Posts tagged with "Michael Hattwick"

Kicking-Off Your Self-Discovery Journey: 6 Help Tips

Beautiful people do not just happen. The most beautiful people have known defeat, suffering, struggle, and loss and have found their way out of the depths.

Have you ever paused to consider exactly what you want from life? You may have taken this first step toward self-discovery but have not uncovered a path toward achieving your primary goals.

Dreams, personal values, talents, and even your personality traits may not matter much in the rush of daily life. But awareness of these characteristics can give you many insights into your inner self. Day-to-day priorities are important, indeed. But a life that is nothing more than a chain of going through the same motions commonly provides little enjoyment.

If you have reached a point in life where you ask yourself, “Who am I?” Some self-discovery can aid you in getting to know yourself a little better. There is no better time for self-exploration than the present time, so here are some tips to get you started.

Tip #1. Start by visualizing your ideal self. Your life has gone smoothly according to the guidelines parents, friends, teachers, and others have recommended. If that is the case, you might have given your true self little thought. Many define themselves by their relationships with others or the things they have always done, never considering the possibility of anything different. With a clear idea of the things that matter to you or the individual you hope to become, you will continue living for other people instead of yourself.

Tip #2. Try new things. You cannot name many passions. That is OK! If you have not yet done much for yourself in quite a long time, you might not remember what you used to enjoy. Exploring new hobbies, especially ones you have never tried, can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you go for the more adventurous options. If you feel nervous, think of how proud and accomplished you will feel afterward. Over and above teaching you more about yourself, taking safe risks somehow boost your self-esteem.

Tip #3. Explore your passions. Passions help make life meaningful and rich and give life purpose. Living out your passion might involve identifying your desired job and researching the steps necessary for a career change. Or it could be exploring ways to volunteer with your skills as a street medic. Remember that passions can be simple and relate to professional interests. Think about what and how you spend your free time doing daily. What excites you and brings you joy? Taking time to consider what you look forward to and enjoy can help you discover ways to enrich your life.

Tip #4. Evaluate your skills. Most individuals have a particular knack for something or other — home improvement, crafting, cooking, or different skills. As part of the self-discovery process, consider taking some time to consider your distinct abilities and how you can use them. Using your skills hones them, which can level up your self-esteem. Greater self-esteem, in turn, can encourage you to keep exploring these talents and any others you may not have noticed.

Tip #5. Identify what you value about yourself. Your values, or the qualities you view as most meaningful and vital, can tell you much about your nature. These values can help embellish the life you want and the behavior you expect from others. Clarifying your values can help you make sure you are living them out. If you have never taken the time to delve into what principles you find most beneficial, making this a part of your self-discovery process can have many benefits.

Tip #6. Talk to an expert. When self-discovery is overwhelming, and you do not know where to start, talking to someone who understands can provide a safe space to get compassionate guidance. Learn about your true self today with Michael Hattwick and allow him to help you find the direction you need through The ABBA Tradition. The ABBA Tradition is a way of remembering, bringing together the scattered parts of your divided selves, and rediscovering who you are. Michael published “The ABBA Tradition,” a book about the mystical and spiritual tradition that lies deep within and behind Judaism and Christianity. Check out their webpage now.

Final Talk

The process of self-discovery looks different for everyone, but it is generally not something that happens overnight. You have a jump start since you know at least a little about yourself. But it still takes patience and time, just like getting to know someone else. You are in charge of the journey, but feel free to meander off the main path. The more factors you cover through self-exploration, the more you discover about yourself.

Perception Is Reality: 8 Ways For Changing How Others See You

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If you see the glass as half full, you will work from that; at least the glass will always be half full. But what if you turn that adage inside out? What if the fact you are experiencing is partly due to how others perceive you?

A famous brand’s former CEO and Chairman once said, “Leadership is a performance. You must be conscious about your behavior because everyone else is.” This is a good definition of perception.

The question now is, how do you create the “me” you want others to see? How do you change viewpoints?

Viewpoints impact reality. Change how others perceive by following these proven eight (8) tips.

It all begins with behavior. Become aware of your behaviors through the steps below, so you will understand how you are perceived—and how to correct course if needed.

1. Observe how your behavior affects others. Begin by being honest with yourself. Notice how your behavior affects the people around you. How do people react to you? Your conduct may make them feel uncomfortable or pressured.

2. Ask for feedback. Ask those around you how they see you. It takes a lot of courage, and you may get difficult feedback to accept and hear, but it is an essential step in making a new perception.

