Search for Meaning in Life
The search for meaning in life refers to the idea that individuals are strongly motivated to find meaning in their lives, that is, to be able to understand the nature of their personal existence, and feel it is significant and purposeful. Life feels meaningful to people when they can satisfactorily answer the big questions about their lives, such as who am I, why am I here, what is truly important to me, what am I supposed to do with my life. That finding meaning in life is considered a fundamental motivation by some means that human beings must perceive a sufficient amount of meaning in their lives.
In other words, feeling that one’s life is significant,
comprehensible, or purposeful may be
necessary for human psychological functioning.
If the search for meaning in life is an important psychological motivation, it should be important to human welfare. We know with certainty that the presence of meaning in life is related to more well-being in relationships, work, and life in general, as well as to less psychological distress. However, we cannot assume that people who are searching for meaning in life are simply less happy and more distressed. The search for meaning in life might motivate people to immerse themselves in religion, volunteering, wilderness adventures, or philosophy just as much as it might drive them to despair.
http://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/prosocial-behavior/search-for-meaning-in-life/
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Human Odyssey, the Path to Existentialism (HOPE)