges existing life trajectories – essential for someone recovering from witnessing the atrocities of war.\n\nAnd while using *avoidance* for coping may intuitively seem unhealthy, it can be positive when combined with purposeful living. The workers, stressed by their manager, may come home and transform their negative energies into positive pursuits, such as writing their first novel, caring for their family, or creating value in their local community.\n\n![Graph](image://62fed5bf-d50a-41e5-a03e-3e1c36cb453c \"A mother caring for her baby. Image: RDNE Stock project via Pexels\")\n\nMeaning is also a key component of **eudaimonia** or long-lasting happiness. After all, well-being is seen as dynamic and ongoing, leading to self-actualization and personal growth. Ultimately, meaning is a pathway to happiness, the *good life,* and essential for living according to our true nature.","77c28dba-f3be-4b12-9380-ccd395740e7f",[124],{"id":125,"data":126,"type":54,"version":36,"maxContentLevel":19},"8a8f7cf6-cbbe-4098-8af2-c7a01c3933cb",{"type":54,"reviewType":109,"spacingBehaviour":36,"clozeQuestion":127,"clozeWords":129},[128],"Meaning is also a key component of eudaimonia or long-lasting happiness.",[130],"eudaimonia",{"id":132,"data":133,"type":25,"version":20,"maxContentLevel":19,"summaryPage":135,"introPage":143,"pages":149},"3aa1a06a-f3dc-4d45-a3bf-c1e878a23adc",{"type":25,"title":134},"Components and Theories of Meaning",{"id":136,"data":137,"type":19,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":36},"a1ff143d-269f-433a-b2e5-28dd4f123be8",{"type":19,"summary":138},[139,140,141,142],"Meaning in life involves comprehension, purpose, and mattering","Seligman's PERMA model includes meaning as a key element of wellbeing","Existential crises often trigger the search for life's meaning","Paul Wong identifies sources of meaning like achievements and relationships",{"id":144,"data":145,"type":40,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":25},"a74efb5d-8c10-493c-ac95-bfd76bc24a11",{"type":40,"intro":146},[147,148],"What are the three components of meaning in life identified by Heintzelman and King?","How does terror management theory relate to our search for meaning?",[150,165,190,203],{"id":151,"data":152,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":25,"reviews":155},"c6ab7145-16b6-4c49-9b33-ea44f0dd7156",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":153,"audioMediaId":154},"The question, 'What is the meaning *of* life?' is a philosophical or theological one outside of the remit of psychology. It attempts to understand why we are here. On the other hand, asking 'What is meaning *in* life?' is not the same.\n\nInstead, it is a question to be answered by psychological research and the individual's subjectivity and is a vital area of inquiry for positive psychology.\n\nIndeed, in psychologist Martin Seligman’s PERMA model of wellbeing, the study of **meaning** (the ‘M’ in the acronym) is one of the five vital elements that focus on learning to flourish and having a fulfilling life. Seligman also recognized that finding meaning can be combined with positive emotions and engagement to create authentic happiness.\n\n![Graph](image://d7e4aca3-aa84-4814-a302-5a362d7e7121 \"Martin Seligman’s PERMA wellbeing model. Image: U3170318, CC BY-SA 4.0 \u003Chttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.\")\n\nIn recent years, psychology has recognized meaningful living as being aligned to the degree to which life appears to make sense to the individual, to what extent worthy goals drive them, and how much it matters in the world. A 2019 study on physiotherapy found that **forming meaningful goals** is vital for treating clients, especially when combined with mindful listening and reflective practices.","91c40f37-2f05-44e6-b220-68c3f2e323f5",[156],{"id":157,"data":158,"type":54,"version":36,"maxContentLevel":19},"7c39e884-e185-4d82-98c5-aabe0314e9cc",{"type":54,"reviewType":25,"spacingBehaviour":36,"binaryQuestion":159,"binaryCorrect":161,"binaryIncorrect":163},[160],"What question are positive psychologists interested in more?",[162],"What is the meaning IN life?",[164],"What is the meaning OF life?",{"id":166,"data":167,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":19,"reviews":170},"c993723a-5fc1-4aec-b8b6-0e45327170e3",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":168,"audioMediaId":169},"If we are going to add meaning to our lives, we need to begin by understanding exactly what it is. Psychologists **Samantha Heintzelman and Laura King** extensively researched the literature on the subject, attempting to answer the question, *How meaningful is life, in general?* They identified three components of meaning in life.\n\n**Comprehension** is about cognition. It is vital that the individual understands their lives and that it seems to fit together and make sense – it is coherent.\n\n**Purpose** relates to their behavior. Do they feel their life has direction and is motivated by worthy life goals?\n\nAnd finally, **mattering** brings in the emotional aspect. We must feel our life goals, behavior, and actions make a difference – they are significant to the world.