Meaning
"Man's main concern is not to gain pleasure or to avoid pain but rather to see a meaning in his life." - Viktor Frankl
Description of the Sense
Most people in the advanced world have been relieved from true suffering and thus since we have become freed from the struggle for survival, we now find that we have the luxury to devoting more of our lives to the search of meaning.
The sixth sense is a new problem we face, it’s the quest to find something worth living for, something that has meaning and gives us a sense of purpose. Pursuing meaning is obviously no simple task but if we start taking happiness and spirituality seriously we could be on our way to accomplishing finding meaning in the midst of our lives.
By spirituality, Pink does not necessarily suggest religion. In fact it is defined as the concern for the meaning and purpose of life. This quest has become a fundamental part of the human condition. Indeed, our capacity for faith – again, not religion per se, but the belief in something larger than ourselves – may be wired into our brains as it is a need that many individuals across the world have expressed as a priority.
“Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.”
Many things contribute to happiness, among them engaging in satisfying work, avoiding negative events and emotions, being married, and having a rich social network. Also as important are gratitude, forgiveness and optimism.
Across many different realms, there’s a growing recognition that spirituality – not religion necessarily, but the more broadly defined concern for the meaning and purpose of life – is a fundamental part of the human condition. Indeed, our capacity for faith – again, not religion per se, but the belief in something larger than ourselves – may be wired into our brains.
Across many different realms, there’s a growing recognition that spirituality – not religion necessarily, but the more broadly defined concern for the meaning and purpose of life – is a fundamental part of the human condition. Indeed, our capacity for faith – again, not religion per se, but the belief in something larger than ourselves – may be wired into our brains.
Meaning in the Classrooms
Saying thanks is something very simple that could be incorporated into any classroom very easily.
Feelings of gratitude enhance individual’s well-being and deepen one’s sense of meaning.
In my classroom I did this as a journal activity. Every week the students have to write about a moment someone did something for them they were grateful for. The students then share with their partners and often some students will volunteer to share out in front of the class what they were particularly grateful for on that day.
Below is a clip of my class doing this exercise and some pictures of the response to their journal prompts.
Feelings of gratitude enhance individual’s well-being and deepen one’s sense of meaning.
In my classroom I did this as a journal activity. Every week the students have to write about a moment someone did something for them they were grateful for. The students then share with their partners and often some students will volunteer to share out in front of the class what they were particularly grateful for on that day.
Below is a clip of my class doing this exercise and some pictures of the response to their journal prompts.
Connection to Our Lives
We live in such a left brain world and quite frankly there is this whole other world that we must integrate in order to meet the challenges of the next century. I believe that one of the things that every human must fulfill is meaning.
After looking at Pink’s portfolio for meaning, I realized I already did a lot of the things he recommended to do in order to fulfill or satisfy our quest for meaning.
One of the things that resonated the most with me was placing value in what you do making sure you love what you do. I think asking yourself if you had $20 million in the bank, would you continue doing what you do for a living? I think this can make many people reflect on their own lives. We only have one life and while yes we must work to make a living, it is even more beneficial to do something not only that earns you a living but that you couldn’t imagine doing without anyway.
I believe that one of the most important things that he discusses is the “But Out” concept. I feel that this is a wonderful way to eliminate the excuses out of our lives and rework these excuses into something positive. As a matter of fact I practiced this today on my blog :)
We all have our stresses but I think one of the keys to happiness is to also devote one day out of the week to what you really want to do, to spend time with the people that make you happy, that you care about and shut out the things that don't make you happy.
After looking at Pink’s portfolio for meaning, I realized I already did a lot of the things he recommended to do in order to fulfill or satisfy our quest for meaning.
One of the things that resonated the most with me was placing value in what you do making sure you love what you do. I think asking yourself if you had $20 million in the bank, would you continue doing what you do for a living? I think this can make many people reflect on their own lives. We only have one life and while yes we must work to make a living, it is even more beneficial to do something not only that earns you a living but that you couldn’t imagine doing without anyway.
I believe that one of the most important things that he discusses is the “But Out” concept. I feel that this is a wonderful way to eliminate the excuses out of our lives and rework these excuses into something positive. As a matter of fact I practiced this today on my blog :)
We all have our stresses but I think one of the keys to happiness is to also devote one day out of the week to what you really want to do, to spend time with the people that make you happy, that you care about and shut out the things that don't make you happy.