Happiness and the Meaning of Life

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According to Frank Martela, a Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher, finding meaning in life boils down to five words: “Make yourself meaningful to others”.

You can do this by opening yourself up to deep connections with others, your community and your passions.

1. Live for yourself, not someone else’s expectations.

It can be hard to live with purpose if you’re going through the motions, burned out, or filled with resentment because you’re on a path that someone else picked for you. Even a meaningful job like being a doctor can feel empty if your heart isn’t in it.

Before you can give to someone else, you have to understand what makes you happy, and start doing more of it.

2. Become an expert and share your knowledge.

One of the best ways to serve others is to find something that meets three requirements:

  • You’re good at it.
  • It excites you.
  • It has a positive impact on others.

Once you’ve found a job or a hobby that makes you feel fulfilled, put all your focus into becoming an expert in it. Then share it with your community.

3. Practice random acts of kindness.

You should strive to do three random acts of kindness a day. It can be as simple as offering a glass of water to the mailman, spending an afternoon with a grandparent, or helping a tourist find their way.

By doing three random acts of kindness daily, you might develop unexpected deep bonds with others as a result. Here’s how:

Helping people doesn’t just feel good in the moment; it benefits your long-term health, too. Studies show that people who give emotional support to their family, friends and neighbors are more likely to live longer.

4. Be a good neighbor.

“Working together to do something that one would not be able to do alone.” This philosophy can be essential for the good of the whole.

5. Embrace quiet time together.

People don’t need to make grand gestures to be an important part of your life. Being together in silence is enough to make individuals feel connected and loved. Sitting silently with someone can be moments of deep meaning and connection.

6. Practice mindfulness.

Being intentional with your thoughts and actions, you can begin to reduce your stress and increase your happiness through consciously focusing on your state of mind.

Mindfulness is focused around being present in any moment, at any time. It’s the human ability to be aware of where you are and what you’re doing  A key to mindfulness is recognizing emotions or situations without any positive or negative judgment. When you observe rather than judge, you can be more purposeful in what you say and how you say it.

Mindfulness has been proven to be an effective tool for reducing stress and anxiety. If you’re one of the 40 million U.S. adults who suffer from anxiety per year, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) promotes mindfulness as a technique for growth, self-discovery and success.

References:

  1. Frank Martela, I’m a psychology expert in Finland, the No. 1 happiest country in the world—here’s the real meaning of life in 5 words, CNBC Make It, June 9 2023. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/09/psychology-expert-from-finland-the-worlds-happiest-country-shares-the-meaning-of-life-in-5-words.html
  2. Joanne Coffey, How to Practice Mindfulness, Southern New Hampshire University, October 18, 2022.  https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/how-to-practice-mindfulness
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