\n\nWithout a sense of meaning, for the individual, it could be like being on a ship without having a rudder, floating without purpose or direction.","571caf99-137e-4059-a0ce-8d4361e1ec54",[171],{"id":172,"data":173,"type":54,"version":36,"maxContentLevel":19},"dfbf8a66-f224-4f2e-a84e-679fd7d3dd0f",{"type":54,"reviewType":19,"spacingBehaviour":36,"collapsingSiblings":174,"multiChoiceQuestion":178,"multiChoiceCorrect":180,"multiChoiceIncorrect":182,"multiChoiceMultiSelect":6,"multiChoiceRevealAnswerOption":6,"matchPairsQuestion":186,"matchPairsPairs":187},[175,176,177],"877e039c-adbb-4ac3-95d9-4b5f06fa5909","a210cab5-0889-43f9-9d2c-ca47e5182354","924500c5-5a6a-4889-9272-5ebf2721a2ad",[179],"Who conducted research on literature about meaning in life?",[181],"Samantha Heintzelman and Laura King",[183,184,185],"Jean-Paul Sartre","Carol Dweck","Peter Gollwitzer",[68],[188],{"left":181,"right":189,"direction":19},"Researched literature on meaning in life",{"id":191,"data":192,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":195},"a1a522d6-f132-46f0-93e7-a6a6f508dcbd",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":193,"audioMediaId":194},"Our search for meaning in our lives is typically dynamic and sometimes triggered by an existential crisis.\n\nAn accident, a serious illness, or the loss of a loved one can prompt our journey to begin, even if we are not aware of when it starts.\n\nWhen something goes wrong, or we find ourselves at one of many crossroads in life, we may reassess who we are and what we are doing, and question life’s meaning,\n\nFor some, their worst fear may not be death but that they have never really lived – or at least lived meaningfully. Research into **terror management** shows that even subtle reminders of our mortality can nudge us toward a search for life's meaning. And a lack of meaning can increase our anxiety toward death.\n\nTo find meaning requires adopting a **meaning mindset**: a subjective, introspective, and self-reflective exploration that will uncover what we don’t want, what we may find meaningful, and what changes may be needed in the future. It requires authenticity, vulnerability, and bravery and is not for the faint-hearted.","7df069e8-049a-4a84-ba02-7fc0a3aac278",[196],{"id":197,"data":198,"type":54,"version":36,"maxContentLevel":19},"eac57d67-572f-40bb-962b-355ee4a84f2e",{"type":54,"reviewType":109,"spacingBehaviour":36,"clozeQuestion":199,"clozeWords":201},[200],"To find meaning requires adopting a meaning mindset: a subjective, introspective, and self-reflective exploration that will uncover what we don’t want.",[202],"meaning mindset",{"id":204,"data":205,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":208},"21b41b6f-ac6c-4c25-848c-14781458d9c7",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":206,"audioMediaId":207},"Recognizing our life lacks meaning may be the first step toward creating a more fulfilling one and increasing our well-being. But where do we start?\n\nClinical psychologist Paul Wong identifies the following 'sources' for a more fulfilling, *meaningful* life: achievements, relationships, intimacy, religion or spirituality, self-transcendence or altruism, self-acceptance, and fairness or respect.\n\n![Graph](image://b1305107-d317-4b2b-94f0-6d5bb96d81fb \"Clinical psychologist, Paul Wong. Image: Paul T. P. Wong, CC BY-SA 4.0 \u003Chttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons\")\n\nThat’s a significant list. Yet it recognizes that, while financial and educational resources have a part to play, deep meaning comes from committing to a higher purpose – what that looks like is up to us.\n\nAnd while scary, taking the path toward meaningful living has a substantial payback; it is strongly linked to reaching for and attaining valued life goals, improved health, and a higher quality of life.","b1e46e18-e958-48ab-bd6d-581b5d296653",[209],{"id":210,"data":211,"type":54,"version":25,"maxContentLevel":19},"b902def4-ee46-430b-9326-7ec21c63d1a0",{"type":54,"reviewType":36,"spacingBehaviour":36,"activeRecallQuestion":212,"activeRecallAnswers":214},[213],"What are the three components of a meaningful life identified by psychologists Samantha Heintzelman and Laura King?",[215,216,217],"Comprehension","Purpose","Mattering",{"id":219,"data":220,"type":25,"version":20,"maxContentLevel":19,"summaryPage":222,"introPage":230,"pages":236},"67f06444-a645-4838-8d7d-b16a658a45c1",{"type":25,"title":221},"Existential Perspectives on Meaning",{"id":223,"data":224,"type":19,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":36},"df24cc0e-9a21-4b3b-a60a-80b61b154e87",{"type":19,"summary":225},[226,227,228,229],"Courage to live by core values leads to authenticity","Sartre: Meaningful life isn't always a happy one","Ikigai blends passion, skill, need, and pay for fulfillment","Visualizing your funeral can boost value-driven living",{"id":231,"data":232,"type":40,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":25},"46004872-7719-4371-977c-37c21acf22da",{"type":40,"intro":233},[234,235],"What did Jean-Paul Sartre mean by existential angst?","How does Ikigai help you find your reason for living?",[237,255,271],{"id":238,"data":239,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":19,"reviews":242},"e3fe3360-87d4-41e9-8567-c24ceec69627",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":240,"audioMediaId":241},"Finding the courage to align our lives with our core values leads to a more authentic existence and less internal conflict. It improves the quality of our living on a day-to-day basis. And it encourages us to make personal decisions regarding life’s purpose, independent of the environment – including those around us.