The Relationship Between Happiness and Meaning

Most people have considered or contemplated what would make them happy and what the meaning of life is. For some it is just a passing thought while others spend hours, days or even years trying to answer these questions. People have found their answers through religion, science, philosophy and even personal meditation. Ultimately, everyone must decide for himself or herself what it is that they want from life Ð'- be it financial independence, vocational success, a close-knit family, a peaceful spirit or any combination of these and other goals.

In his writings about Walden, Thoreau writes, "Most men, even in this comparatively free country, through mere ignorance and mistake, are so occupied with the factitious cares and superfluously coarse labors of life that its finer fruits cannot be plucked by them." Thoreau meant that a person who spends their entire life attempting to acquire more and more and never take the time to enjoy life and its many miracles and pleasures could never feel completely satisfied. Once they have gotten that which they sought out, their satisfaction only lasts until a new goal emerges and the chase begins again. This vicious circle is one that should be avoided, as it cannot bring true happiness but only a false, short-term sense of happiness.

Frankl states, "What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general, but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment." He believes that everyone needs to continually find their own meaning and make their own choices in a given situation as well as be responsible for these choices and the actions associated. Meaning that there is no single, generalized meaning to life nor does it remain constant throughout ones life. A person must discover and rediscover the meaning to their life as it relates to their current circumstances.

For many this quest is daunting and confusing: "What is the meaning of life? Why do we exist and for what purpose? Is there a meaning to life?" Others quickly seek out religion for answers and quickly receive them. All mainstream faiths have included the answers to such questions in their dogmas for centuries making their answers more believable and logical.

There are different ways to find the meaning of life and reach a feeling of happiness, but there is no single correct path for everyone. Everyone must decide for himself or herself