Happiness, meaning, and psychological richness are core approaches to life. How are you approaching your own life?
Self-knowledge can increase our effectiveness in life. In the 5th century BCE, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, a province of Greece, bore this inscription: “Know thyself.
” Twenty-five centuries later, it remains important advice. In his, Warren Bennis stated that knowing oneself “is still the most difficult task any of us faces. ” I agree. We inhabit many roles in our lives; we present different faces.
How do we truly know ourselves? Psychology provides many tools to help us, including, as needed, a variety of therapies. As a cadet at the USAF Academy, my classmates and I were required to have a talk session with a psychologist so that, as future leaders, we would understand the help and benefit psychologists can provide. For insights into one’sWe have different attitudes and emotions.
Do you know your aptitudes? What are your strengths? Your weaknesses? We are shaped byThe more insight we have into ourselves and our behaviors, the higher the probability of expanding our potential and of having a “good life.
” For years, psychologists thought about a good life in terms of either “” or “meaning” or both. For some people, a happy life is a good life. Many things affect happiness. At lower incomes, money is a larger factor.
As income increases, the relationship between money and happiness decreases. Healthy relationships and interactions with others are also key. BeingWhile happiness and “the pursuit of happiness” are important, for some they may be insufficient. What is the nature of “meaning” in how you see your life?
Oishi and Westgate found three common characteristics in definitions of meaning used in research about meaningful lives:“the extent to which life roles and experiences fit together into a coherent whole”If you perceive these characteristics as important to you, then “meaning” may be an important dimension in how you enact your life. For some, a purposive life is a good life. Happiness and meaning are two dimensions by which one may define a good life.
Oishi and Westgate added a third: “psychological richness. ” They suggested that happiness and meaning do not fully capture behaviors and experiences that some may associate with a good life. These are indicative of curiosity, spontaneity, various interesting experiences, and experiences that change one’s perspective. These three approaches to life do not compete with one another.
One is not better than another. You may fit one, two, or even all three. But understanding your approach to life can help to know yourself. How would you characterize how you live your life?
How do you want to live your life: Happy? Meaningful? Psychologically rich? Or a combination of two or three?
Time and situations affect how we move through life. There can be times of greater happiness, feelings of greater meaning, and experiences that are psychological rich. , a book I still cherish. These words resonated with my teenage mind and became my motto for this life: “If I am not I, who will be?
” Grow in knowing yourself. There was a problem adding your email address. Please try again. John Ballard, Ph.
D., is professor emeritus at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and author of Decoding the Workplace. Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist?
Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dreame unveils L60 Series Robot Vacuums with self-cleaning mops and stronger suctionYour ultimate cleaning companion, the Dreame L60 Pro Ultra, can seamlessly move between rooms and furniture without any assistance. Think low sofas, cleaning underneath beds, and those little hard-to-reach spots in your home that you wouldn't normally make the effort to clean — the Ultra can handle it all.
Read more »
These $10 Easy-To-Apple Self-Adhesive Lashes Give You Fuller, Flawless Lashes in SecondsGet fuller lashes in seconds with these $10 self-adhesive falsies from Amazon — no glue needed and perfect for beginners.
Read more »
Judge orders probation, self deportation for Salt Lake man who attacked young doorbell ditcherEmily Ashcraft is a reporter for KSL. She covers issues in state courts, health and religion. In her spare time, Emily enjoys crafting, cycling and raising chickens.
Read more »
DMA’S Go Major Label Route on New Self-Titled Album'DMA'S' is due out Aug. 7 through a new global deal with Wonderlick Entertainment partnering with Sony Music Australia and RCA UK.
Read more »
Lorenzo Lamas finds happiness with Heather Locklear after years of 'trial and error'Fox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
Read more »
Relationships with family and friends are crucial for happiness and well-being.Emotional pain and loneliness can be overwhelming after gray divorce. Research-based steps can help restore hope, well-being, purpose, and happiness.
Read more »