\n\nYet it takes courage. Living a meaningful life requires us to do precisely what we are afraid of – act according to our convictions. It is not easy; they are deeply personal and, therefore, subjective. Others will not always share them. However, authentic living means choosing what is important to us, and not adopting others’ priorities.\n\nFrench philosopher **Jean-Paul Sartre** made an important distinction – a meaningful life is not always a happy one. As an atheist, in the 1940s, at a time of great political upheaval, he argued that *“if God does not exist, we find no values or commands to turn to which legitimize our conduct.”* Now that’s what we call *existential angst*!\n\n![Graph](image://9cd7f591-0d24-4254-87a6-7e03fc9474e0 \"Jean-Paul Sartre. Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons\")","ead4b33b-9353-4d5f-8e19-ea40b80dc643",[243],{"id":175,"data":244,"type":54,"version":25,"maxContentLevel":19},{"type":54,"reviewType":19,"spacingBehaviour":36,"collapsingSiblings":245,"multiChoiceQuestion":246,"multiChoiceCorrect":248,"multiChoiceIncorrect":249,"multiChoiceMultiSelect":6,"multiChoiceRevealAnswerOption":6,"matchPairsQuestion":251,"matchPairsPairs":252},[172,176,177],[247],"Which philosopher argued that the absence of God entails absence of values?",[183],[250,184,185],"Martin Heidegger",[68],[253],{"left":183,"right":254,"direction":19},"Argued about the absence of God and values.",{"id":256,"data":257,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":27,"reviews":260},"b9fd3a27-9050-4126-86a2-dcad9f5eb344",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":258,"audioMediaId":259},"**Ikigai** is as much an idea as a way of life.\n\nAfter all, this Japanese practice encourages individuals to find their reason for living by considering the point at which their professional, vocational, and family lives meet.\n\nIf asked, most of us would answer that we prefer a meaningful, fulfilling life – yet we must also afford to live.\n\n![Graph](image://fc56a791-7939-4223-8347-c2a93db0f01f \"Graphic representation of Ikigai. Image: This work is a derivative of Ikigai-EN.svg by Nimbosa, an adaptation from works in the PUBLIC DOMAIN by Dennis Bodor (SVG) and Emmy van Deurzen (JPG), CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0 \u003Chttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons\")\n\nFor a balanced yet nuanced view, ask yourself the following four questions: What do I love to do? What am I good at? What does the world need? And, what can I get paid for? The answer to each can create a deeper insight into what you could do that is meaningful to you and yet delivers.\n\nIkigai does not demand a total job change. Instead, existing jobs can be *crafted* to spend more time on intrinsically motivating activities that leave you more interested and happier.","761d1833-27e0-4b1c-9489-a86fe449be32",[261],{"id":262,"data":263,"type":54,"version":25,"maxContentLevel":19},"b3773736-c76a-40c8-8c60-53747aab31b1",{"type":54,"reviewType":36,"spacingBehaviour":36,"activeRecallQuestion":264,"activeRecallAnswers":266},[265],"To find out what kind of life you would like in a nuanced way, ask yourself which four questions?",[267,268,269,270],"What do I love to do?","What am I good at?","What does the world need?","What can I get paid for?",{"id":272,"data":273,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":276},"3a8710bd-0bf7-42e2-abd9-f86a19a44459",{"type":36,"contentRole":25,"markdownContent":274,"audioMediaId":275},"Often people who experience **near-death experiences** report a shift in their values. Typically, they have a higher regard for life and strive to add meaning to their existence.\n\nVisualizing the end of our lives has been shown to have a similar outcome, increasing intrinsic motivation, unselfish behavior, and value-driven living.\n\nFind somewhere quiet and take a few moments. Imagine in years to come that your life is at an end.\n\nAt your funeral, loved ones take turns to stand up and talk about you. What do they say? How would you like to be remembered? How would you like to have spent your time?