Life Lesson 13 How do I make life better: Discover meaning-centered pathways to well-being © Paul T. P. Wong

THE OBJECTIVES OF M4L To awaken people from the meaningless existence of everyday busyness and boredom. To awaken people from the meaningless existence of everyday busyness and boredom. To focus on the vital role of meaning in our well-being To focus on the vital role of meaning in our well-being To teach people how to make use their meaning-making capacity to cope with the negatives and to fulfill their full potentials. To teach people how to make use their meaning-making capacity to cope with the negatives and to fulfill their full potentials. To learn how to flourish in spite of fate, circumstances and human weakness To learn how to flourish in spite of fate, circumstances and human weakness To achieve better mental health through meaning and communion. To achieve better mental health through meaning and communion.

Mental Illness in Canada 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. The remaining 4 will have a friend, family member or colleague who will. 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. The remaining 4 will have a friend, family member or colleague who will. Schizophrenia affects 1%, major depression impacts 8% and anxiety disorder 12% of people. Schizophrenia affects 1%, major depression impacts 8% and anxiety disorder 12% of people. 1 in 10 Canadians 15 years of age and over report symptoms consistent with alcohol or illicit drug dependence. 1 in 10 Canadians 15 years of age and over report symptoms consistent with alcohol or illicit drug dependence. 70% of mental health problems and illnesses have their onset during childhood or adolescence. 70% of mental health problems and illnesses have their onset during childhood or adolescence. Young people age are more likely to report mental illness and/or substance use disorders than other age groups. Young people age are more likely to report mental illness and/or substance use disorders than other age groups. In Canada mental illness is the second leading cause of human disability and premature death. In Canada mental illness is the second leading cause of human disability and premature death. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Social malaise Living in a broken and conflicted world Living in a broken and conflicted world Living in isolation and alienation Living in isolation and alienation People will displaced and dehumanized People will displaced and dehumanized Need to restore a sense of personhood Need to restore a sense of personhood Need to restore a sense of communion Need to restore a sense of communion

Meaning is the best antidote

Making life better begins with you

Be the light of the world

Objectives for today’s lesson Gain a better understanding of the concept of well-being Gain a better understanding of the concept of well-being Learn Frankl’s three-factor model of meaningful living Learn Frankl’s three-factor model of meaningful living Learn Wong’s three-factor model of meaningful living Learn Wong’s three-factor model of meaningful living

Total Well-being

Ryff’s Components of Well-being

Only you can stop you from growing

1. Don't compare yourself with others. 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. Enjoy and value every moment of life. 7. Capture every meaningful moment. 8. Pursue a worthy dream. 9. Rejoice in your uniqueness.

FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF Love yourself for your inner qualities. 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. 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. 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. Failure for a noble ideal is more honourable than success through manipulation and ruthless competition.

Your well-being depends on self-acceptance

What is your ultimate life purpose? What is your basic life orientation? Pleasure and excitement? Pleasure and excitement? Money, fame and power? Money, fame and power? An ordinary family life? An ordinary family life? A meaningful life? A meaningful life? Everybody needs a purpose to keep them going forward. Everybody needs a higher purpose in order to grow and develop to their full potential.

ADVANTAGES OF MEANINGFUL LIVING A higher purpose or self-transcendence is essential to well-being. A higher purpose or self-transcendence is essential to well-being. Protects you against adversities and fears Protects you against adversities and fears Avoids the pitfalls of the self-centered pursuit of happiness and success. Avoids the pitfalls of the self-centered pursuit of happiness and success. Happiness and flourishing will sneak in through the back door. Happiness and flourishing will sneak in through the back door.

Awaken a sense of responsibility

FRANKL’S (1985) 3 AVENUES TO MEANING Giving or contributing something to the world through our work. Giving or contributing something to the world through our work. Experiencing something or encountering someone. Experiencing something or encountering someone. Choosing a courageous attitude towards unavoidable suffering. Choosing a courageous attitude towards unavoidable suffering.

Make something with your life

A Defiant Human Spirit

Wong three-factor theory of mental well-being

SOURCES OF MEANING

A Accept the reality B Believe in possibilities C Commit to achievable goals (PURE) D Discover new resources & solutions E Evaluate & enjoy the progress The Pathway of Resilience © Paul T. P. Wong