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The Psychology of Everyday Life: Motivation and the Search For Happiness

Positive Psychology

What is meant by the meaningful life?

In the meaningful life, people use their signature strengths to commit and contribute to causes larger themselves. The particular cause does not matter and might include politics, religion, community service, or family. In this way, people gain a sense of belonging to a larger group, cause, or institution and they enhance their sense of self-worth and life purpose. A series of studies shows the relationship between such commitments and life satisfaction. The importance of a meaningful life suggests that a life devoted to self-centered aims ultimately provides limited life satisfaction.



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