\n\n![Graph](image://a7979327-67d6-496e-806f-34b45d490270 \"A priest reads at a funeral. Image: Brianza2008, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons\")\n\nWhile the exercise may seem morbid and even a little disturbing, it encourages us to live a more meaningful life in the short time available.","6b165d8e-a3b3-4123-a0a7-4e02a6427aa7",[277],{"id":278,"data":279,"type":54,"version":36,"maxContentLevel":19},"0b45d271-03a1-4c75-af46-1e25bc3217fc",{"type":54,"reviewType":109,"spacingBehaviour":36,"clozeQuestion":280,"clozeWords":282},[281],"Ikigai is a Japanese practice which encourages individuals to find their reason for living in the intersection of their professional, vocational, and family lives.",[283],"Ikigai",[285,464,678],{"id":23,"data":24,"type":25,"version":27,"maxContentLevel":19,"summaryPage":28,"introPage":37,"pages":286},[287,366,409],{"id":46,"data":47,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":19,"reviews":50,"parsed":288},{"data":289,"body":292,"toc":364},{"title":290,"description":291},"","Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl is widely recognized as the forerunner of our modern understanding of living a meaningful life. Having survived the horror of three years in a concentration camp, Frankl had witnessed the absolute worst and very best of humanity.",{"type":293,"children":294},"root",[295,310,320,333,359],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":298,"children":299},"element","p",{},[300,303,308],{"type":301,"value":302},"text","Psychiatrist ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":305,"children":306},"strong",{},[307],{"type":301,"value":62},{"type":301,"value":309}," is widely recognized as the forerunner of our modern understanding of living a meaningful life. Having survived the horror of three years in a concentration camp, Frankl had witnessed the absolute worst and very best of humanity.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":311,"children":312},{},[313],{"type":296,"tag":314,"props":315,"children":319},"img",{"alt":316,"src":317,"title":318},"Graph","image://37a14f5a-56f8-474d-b90c-b94e1cc5f156","Viktor Frankl. Image: Prof. Dr. Franz Vesely, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE \u003Chttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons.",[],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":321,"children":322},{},[323,325,331],{"type":301,"value":324},"In his psychological memoir ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":327,"children":328},"em",{},[329],{"type":301,"value":330},"Man’s Search for Meaning",{"type":301,"value":332},", he attempted to make sense of his past and understand the human quest for meaning. In doing so, he recognized the importance of three psychological and philosophical concepts.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":334,"children":335},{},[336,338,343,345,350,352,357],{"type":301,"value":337},"Firstly, our ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":339,"children":340},{},[341],{"type":301,"value":342},"freedom of will",{"type":301,"value":344}," – we are free to choose how we face up to and interpret internal and external conditions. Secondly, ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":346,"children":347},{},[348],{"type":301,"value":349},"will to meaning",{"type":301,"value":351}," – our primary motive is to search for meaning and purpose in our lives, sometimes enduring profound difficulties along the way. And thirdly, our ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":353,"children":354},{},[355],{"type":301,"value":356},"meaning in life",{"type":301,"value":358}," – we can bring forth our best selves by realizing the meaning present in every moment and situation.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":360,"children":361},{},[362],{"type":301,"value":363},"Ultimately, Frankl concluded that there is no general meaning in life. Everybody’s life can make sense depending on the individual, their circumstances, and their choices. The challenge is finding our life’s purpose and then making the right decisions based on that knowledge.",{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":365},[],{"id":105,"data":106,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":110,"parsed":367},{"data":368,"body":370,"toc":407},{"title":290,"description":369},"Finding meaning is vital for our well-being, perhaps even more so than the search for happiness.",{"type":293,"children":371},[372,376,381,397,402],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":373,"children":374},{},[375],{"type":301,"value":369},{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":377,"children":378},{},[379],{"type":301,"value":380},"After all, identifying and developing our purpose in life directly increases our sense of fulfillment and protects us from stress, anxiety, and even depression.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":382,"children":383},{},[384,386,390,392],{"type":301,"value":385},"And yet, it needn’t be spiritual. Belonging to and serving something bigger can create meaning in our lives without requiring a religion. Psychologist ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":387,"children":388},{},[389],{"type":301,"value":64},{"type":301,"value":391}," saw meaning as simply ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":393,"children":394},{},[395],{"type":301,"value":396},"“belonging to and serving something that you believe is bigger than yourself.”",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":398,"children":399},{},[400],{"type":301,"value":401},"And it’s subjective – at least partly. For one person, it may be creating a beautiful garden shared with generations to come; for others, it may be serving the community through an outreach project. And yet, Seligman had caveats.