If you've never heard of the so-called 'self-actualization movement', you're not alone. It was made famous by Robert Bly, author of the classic, Ego is the Enemy, in which he outlined the universal search for meaning. "What is the meaning of life? He asked. If he had been asked the same question 100 years ago, Bly might have said something like, "I don't know, but it's got to be beyond me". This, of course, has nothing to do with the meaning of life today. But understanding that there is no one-and-only meaning of life, and believing that one should seek one's purpose in life, is called self-actualization. 'Self-actualization', which is the ultimate purpose of our human existence, is reached when individuals and societies identify with their 'true self' and pursue their goals with the utmost of self-confidence and commitment. Self-actualization does not mean living a fake life, disconnected from reality, or living for the sake of living. It is the joy of being alive and living a meaningful life. It is the recognition of your value, a sense of pride in your accomplishments, the desire to create and contribute, and the joy of being a part of a community. It is also characterized by creativity, love, compassion, humor, and peace. Bly provides 10 major themes and opportunities for self-actualization. These themes and opportunities include 1. Do What You Love This is the most important of the fundamental activities in the pursuit of self-actualization and takes the form of the pursuit of your true self. Not only can your career help you be who you are but your role models, peers, mentors, and colleagues can also contribute to your success. 2. Become Wise Many, even many great people, are unable to utilize their gifts and skills because they are not wise. We live in an age when people receive very little formal education but they have almost unlimited access to knowledge and resources. How do you become wise? It is by taking a close look at your life and determining how you are spending your time and how you are contributing to the world. A wise person makes decisions based on their highest values and goals and realizes that, in the end, money cannot buy happiness. 3. Create This involves creating a life that is meaningful, satisfying, and creative. The creative process involves many different endeavors. This includes ideas and perceptions, artistic and musical expression, communicating with people, being a good friend, being a loving parent, being a good co-worker, and developing creative skills. Creating a meaningful life requires each of us to become more self-aware, more self-aware of our strengths, weaknesses, and unique capabilities. It also involves some deep contemplation, finding the courage to face our fears, letting go of our assumptions, giving others the benefit of the doubt, learning patience, and letting go of our ego. The creative process requires an open mind and a courageous heart. 4. Be Realistic Realistic means that one should be prepared for all outcomes in life. It does not mean that one should not take risks, nor does it mean that one should be afraid of disappointment. Think about what life might be like if certain things did not occur in your life, but still be realistic about it. 5. Get Help Get involved in community service. The world is a small place and in addition to putting in one's efforts to help others, the world will benefit as a whole. Get involved in the new media, get interested in or become an expert in a particular subject. Going back to what I said earlier about not being a complete human being if he doesn't read, you need to be informed on every aspect of life, be it academic or not. You don't need a college degree to be informed, you just need to get involved. 6. Be Persistent Being persistent means making consistent efforts to accomplish goals. If you make a goal, and you know that it is an achievable goal, why not just do it? Don't be indecisive, it will put you off course. Go after what you want and do not let go until you get it. Be persistent, do not give up, in everything in life you need to be persistent. If you are trying to learn a new skill, do not give up the first time you fail, or the hundredth time, make that hundredth failure worth it, and keep trying until you get it. Be persistent, you will succeed. 7. Read a Book Reading books allows you to discover new things, to be challenged, and develop your mind. You should know the basics of everything, but you should never stop reading and learning new things. For that matter, read as much as possible, pick up any book you can get your hands on. Take books out of your library, buy your books, but do not stop reading. Read a few chapters and do not stop reading. Read in the morning, read in the afternoon, read in the evening, read when you wake up, read when you sleep, read anytime. There is no need to stop reading, it keeps your mind active and it brings you to places you never knew existed, new people, new places, new cultures, new philosophies, etc. 8. Do Something You Like Doing something you enjoy doing, will increase your motivation levels and make your days, even those you have to work harder, and longer, more enjoyable. Be careful when you start something you like doing, you will try to do it as much as you can because you know that it will make your day more enjoyable and fulfilling. Once you do that, you can’t stop doing it, and it will never stop making your life better. Reading is a great example, most people enjoy reading and will do it as much as they can. So do something you like, it will be much better than just thinking. 9. Surround Yourself With Nice People “I’m the happiest man on earth. I have the best family in the world and I couldn’t have done it without you.” —Bill Gates Family and friends are important and most of us need them to live a healthy and happy life. You need to surround yourself with those you love and do the best you can. Make sure they are there for you when you need them. I’m not saying to go against all of your friends and family, but just do the best you can with those you do need to connect with. When you do this, your life will become so much easier and easier. You will no longer spend hours on end thinking about the people you don’t like. 10. Stay Positive Avoid negative thinking and stay positive. It makes a huge difference in your life. Every day, have a new goal, have a different way of looking at life. When you stay positive you will do much better in life. Mentally-challenged people, more than others, see all of the things that they don’t have. When you think positively, you can look at life with a positive, realistic perspective. You won’t waste time and energy on people that you can’t change and in return, you will become more positive in your thinking and your life. Always remind yourself, the sun is going to rise tomorrow. It may not be as bright as yesterday but just think of it as another beautiful day. When you stop viewing the negative things around you as a bad thing, they become positive. They will help to change your life. Try to get away from the thought that something can go wrong. Instead, see everything that comes your way as a good thing. Mental-Health Advocacy Without Medicine So what are some things you can do? Can you find some small positive changes to make? If not, think about ways to support others in their journey to self-improvement. This can be a very rewarding journey for everyone involved. You can also take part in any of the many online courses available on self-improvement. Don’t Just Complain If you don’t like your life, maybe it’s time to think about making changes. But do you know how? If you are unhappy with your life, change the way you think about it. Do you have a creative solution to your life problems? Do you have an idea that you think would change things? It’s up to you to find it. If you want to find a solution to your problems, you need to be open to different options.
