- Savor Everyday Moments (previous post)
- Avoid Comparisons (previous post)
- Put Money Low on the List (previous post)
- Have Meaningful Goals
Once again science supports what coaches, healers, counselors and other helping professionals have suspected for a long time. “People who strive for something significant, whether it’s learning a new craft or raising moral children, are far happier than those who don’t have strong dreams or aspirations, ” says Ed Diener and Robert Biswas-Diener.
Harvard’s Resident happiness professor, Tal Ben-Shahar, agrees, “Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable.”
My son just completed a ‘Coming of Age’ class at our church and the students, 9th and 10th graders, presented their faith statements to the church community. I was so proud and encouraged by their statements and how they stressed the importance of living a meaningful life – for themselves, for others and for the Earth.
As an example, Robin Delaquess (age 14) stated in her faith statement, “Do what makes you happy AND go out and do what makes others happy…..” She acknowledged that she’s “not going to save the whole world, but (she’s) going to help slowly and steadily.”
Tyler Hulsey (age 14) shared, “All we need to know is we should make the best of being here on earth and leave it better than we found it to make it better for future generations.”
Robin and Tyler were not the only students who talked about working toward a greater good. It was clear to them, even as young teens, how important it is to have meaningful goals to be happy and to live meaningful lives.
Evidently, we have a lot to learn from 14 year olds.
Next: 5. Take Initiative at Work
*10 things Science Says Will Make You Happy by Jen Angel, YES! Magazine Winter 2009
