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M4L 2013 Lesson 12 How to live a good life: The Meaning-Centered Approach to Well-Being © Paul T. P. Wong

Overview • M4L is based on the Meaning Hypothesis that meaning is the most natural way to achieve healing and well-being • Summarize the lessons learned in the Meetup • Celebrate the conclusion of this course • Plan for the future

The Objectives of M4L • To awaken people from the meaningless existence of everyday busyness and boredom

• To explain the vital role of meaning in our well-being • To teach people how to make use of their meaning-making capacity to cope with negatives and to fulfill their full potentials.

The Objectives of M4L (cont’d) • To learn how to flourish in spite of fate, circumstances, and human weakness

• To achieve better mental health through meaning and communion

Making life better begins with you.

Be the light of the world.

Awaken a sense of responsibility.

Ryff’s Components of Well-being

1. Discover your true self and accept yourself. 2. Don't worry about being accepted by others. 3. Recognize your intrinsic self-worth as a human being. 4. Do the best with what you have, regardless of circumstances. 5. Do your best in helping others with a compassionate heart. 6. Value and make good use of every moment of life. 7. Capture every meaningful moment. 8. Pursue a worthy dream and follow your own path. 9. Rejoice in your uniqueness.

The Pathway of Resilience A Accept the reality

E Evaluate & enjoy the progress

B Believe in possibilities

C Commit to achievable goals (PURE)

D Discover new resources & solutions

© Paul T. P. Wong

Feeling Good about Yourself • Love yourself for your inner qualities. • Build self-esteem based on your human dignity, self-respect and inner goodness rather than possession, position and pretension. • Measure the worth of your life in terms of what you have given of yourself. • Failure for a noble ideal is more honourable than success through manipulation and ruthless competition.

Advantages of Meaningful Living • A higher purpose is essential to well-being • Everyone has the capacity of meaning-making

• Protects you against adversities and fears • Avoids the pitfalls of the self-centered pursuit of happiness and success

• Happiness and flourishing will sneak in through the back door

The good life is being in the world.