WHAT MAKES A MEANINGFUL LIFE ?. The process of learning how to construct a meaningful and happy life never ends.

WHAT MAKES A MEANINGFUL LIFE ?

The process of learning how to construct a meaningful and happy life never ends.

So what makes life meaningful?

Is it listening only to a certain kind of music?

Is it doing what the popular kids are doing as well?

Is it having a certain hair style or wearing certain clothes?

o Or is it surrounding yourself with people you love and who support you?o Or is it finding out what talents you may want to pursue as an adult?

• We have found that the people who feel most successful in life are the ones who have followed their interests and have actually included what matters most to them in their lives on a daily basis.

• They have a stable base upon which they have built their lives.

• They have constructed a life on a solid foundation of what is meaningful to them and that combines their values and passions.

• As you build your own solid foundation, remember that it is your job to continually reinforce what you believe in and what is important to you.

• Build your life around what makes you special and most importantly what makes you HAPPY.

• Once you have actively begun building your own foundation, you will see how much easier it is to make decisions that reflect your values.

EXERCISE 7WHAT ARE YOUR CORE VALUES?

What are the things you believe in that you live your life by?

What do you value in your life?

What matters to you most in life?

• In a word document write down all the things that represent your foundation and what would make your life meaningful.

• Answer the following questions first, then write a two paragraph essay on your core values.

1. What is happiness to me?

2. What special interests do I have that my friends do not?

3. What is my definition of success?

4. What lasting contribution do I want to make in this world?

*Remember to express any relevant ideas that reflect your highest expectations for your life.*