Positive Education

This week's article comes directly from the PEEC website, which is a resource created for teachers by the Institute of Positive Education. We are fortunate enough to have access to this rich resource here at Mount Carmel and draw on it regularly to inform our wellbeing practices. This particular article speaks to the importance of finding a sense of meaning in one's day and I thought it particularly poignant as we navigate a number of global challenges in our world today. It is short and sweet, but I hope you find it interesting and informative. 

Sense of Meaning

This week’s PEEC topic is ‘Sense of Meaning’, which sits under the Positive Purpose domain. A sense of meaning comes from acting in a way that aligns with our core values and contributing to something greater than one’s self. There are four common ‘pillars’ that help make people’s lives meaningful: belonging, purpose, storytelling and transcendence (e.g. spirituality).

Research shows that having a strong sense of meaning is related to positive wellbeing. It gives our lives a sense of fulfilment. We are at our best when we are contributing to something meaningful and purposeful, rather than only pursuing pleasure and short-term desires. It is important, however, not to neglect our own happiness for the sake of living for others. Unhappy people are less likely to help or give to others, which leads to further unhappiness.

We can help our children develop a sense of meaning by helping them identify their core values, recognise what they care about and set long-term goals they can pursue. Working towards goals that aren’t aligned with our deeper values quickly becomes a hollow pursuit. In the face of hard work and tough times, acting in a way that aligns with our core values makes the effort needed to overcome these challenges feel worthwhile and meaningful.

Try this at home: Share with your children what makes your life feel meaningful on a day-to-day basis. What gets you out of bed in the morning? Encourage them to reflect on the things that currently give their lives a sense of meaning; although, it is understandable if their list is more simple at this stage of life as most young people are still searching for meaning. Discuss ways they could search for meaning, reflecting on the four pillars mentioned earlier. Perhaps it’s joining a social club to help them feel a greater sense of belonging. Or maybe it’s identifying a ‘mission’ they are passionate about (e.g. saving wildlife) to tap into a sense of purpose. Help them set some long-term, meaningful goals and discuss the inevitable challenges they will face while pursuing those goals.