This is the 2nd in a new series about Life’s Meaning and Purpose. We look at some suggestions of how to find purpose and happiness from a UK organization established by members of the academe. Their suggestions are based upon extensive research and data and knowingly or unknowingly are actually founded on genuine spiritual principles.
Three of their fundamental values and some of what underpins them are:
- We can each affect our happiness and the happiness of those around us.There is a wide range of proven actions we can take to boost happiness, both for ourselves and others. Although partly determined by factors outside our control, our happiness is significantly affected by the conscious choices we make and the way we choose to react to what happens to us.
- We need to prioritize the things that cause happiness.Positive relationships are the most important ‘external’ contributors to happiness. We need to put people first and do everything we can to create positive, loving and collaborative relationships in our families, organizations and communities.
- Helping others is essential for a happier society.Self-centered individualism is not the route to happiness. Helping others is of course good for their happiness, but it also makes us ourselves happier and healthier too. Giving connects us together, provides us with a sense of meaning and makes us more accepting of ourselves and others. It creates stronger communities and helps to build a happier society for everyone.
These principles are actually tied to a deeper spiritual truth concerning our true, eternal and inner identity as spiritual beings and are connected to our spiritual nature. Discovering this is the key to finding purpose and meaning to our lives. We will speak more deeply about this over the next two weeks.