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":403,"children":404},{},[405],{"type":301,"value":406},"To be meaningful, it should contribute to well-being and be pursued for its own sake – even if it carries an emotional and financial cost.",{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":408},[],{"id":119,"data":120,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":123,"parsed":410},{"data":411,"body":413,"toc":462},{"title":290,"description":412},"Meaningful activities may be noble, but what about day-to-day life? How does finding meaning help me cope with stress, upset, and sadness? According to research, it does so through uncovering purpose and reasons to live that help mediate difficult situations and troubling emotions.",{"type":293,"children":414},[415,419,424,436,444],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":416,"children":417},{},[418],{"type":301,"value":412},{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":420,"children":421},{},[422],{"type":301,"value":423},"A 2011 academic review found that meaning-based coping in military veterans promotes post-traumatic growth and challenges existing life trajectories – essential for someone recovering from witnessing the atrocities of war.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":425,"children":426},{},[427,429,434],{"type":301,"value":428},"And while using ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":430,"children":431},{},[432],{"type":301,"value":433},"avoidance",{"type":301,"value":435}," for coping may intuitively seem unhealthy, it can be positive when combined with purposeful living. The workers, stressed by their manager, may come home and transform their negative energies into positive pursuits, such as writing their first novel, caring for their family, or creating value in their local community.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":437,"children":438},{},[439],{"type":296,"tag":314,"props":440,"children":443},{"alt":316,"src":441,"title":442},"image://62fed5bf-d50a-41e5-a03e-3e1c36cb453c","A mother caring for her baby. Image: RDNE Stock project via Pexels",[],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":445,"children":446},{},[447,449,453,455,460],{"type":301,"value":448},"Meaning is also a key component of ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":450,"children":451},{},[452],{"type":301,"value":130},{"type":301,"value":454}," or long-lasting happiness. After all, well-being is seen as dynamic and ongoing, leading to self-actualization and personal growth. Ultimately, meaning is a pathway to happiness, the ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":456,"children":457},{},[458],{"type":301,"value":459},"good life,",{"type":301,"value":461}," and essential for living according to our true nature.",{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":463},[],{"id":132,"data":133,"type":25,"version":20,"maxContentLevel":19,"summaryPage":135,"introPage":143,"pages":465},[466,530,591,636],{"id":151,"data":152,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":25,"reviews":155,"parsed":467},{"data":468,"body":470,"toc":528},{"title":290,"description":469},"The question, 'What is the meaning of life?' is a philosophical or theological one outside of the remit of psychology. It attempts to understand why we are here. On the other hand, asking 'What is meaning in life?' is not the same.",{"type":293,"children":471},[472,491,496,508,516],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":473,"children":474},{},[475,477,482,484,489],{"type":301,"value":476},"The question, 'What is the meaning ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":478,"children":479},{},[480],{"type":301,"value":481},"of",{"type":301,"value":483}," life?' is a philosophical or theological one outside of the remit of psychology. It attempts to understand why we are here. On the other hand, asking 'What is meaning ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":485,"children":486},{},[487],{"type":301,"value":488},"in",{"type":301,"value":490}," life?' is not the same.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":492,"children":493},{},[494],{"type":301,"value":495},"Instead, it is a question to be answered by psychological research and the individual's subjectivity and is a vital area of inquiry for positive psychology.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":497,"children":498},{},[499,501,506],{"type":301,"value":500},"Indeed, in psychologist Martin Seligman’s PERMA model of wellbeing, the study of ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":502,"children":503},{},[504],{"type":301,"value":505},"meaning",{"type":301,"value":507}," (the ‘M’ in the acronym) is one of the five vital elements that focus on learning to flourish and having a fulfilling life. Seligman also recognized that finding meaning can be combined with positive emotions and engagement to create authentic happiness.