| What is the meaning of life - and could you sum it up in | | | | more energy and focus you'll have to meet your |
| 25 words? What if someone offered you $10,000 for | | | | goals.While the pursuit of power, wealth or fame |
| your best description?The website is running such a | | | | motivates many people, these goals are external, filling |
| contest, and while it may be a marketing ploy, it's an | | | | deficiencies instead of addressing one's needs for |
| astute one. Who isn't intrigued by this question? Who | | | | growth and development.Seven groupings of values |
| hasn't struggled to figure out his or her true | | | | have been universally admired across cultures, religions |
| purpose?Like Arthur Dent in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the | | | | and history: Integrity |
| Galaxy, we wish the meaning of life could be reduced | | | | Generosity |
| to one simple solution: in his case, "42."What if there | | | | Courage |
| are no meanings to life, except those we choose? As | | | | Humility |
| new-age gurus assert, "It's all made up, anyway!" Or, | | | | Compassion |
| as religious doctrines proclaim, "Follow God's will for | | | | Loyalty |
| you. This is the true meaning of life."Between "any | | | | Perseverance3. Answer these questions to define |
| which way you want" and "His way or the highway (to | | | | your true values:1. What do you do at work that gives |
| hell)," many decisions must be made along the | | | | you great satisfaction? What would you continue to |
| way.Even if we turn over some parts of our lives to | | | | do if you weren't paid for it?2. What three personal |
| leaders, religious or otherwise, other parts and | | | | qualities others recognize in you?3. Who are you when |
| decisions remain. What do you eat? What kind of | | | | you're at your best?4. What are the three most |
| work do you do? What about play and having fun? | | | | important lessons you've learned in life?5. What would |
| Marriage and relationships? How do you manage | | | | you like to see on your tombstone that best captures |
| spending and saving?So many decisions, so little | | | | who you really were in your life?6. Cite three small |
| time!What are some of the guidelines for exploring and | | | | incidents that gave you great pleasure today. What |
| giving meaning to your life? How can you decide who | | | | about these events ignited your passion?Once you |
| and what you should be, and which principles will keep | | | | identify what truly matters to you, look at how you |
| you on track?If you clearly understand where you | | | | express these strengths and virtues in your daily life. |
| want to be, you can make sure your actions each day | | | | Prioritize your values, distinguishing the top three to five |
| bring you closer.Here are three key steps to exploring | | | | that are most important to you today.Now, go write |
| meaning in your life:1. Examine your identity. Who are | | | | that 25-word statement about the meaning of life - |
| you? Self-awareness is the cornerstone of emotional | | | | and good luck in winning the $10,000 prize!Patsi |
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