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126 reviews for:
The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness
Emily Esfahani Smith
3.92 AVERAGE
126 reviews for:
The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness
Emily Esfahani Smith
3.92 AVERAGE
Interesting information, thought-provoking, but slow reading.
Better than the majority of "finding meaning" "finding purpose" books I've read mostly because the writing and research is excellent. Great examples and anecdotes. Plus I loved the 50+ pages of notes in the back so I can follow up on bits that particularly interested me.
There is a subtle difference between the question “What is the meaning of life?” and “What is the meaning of my life?” The latter of which has caused me great anguish in recent years. While this book didn’t give me a solution, it did give me tools to help find the answer.
Up until the 18th century, students looked to religion for a greater purpose in life, but then teachers started using philosophy and classic literature to convey meaning. By the 20th century, professors decided that meaning was simply too abstract to teach, that school was for objective learning, and Positive Psychology aimed to help people understand what makes life fulfilling. The interest in happiness has tripled since the mid-2000s, but the sad irony is that chasing happiness has a way of making you more miserable. Meaning and happiness can be at odds. Having children, for instance, is often considered one of the greatest sources of meaning—but those who do report lower levels of happiness.
So how do we create meaning in our lives? Having strong social connections with others is important, as is contributing to society in a meaningful way. Smith provides many examples of how others have achieved this, ranging from helping people get in shape, to helping save lives. Their stories are incredibly moving and reminded me that while my job could be a million times more stressful, I’m also doing something which I believe is a meaningful contribution to society: I’m helping people buy more books, which I sincerely hope will enrich their lives. That being said, I know that I still want to accomplish so much more, and I now understand why.
This book hit me at just the right time and helped reaffirm the belief that life should be fulfilling, that it’s not selfish to strive for meaning, and that in doing so, you can bring meaning into the lives of others.
See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram
Up until the 18th century, students looked to religion for a greater purpose in life, but then teachers started using philosophy and classic literature to convey meaning. By the 20th century, professors decided that meaning was simply too abstract to teach, that school was for objective learning, and Positive Psychology aimed to help people understand what makes life fulfilling. The interest in happiness has tripled since the mid-2000s, but the sad irony is that chasing happiness has a way of making you more miserable. Meaning and happiness can be at odds. Having children, for instance, is often considered one of the greatest sources of meaning—but those who do report lower levels of happiness.
So how do we create meaning in our lives? Having strong social connections with others is important, as is contributing to society in a meaningful way. Smith provides many examples of how others have achieved this, ranging from helping people get in shape, to helping save lives. Their stories are incredibly moving and reminded me that while my job could be a million times more stressful, I’m also doing something which I believe is a meaningful contribution to society: I’m helping people buy more books, which I sincerely hope will enrich their lives. That being said, I know that I still want to accomplish so much more, and I now understand why.
This book hit me at just the right time and helped reaffirm the belief that life should be fulfilling, that it’s not selfish to strive for meaning, and that in doing so, you can bring meaning into the lives of others.
See more of my reviews: Blog // Instagram
The fact that this book has been released on quite a few different editions, each with a different tag line, should have been sufficient warning that this book is more of a literature review written in an entertaining, storytelling style rather than a self-help book on the “how” to build a meaning life. (Taglines includes “crafting a line that matters”, to “true path to happiness” to “finding fullfillment in a world obsessed with happiness”).
The author starts the book with reference to Robert Nozick’s thought experient - the “Experience Machine” or “Life in the tank”. If you could have eternal bliss recreated technologically, would you go for it? Most of us would say no, because that happiness is empty, unearned and lacks meaning. From then onwards, the author spends a chapter on each of the four pillars of meaning - belonging, purpose, storytelling and transcendence.
Each of these pillars are well illustrated using real life stories of those who have found meaning in their lives under each pillar. I would have rated it 5 stars had the author taken an extra step (even if it’s in the appendix) of guiding the readers through a self-reflection on how they can also find meaning under each pillar. The most interesting topic I found was the concept of narrative therapy - the idea that we can edit, interpret and reframe our own narratives - the stories that we tell ourselves about the most key experiences in our lives (particularly traumatic experiences) and how our lives may have turned out differently.
The author starts the book with reference to Robert Nozick’s thought experient - the “Experience Machine” or “Life in the tank”. If you could have eternal bliss recreated technologically, would you go for it? Most of us would say no, because that happiness is empty, unearned and lacks meaning. From then onwards, the author spends a chapter on each of the four pillars of meaning - belonging, purpose, storytelling and transcendence.
Each of these pillars are well illustrated using real life stories of those who have found meaning in their lives under each pillar. I would have rated it 5 stars had the author taken an extra step (even if it’s in the appendix) of guiding the readers through a self-reflection on how they can also find meaning under each pillar. The most interesting topic I found was the concept of narrative therapy - the idea that we can edit, interpret and reframe our own narratives - the stories that we tell ourselves about the most key experiences in our lives (particularly traumatic experiences) and how our lives may have turned out differently.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
made me cry a lot 🥺
