There is a crisis of Meaning in our world today. Many people have told us that they feel overwhelmed, lonely, and unfulfilled. In chasing the “good life,” they have sacrificed their relationships, and their health, and, at the end of the day, still find themselves with lives and work that bring them little joy and meaning. Depression is on the rise and many people simply can’t cope with the pace of change brought on by technological, cultural, and social transformations.
Throughout the many years Elaine Dundon and I have researched, taught, and written about Meaning, people have told us they feel empty because they have lost connections with others due to the transitory nature of life — moving across the country; no longer belonging to or feeling connected to neighborhoods, organizations, social groups, religious groups, or political causes; feeling disconnected from society and fearing that their country is on the wrong track; worrying that terrorists will further disrupt their lives and they will have no one to turn to for help and support.
People have shared with us that they feel empty because they lack purpose in their day, not having an inspiring reason to get up in the morning. They worry about being left behind in the job market as more organizations lay off workers or cut hours and benefits. They worry about the instability of constantly chasing contract or part-time jobs. They feel like they are hamsters on the treadmill of life, running faster and faster and still getting nowhere. Older people have told us they wonder if they should they have done something more or something different with their life. Did they settle for something less than they really wanted or expected in their life?
People have also told us they are feeling overwhelmed with financial pressures, drowning under a stack of bills that can’t be paid, and stressing about family obligations, including wayward teens and elders suffering from dementia. They worry that their unhealthy lifestyles have led to a vicious cycle of obesity, low energy, and depression.
Many people are sensing this emptiness, this existential vacuum, but are not sure what to do about it. Some turn to drugs and other forms of avoidance, some put on a happy face to mask the issues, while others simply withdraw and postpone living a full life. Although not imprisoned with real barbed wire and steel, many people feel like they are “prisoners” in their own lives.
As we have written about for some time now, the solution or antidote is not about the search for happiness or “positive psychology.” Happiness is an emotion that is linked to pleasure but it is fleeting; it doesn’t last. We can share a happy moment when we are enjoying a good meal or a good laugh with a friend, but this emotion only lasts a short time. Sooner or later, we must face and respond to the challenges life throws at us. We must be ready to take on the fullness of life — the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, the pleasures as well as the suffering. As we wrote in The OPA! Way, the ancient Greek philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, wisely taught us so many years ago: life is not about living the happy life; it’s about living the complete life, the meaningful life.
As Viktor Frankl, the world-renowned psychiatrist, existential philosopher, and author of the classic bestseller, Man’s Search for Meaning told me during a visit to his study in Vienna, Austria (importantly, this was also the time when he personally urged me to write our book, Prisoners of Our Thoughts), happiness can not be pursued, it must ensue by committing authentically to meaningful values and goals. And it can only do so by extending beyond yourself, either in service to others or to a cause greater than yourself. In other words, when we put meaning at the heart of our lives, only then will we discover true happiness. Meaning First!
“Happiness must happen, …: you have to let it happen by not caring about it.”— Viktor E. Frankl, M.D., Ph.D., Man’s Search for Meaning
More and more people are recognizing the need to shift from pursuing happiness to pursuing meaning. They are recognizing that the search for happiness will not help them solve the challenges they face or the emptiness they feel. A small but growing Meaning Revolution is taking place around the world as people are beginning to revolt or rebel against this never-ending chase for so-called happiness.
Many people are now recognizing that they need to go back to the basics of life and build a culture of meaning in order to find fulfillment and true meaning. Following our unique OPA! formula offers the first steps in reconnecting with the basics of life to find meaning whatever our personal circumstances:
· Others — finding ways to strengthen our connections and sense of belonging with others using lessons from traditional village life
· Purpose — discovering deeper insights so that we can “know ourselves” and engage with deeper purpose by using our unique talents to extend beyond ourselves to help others
· Attitude — choosing our attitude toward what happens in our lives to build resilience and seek health and well-being in all situations we may face
All three steps will help you on your path to finding deeper meaning in your life and work. Now is the time to join the Meaning Revolution and start to truly live the complete life, the meaningful life!
In this connection, my coauthor, Elaine Dundon, and I invite you to stay tuned for more guidance, including inspirational stories and the results of our research, on the human quest for meaning. We’re excited to announce that we will be contributing to the Thrive Journal on a regular basis, so this piece is just the beginning of a long-term, meaningful engagement between us! Indeed, we look forward to receiving your feedback and questions as we experience our odyssey to meaning together! OPA!
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Dr. Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon, are co-authors of two international best-selling books on Meaning, Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl’s Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work and The OPA! Way: Finding Joy & Meaning in Everyday Life & Work, as well as are co-founders of the Global Meaning Institute and co-creators of MEANINGology, the study and practice of meaning in life, work, and society.
Originally published at medium.com