4 November 2021
The desire for a happy and meaningful life implies the danger that we seek meaning in being happy.
Huh?
So, what is the difference between happiness and meaning?
That happiness cannot be bought may be an open door. Many purchases, however, are inspired by the desire to experience a moment of happiness. The lovely dress, the cool watch, the ice cream …. fill in the blank.
In a time when everyone is their own happiness’s blacksmith, and we are constantly showcasing our euphoria, we soon find ourselves caught up in the rat race of “who’s happiest here?
No matter how much we want it, happiness doesn’t get planned. Instead, it is a byproduct of the moments we are truly absorbed in something.
Too much wishing hinders us from finding what we really need.
Whereas happiness is more focused on the self, on receiving and having, meaning is focused on giving, on the relationship with something, with others and the other.
Meaning thus arises not when we get what we want but when we live our values and realize relevant goals based on them. Meaning does not arise within us but between us and something or someone else.
Victor Frankl sees meaning as something objective. Meaning arises when we make a change in the world based on our values. No matter how small or large it may be.
From Logotherapy & Existential Analysis, we work with your values to function from your actual being and be able to do that which ultimately makes you happy.