Goals and meaning by Rhea

Goals and meaning by Rhea

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is one of the best psychologists in the world and his masterpiece Flow is extremely frequently quoted- proof is this obscure personal blog where he is quoted at least fifty times, if you search for his name.

A paradox might be that I did not even finish this fabulous book, for whenever I encounter a book that speaks “volumes” I tend to slow down to near 0 my reading speed, or put it aside altogether, as happened recently with

-          Vernon God Little by the sensational DBC Pierre, winner of the Man Booker Prize

-          Also on standby I have a number of various books-

-          Adventures in the Screen Trade, No Orchids for Ms. Blandish, Lost Horizon

In Flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi writes in a paragraph dedicated to meaning some very interesting thoughts, observations and suggestions.

-          It does not matter what and where the meaning comes from

-          The meaning of life is searching for a meaning

These are not exact quotes, in fact, they might even be what I thought I read, for they have provoked a process that could have altered the words of the author completely.

The fact is that I keep thinking- well, it is not the correct wording, for I happen to come upon the subject, but I do not have it there all the time- about meaning.

Once in a while I am uncomfortable to contemplate an apparent lack of meaning, associated with an absence of “meaningful” goals.

I have passed fifty, so what can be in store-

-          A marathon run?

-          No, that is very unlikely

-          Applying to be the CEO of some important or at least medium sized company?

-          Useless to even imagine that

In fact, the image of Bob Dubois from Continental Drift comes to mind with his breakdown at the age of only 31- I guess- caused by the revelation that all the life he has ahead will be the same, wasted and kind of finished before its time.

A lack of prospect, the certainty that he will never have enough money for almost anything- repairing the house, windows for the winter, skates for his daughter and so on- and that no matter how hard he would try, he can’t provide and take proper care of his family.

From there on, we seem to get a lesson of inflated expectations and be grateful for what you have, because the changes he tries prove disastrous.

In Stumbling Upon Happiness, a classic of psychology, the distinguished Harvard Professor Daniel Gilbert points out a few myths of happiness that we entertain but are proved false in practice, like for instance:

-          Moving to California- or in the case of Bob Dubois to Florida- seems a wonderful change that will increase our wellbeing, but it turns out to have little to no long term effect on our level of happiness

-          If only I could get that great job or I if were to win the lottery prove also to be dreams that once they come true, they impact the happiness, but only for a period of  a few months, after which we return to a “base level of happiness”

Reading, dancing, waiting for good signs from Hannah- all these are meaningful to me, even if it does not sound like saving the world.

Just talking brings me often in a state of flow.

So I just need you to call me or give me the information so that we can chat.

Salud y pesetas