The power of meaning crafting a life that matters Smith, Emily Esfahani creator author. text bibliography nyu 2017 First Edition. monographic eng
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290 pages ; 22 cm "This wise, stirring book argues that the search for meaning can immeasurably deepen our lives and is far more fulfilling than the pursuit of personal happiness. There is a myth in our culture that the search for meaning is some esoteric pursuit--that you have to travel to a distant monastery or page through dusty volumes to figure out life's great secret. The truth is, there are untapped sources of meaning all around us--right here, right now. Drawing on the latest research in positive psychology; on insights from George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, the Buddha, and other great minds; and on interviews with seekers of meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith lays out the four pillars upon which meaning rests. Belonging: We all need to find our tribe and forge relationships in which we feel understood, recognized, and valued--to know we matter to others. Purpose: We all need a far-reaching goal that motivates us, serves as the organizing principle of our lives, and drives us to make a contribution to the world. Storytelling: We are all storytellers, taking our disparate experiences and assembling them into a coherent narrative that allows us to make sense of ourselves and the world. Transcendence: During a transcendent or mystical experience, we feel we have risen above the everyday world and are connected to something vast and meaningful. To bring those concepts to life, Smith visits a tight-knit fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay, stargazes in West Texas, attends a dinner where young people gather to share their experiences of untimely loss, and more. And she explores how we might begin to build a culture of meaning in our schools, our workplaces, and our communities. Inspiring and story-driven, The Power of Meaning will strike a profound chord in anyone seeking a richer, more satisfying life"-- Emily Esfahani Smith. Includes bibliographical references and index. Self-actualization (Psychology) Meaning (Psychology) Emotions SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / General PHILOSOPHY / Ethics & Moral Philosophy PSYCHOLOGY / Emotions BF637.S4 S6336 2017 158.1 SMI SEL031000 PHI005000 PSY013000 Power of meaning Smith, Emily Esfahani, author. New York : Crown, 2017 First Edition. (DLC) 2016043371 9781846045356 2016010610 DLC 160919 20210519153425.0 19278505 eng