The first two conditions needed for feelings of meaning and fulfillment to exist in your life were covered in the two previous posts:
-
Being able to feel and give love – belonging.
-
Having and pursuing goals that allow you to use your strengths – being engaged or experiencing flow.
This post describes the third and final condition described by Jonathan Haidt in his book The Happiness Hypothesis, 2006. This condition is:
- Know that you are making a contribution to something greater than yourself.
This might be a political or faith issue or a cause that is important to you. It might be something you do in your professional life or in your personal life. You might be volunteering in the community or active in your church or place of worship. You may be coaching a sports team or involved with scouting for your children.
What you choose in this area will depend on your interests and values. It is something that allows you to use your strengths as you strive to make the world a better place. It provides you the opportunity to live your values by actively participating in something that is important to you.
By establishing the following three conditions, life becomes more meaningful:
-
Connect with others showing compassion.
-
Use your strengths in your professional and/or personal life.
-
Make choices that contribute to something greater than yourself.
In summary, to bring a sense of fulfillment and meaning in your life, commit to getting the right relationship between:
- Yourself and others,
- Yourself and your work or environment,
- Yourself and something larger than yourself.
Happiness will follow. It is a by-product of the choices you are making.
Action Step: To make your life more meaningful, what steps will you take now to establish these conditions?
To your success,
Maurine
