“This above all: to thine own self be true” William Shakespeare Whilst working in an NHS adult mental health service as a clinical psychologist I was once referred a man with depression. Let’s call him Peter. Peter and his wife had chosen not to have children and instead had pursued … Continue reading
It’s seems to me to be part of human nature to at some stage question the point of one’s life, and even whether or not it is worth living. If and when this time comes for you, there is something I want you to think about. I want you to consider the virtually infinite number … Continue reading
A meaningful life is surely pleasurable – but should pleasure be an end goal in itself? Well the hedonists of ancient Greece certainly thought so. Hedonism argues that pleasure is the most important goal in life. A hedonist strives to maximize pleasure and to minimise pain. That’s not to say that we should seek out … Continue reading
“To create something new, something that rings with novelty or beauty and harmony is a powerful antidote to a sense of meaninglessness” Irvin Yalom It’s not abundantly clear to me why creativity is so closely connected to meaning. But it seems that a life more meaningful is indeed a life more creative. Irvin Yalom, the … Continue reading
We may not dwell on it day in, day out, but we all need meaning. In fact it seems man has a need for meaning in his life almost as surely as he has a need for food and for water. Sure, many people manage to plod through much of their lives relatively unaffected by … Continue reading
‘This – is now my way – where is yours?’ Thus did I answer those who asked me ‘the way’. For the way – it doth not exist! … Continue reading
What do we mean by meaning? Very generally there seem to be two main ways of thinking about meaning. There is the need to find meaning in one’s own life. These are the things that make living worthwhile. For some people this might be having purpose or direction, and having a life that, for whatever reason, results … Continue reading
