Finding Meaning in Life

Meaning in life is an essential factor in human well-being and when we have a sense of meaning and purpose we are able to more effectively cope with the inevitable challenges of life. So……………..

What can we do to live a meaningful life?

Here’s the 1st step:

Recognize that…….

‘Meaning is not something you stumble across, like the answer to a riddle or the prize in a treasure hunt. Meaning is something you build into your life. You build it out of …your affections and loyalties…out of the things you believe in, out of the things and people you love, out of the values for which you are willing to sacrifice something. The ingredients are there. You are the only one who can put them together into that unique pattern that will be your life. Let it be a life that has dignity and meaning for you. If it does, then the particular balance of success or failure is of less account’ – John Gardner

Most often it’s not an “A-ha” moment but instead meaning is built gradually by the many small choices you make, through the values you choose to express.

What are values?

‘Values are intentional qualities of action that join together a string of moments into a meaningful path’  – Steve Hayes

The difference between values and goals

Unsure about what you value? Try these activities

  1. Valued Living Questionnaire
  2. Values Sort Task by Goodwork Toolkit
  3. Tombstone exercise