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":509,"children":510},{},[511],{"type":296,"tag":314,"props":512,"children":515},{"alt":316,"src":513,"title":514},"image://d7e4aca3-aa84-4814-a302-5a362d7e7121","Martin Seligman’s PERMA wellbeing model. Image: U3170318, CC BY-SA 4.0 \u003Chttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.",[],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":517,"children":518},{},[519,521,526],{"type":301,"value":520},"In recent years, psychology has recognized meaningful living as being aligned to the degree to which life appears to make sense to the individual, to what extent worthy goals drive them, and how much it matters in the world. A 2019 study on physiotherapy found that ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":522,"children":523},{},[524],{"type":301,"value":525},"forming meaningful goals",{"type":301,"value":527}," is vital for treating clients, especially when combined with mindful listening and reflective practices.",{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":529},[],{"id":166,"data":167,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":19,"reviews":170,"parsed":531},{"data":532,"body":534,"toc":589},{"title":290,"description":533},"If we are going to add meaning to our lives, we need to begin by understanding exactly what it is. Psychologists Samantha Heintzelman and Laura King extensively researched the literature on the subject, attempting to answer the question, How meaningful is life, in general? They identified three components of meaning in life.",{"type":293,"children":535},[536,554,563,572,584],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":537,"children":538},{},[539,541,545,547,552],{"type":301,"value":540},"If we are going to add meaning to our lives, we need to begin by understanding exactly what it is. Psychologists ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":542,"children":543},{},[544],{"type":301,"value":181},{"type":301,"value":546}," extensively researched the literature on the subject, attempting to answer the question, ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":548,"children":549},{},[550],{"type":301,"value":551},"How meaningful is life, in general?",{"type":301,"value":553}," They identified three components of meaning in life.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":555,"children":556},{},[557,561],{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":558,"children":559},{},[560],{"type":301,"value":215},{"type":301,"value":562}," is about cognition. It is vital that the individual understands their lives and that it seems to fit together and make sense – it is coherent.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":564,"children":565},{},[566,570],{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":567,"children":568},{},[569],{"type":301,"value":216},{"type":301,"value":571}," relates to their behavior. Do they feel their life has direction and is motivated by worthy life goals?",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":573,"children":574},{},[575,577,582],{"type":301,"value":576},"And finally, ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":578,"children":579},{},[580],{"type":301,"value":581},"mattering",{"type":301,"value":583}," brings in the emotional aspect. We must feel our life goals, behavior, and actions make a difference – they are significant to the world.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":585,"children":586},{},[587],{"type":301,"value":588},"Without a sense of meaning, for the individual, it could be like being on a ship without having a rudder, floating without purpose or direction.",{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":590},[],{"id":191,"data":192,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":195,"parsed":592},{"data":593,"body":595,"toc":634},{"title":290,"description":594},"Our search for meaning in our lives is typically dynamic and sometimes triggered by an existential crisis.",{"type":293,"children":596},[597,601,606,611,623],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":598,"children":599},{},[600],{"type":301,"value":594},{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":602,"children":603},{},[604],{"type":301,"value":605},"An accident, a serious illness, or the loss of a loved one can prompt our journey to begin, even if we are not aware of when it starts.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":607,"children":608},{},[609],{"type":301,"value":610},"When something goes wrong, or we find ourselves at one of many crossroads in life, we may reassess who we are and what we are doing, and question life’s meaning,",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":612,"children":613},{},[614,616,621],{"type":301,"value":615},"For some, their worst fear may not be death but that they have never really lived – or at least lived meaningfully. Research into ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":617,"children":618},{},[619],{"type":301,"value":620},"terror management",{"type":301,"value":622}," shows that even subtle reminders of our mortality can nudge us toward a search for life's meaning. And a lack of meaning can increase our anxiety toward death.