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M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych
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M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Dec 16, 2015

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Page 1: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

M4L 2013 Lesson 7Why Meaning Can Make All the

Difference in Your Life© Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych

Page 2: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Overview• Meaning is a Double-edged Sword

• Dysfunctional Beliefs

• Objective vs. Subjective Criteria of Meaningful Living

• The Personal Meaning Profile (PMP)

• Viktor Frankl’s Three Enduring Values

• The PURE Model of Meaningful Living

Page 3: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Meaning is a double-edged sword.

• There are positive and negative sides to almost every human activity.

• Having a strong sense of meaning is not always good.

• A dysfunctional meaning system can do much harm to individuals and society.

• A functional meaning system is our best ally.

Page 4: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Eudaimonic Happiness

Page 5: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Are there objective values?

Page 6: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Dysfunctional Beliefs

• Extremism – radical beliefs• Negativism – holding a negative view towards people and life• Defeatism – “I can’t do it,” “I don’t have a

chance”• Egotism – “what can I get out of the

situation?”

Page 7: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Subjective Criteria of Meaning

• Meaning is whatever you mean.• Meaning is whatever works for you.• Meaning is whatever makes you feel good.• Meaning is doing whatever you love.• Meaning is doing whatever you do best.

(Subjective criteria can get us into trouble, when there is a lack of moral concerns.)

Page 8: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Objective Criteria of Meaning

• Rational – Does it make sense?• Empirical – Is it supported by research?• Ethical – Is there any ethical violation?• Values – Is it consistent with enduring values,

such as goodness, truth, and beauty?• Responsibility – Is it a responsible action with

respect to your loved ones, humanity & ecology?

Page 9: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.
Page 10: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

The Pros & Cons of Self-Transcendence

Page 11: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Self-Transcendence is both a push and a pull.

Page 12: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

All these positive resources can be used for evil ends.

Page 13: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Meaning making can turnWinter into Summer.

Page 14: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Objective Sources of Meaning (Wong, 1998)

• Achievement – Striving and attaining worthy life goals

• Relationship – Relating well to others and community

• Intimacy – Having family and close friends

• Acceptance – Being at peace with oneself

• Religion – Have a personal relationship with God

• Self-transcendence – Losing oneself in serving others

• Fairness/justice – Being treated fairly

Page 15: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Frankl’s 3 Enduring Values

Page 16: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.
Page 17: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

PurposeInvolves:•Life direction •Calling & mission•Worthy purpose & end•Priorities•Core values•A sense of significance•Reasons for living

Page 18: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Understanding

• Understand self and others

• Understand the situation

• Know right from wrong

• Understand one’s role in life

• Achieve a sense of coherence

• Understand the world

Page 19: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.
Page 20: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Responsibility

• Freedom of will• Self-determination• Internal control &

self-efficacy • Responsible to self,

others, humanity, and the planet earth

• Civic duties• A moral agent

Page 21: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.
Page 22: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Enjoyment/Evaluation

• An appreciative attitude

• The natural outcome of leading a purposeful & responsible life

• A sense of well-being, serenity, & contentment

• Feel good for doing good

• Involves reflection and re-evaluation of PURE

Page 23: M4L 2013 Lesson 7 Why Meaning Can Make All the Difference in Your Life © Paul T. P. Wong, PhD, CPsych.

Meaning That Makes Life Better

1. Affirming the intrinsic meaning & value of life

2. Being mindful of the meaning potential of the present moment

3. Maintaining good relationships

4. Doing something creative, productive, & helpful

5. Pursuing one’s calling and dreams