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":624,"children":625},{},[626,628,632],{"type":301,"value":627},"To find meaning requires adopting a ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":629,"children":630},{},[631],{"type":301,"value":202},{"type":301,"value":633},": a subjective, introspective, and self-reflective exploration that will uncover what we don’t want, what we may find meaningful, and what changes may be needed in the future. It requires authenticity, vulnerability, and bravery and is not for the faint-hearted.",{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":635},[],{"id":204,"data":205,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":208,"parsed":637},{"data":638,"body":640,"toc":676},{"title":290,"description":639},"Recognizing our life lacks meaning may be the first step toward creating a more fulfilling one and increasing our well-being. But where do we start?",{"type":293,"children":641},[642,646,658,666,671],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":643,"children":644},{},[645],{"type":301,"value":639},{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":647,"children":648},{},[649,651,656],{"type":301,"value":650},"Clinical psychologist Paul Wong identifies the following 'sources' for a more fulfilling, ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":652,"children":653},{},[654],{"type":301,"value":655},"meaningful",{"type":301,"value":657}," life: achievements, relationships, intimacy, religion or spirituality, self-transcendence or altruism, self-acceptance, and fairness or respect.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":659,"children":660},{},[661],{"type":296,"tag":314,"props":662,"children":665},{"alt":316,"src":663,"title":664},"image://b1305107-d317-4b2b-94f0-6d5bb96d81fb","Clinical psychologist, Paul Wong. Image: Paul T. P. Wong, CC BY-SA 4.0 \u003Chttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons",[],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":667,"children":668},{},[669],{"type":301,"value":670},"That’s a significant list. Yet it recognizes that, while financial and educational resources have a part to play, deep meaning comes from committing to a higher purpose – what that looks like is up to us.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":672,"children":673},{},[674],{"type":301,"value":675},"And while scary, taking the path toward meaningful living has a substantial payback; it is strongly linked to reaching for and attaining valued life goals, improved health, and a higher quality of life.",{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":677},[],{"id":219,"data":220,"type":25,"version":20,"maxContentLevel":19,"summaryPage":222,"introPage":230,"pages":679},[680,730,782],{"id":238,"data":239,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":19,"reviews":242,"parsed":681},{"data":682,"body":684,"toc":728},{"title":290,"description":683},"Finding the courage to align our lives with our core values leads to a more authentic existence and less internal conflict. It improves the quality of our living on a day-to-day basis. And it encourages us to make personal decisions regarding life’s purpose, independent of the environment – including those around us.",{"type":293,"children":685},[686,690,695,720],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":687,"children":688},{},[689],{"type":301,"value":683},{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":691,"children":692},{},[693],{"type":301,"value":694},"Yet it takes courage. Living a meaningful life requires us to do precisely what we are afraid of – act according to our convictions. It is not easy; they are deeply personal and, therefore, subjective. Others will not always share them. However, authentic living means choosing what is important to us, and not adopting others’ priorities.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":696,"children":697},{},[698,700,704,706,711,713,718],{"type":301,"value":699},"French philosopher ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":701,"children":702},{},[703],{"type":301,"value":183},{"type":301,"value":705}," made an important distinction – a meaningful life is not always a happy one. As an atheist, in the 1940s, at a time of great political upheaval, he argued that ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":707,"children":708},{},[709],{"type":301,"value":710},"“if God does not exist, we find no values or commands to turn to which legitimize our conduct.”",{"type":301,"value":712}," Now that’s what we call ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":714,"children":715},{},[716],{"type":301,"value":717},"existential angst",{"type":301,"value":719},"!",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":721,"children":722},{},[723],{"type":296,"tag":314,"props":724,"children":727},{"alt":316,"src":725,"title":726},"image://9cd7f591-0d24-4254-87a6-7e03fc9474e0","Jean-Paul Sartre. Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons",[],{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":729},[],{"id":256,"data":257,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":27,"reviews":260,"parsed":731},{"data":732,"body":734,"toc":780},{"title":290,"description":733},"Ikigai is as much an idea as a way of life.",{"type":293,"children":735},[736,745,750,755,763,768],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":737,"children":738},{},[739,743],{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":740,"children":741},{},[742],{"type":301,"value":283},{"type":301,"value":744}," is as much an idea as a way of life.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":746,"children":747},{},[748],{"type":301,"value":749},"After all, this Japanese practice encourages individuals to find their reason for living by considering the point at which their professional, vocational, and family lives meet.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":751,"children":752},{},[753],{"type":301,"value":754},"If asked, most of us would answer that we prefer a meaningful, fulfilling life – yet we must also afford to live.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":756,"children":757},{},[758],{"type":296,"tag":314,"props":759,"children":762},{"alt":316,"src":760,"title":761},"image://fc56a791-7939-4223-8347-c2a93db0f01f","Graphic representation of Ikigai. Image: This work is a derivative of Ikigai-EN.svg by Nimbosa, an adaptation from works in the PUBLIC DOMAIN by Dennis Bodor (SVG) and Emmy van Deurzen (JPG), CC BY-SA 4.0, CC BY-SA 4.0 \u003Chttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons",[],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":764,"children":765},{},[766],{"type":301,"value":767},"For a balanced yet nuanced view, ask yourself the following four questions: What do I love to do? What am I good at? What does the world need? And, what can I get paid for? The answer to each can create a deeper insight into what you could do that is meaningful to you and yet delivers.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":769,"children":770},{},[771,773,778],{"type":301,"value":772},"Ikigai does not demand a total job change. Instead, existing jobs can be ",{"type":296,"tag":326,"props":774,"children":775},{},[776],{"type":301,"value":777},"crafted",{"type":301,"value":779}," to spend more time on intrinsically motivating activities that leave you more interested and happier.",{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":781},[],{"id":272,"data":273,"type":36,"maxContentLevel":19,"version":109,"reviews":276,"parsed":783},{"data":784,"body":786,"toc":828},{"title":290,"description":785},"Often people who experience near-death experiences report a shift in their values. Typically, they have a higher regard for life and strive to add meaning to their existence.",{"type":293,"children":787},[788,800,805,810,815,823],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":789,"children":790},{},[791,793,798],{"type":301,"value":792},"Often people who experience ",{"type":296,"tag":304,"props":794,"children":795},{},[796],{"type":301,"value":797},"near-death experiences",{"type":301,"value":799}," report a shift in their values. Typically, they have a higher regard for life and strive to add meaning to their existence.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":801,"children":802},{},[803],{"type":301,"value":804},"Visualizing the end of our lives has been shown to have a similar outcome, increasing intrinsic motivation, unselfish behavior, and value-driven living.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":806,"children":807},{},[808],{"type":301,"value":809},"Find somewhere quiet and take a few moments. Imagine in years to come that your life is at an end.",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":811,"children":812},{},[813],{"type":301,"value":814},"At your funeral, loved ones take turns to stand up and talk about you. What do they say? How would you like to be remembered? How would you like to have spent your time?",{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":816,"children":817},{},[818],{"type":296,"tag":314,"props":819,"children":822},{"alt":316,"src":820,"title":821},"image://a7979327-67d6-496e-806f-34b45d490270","A priest reads at a funeral. Image: Brianza2008, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons",[],{"type":296,"tag":297,"props":824,"children":825},{},[826],{"type":301,"value":827},"While the exercise may seem morbid and even a little disturbing, it encourages us to live a more meaningful life in the short time available.",{"title":290,"searchDepth":25,"depth":25,"links":829},[],{"left":4,"top":4,"width":831,"height":831,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":832},24,"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"m9 18l6-6l-6-6\"/>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":831,"height":831,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":834},"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M4 5h16M4 12h16M4 19h16\"/>",1778179343859]