3. Make immediate behavioral changes. Once you have some basic information, take those small steps toward behavioral change. If you are the type who usually dominates the conversation in groups or meetings, try keeping quiet and taking notes for a change. If you typically hang back and let others take the spotlight, jot down some important points relevant to the discussed topic and speak up. Perceptions will not change overnight. However, you will start to see that others are reacting adversely.

4. Up your visibility. If you want high visibility, you must do what it takes to become visible. Start by volunteering for high-impact projects. Look for a challenging task that nobody wants to take on and that you know it is vital to the company or your boss. Get involved.

5. Seek out cross-functional opportunities. Identify opportunities with other sections that will increase your visibility, such as a task force or a project that will allow you to see and be seen by people you would not meet otherwise. Offer to speak to groups or make presentations inside and outside the company.

6. Promote yourself. You might be the perfect employee in the world; however, if your contributions are noticed, it will not matter. It would help if you had people speaking positively about you and your achievements. It means sharing wins openly to raise your visibility and transferring credits with team members and coworkers. Tell success stories and celebrate accomplishments.

7. Seek out advocates. Seek advocates who will speak up on your behalf by looking for ways to expose your work to corporate leaders. Ask for their endorsement and referrals if you work with vendors or clients outside your company.

8. Promote your brand. You can do this in many ways. Branding “You” can involve anything. As it is said, people’s perceptions of you will not change overnight. Once a change is made, it will only sometimes continue that way. Creating a positive perception of yourself takes consistent action and commitment to refine and develop the image you want the world to see. Commit to making this effort, and look out for motivational books that keep you on track, and you will ignite your growth as a leader. If it helps, you can also check out The Abba Tradition by Michael Hattwick. The ABBA Tradition is a way of looking back on, bringing together the scattered parts of your divided self again, a form of rediscovering who you are. The ABBA Tradition understands reality as consisting of four worlds, four realities, or four realms: Physical, Psychological, Transpersonal, and Transcendent. This is the Worldview assumed in Judaism, Christianity, and the emergent civilizations of the western world, including Modern Science. The ABBA Tradition is about remembering all four. Seen as a whole, the four worlds reveal the Tree of Life, the life-giving tree growing in Paradise, in Genesis and Revelation, the first and the final book of the Bible, the beginning, and the end. The depiction of the Tree of Life is a visual metaphor and representation of the four worlds. The ABBA Tradition is a complete tradition that sees God as Father whose scriptures are written in an alphabetic language. Both Judaism and Christianity are forms of this tradition.

Final Words

Strategically changing your behaviors can change negative perceptions into positive ones. It is well worth the effort, as it will broaden your sphere of influence and unlock new possibilities for your life and career.

Starting Over In Life: Here Are Your 5 Steps To Create The Life You Want

^{Photo by Anna Tarazevich}

Are you exhausted from being held back by your limitations? It is time to break free from them and start living out your best days.

Life comes in seasons. And life changes. Everyone goes through transitions. People go through life changes, whether emotional maturing, aging, spiritual alignment, retirement, parenthood, or entering or leaving a relationship. However, some people embrace change better than others. When change happens, some may wonder how to begin over and make the best of the new circumstances they find themselves in.

Change is inevitable. It often causes people to examine their values or re-evaluate their priorities. And sometimes, it leads them to this question: What should I do with my life? Should I start over in life? Where do I go from here? You are not alone. It is okay not to know where you are going next. It is okay if you still need to have a perfectly outlined roadmap to your final destination.

This article walks you through what it means to start over in life and the queries you should ask yourself. After all, everyone gets one life to live. Humans are all on an expedition to find their best version — but you do not have to do it alone.

5 Steps To Starting Over With Life

You might be ready to dive in and start over. But starting over in life does not mean you have lost everything you have learned, gained, and experienced—quite the contrary. Your experiences have waxed you into where you are now. And today, you are lucky to be wiser than you were just a month ago.

Use what you know best: yourself.

Step 1. Start With Reflection. Before making any changes, you must first understand where you are starting. It can be challenging to sit with your thoughts, but it is easy to let your mind wander. This is because human brains are good at putting up defenses. And so, make sure you carve out the space and time for reflection. Sit down and assess yourself and your life. What do you notice? Consider doing some writing to help capture your thoughts, or you can read a good book on uncovering the meaning of life that asks a person to consider the physical, spiritual, psychological, and transcendent development to encompass what life is. The Abba Tradition’s book, on its theory of everything, focuses on seeing the parts and the whole of who one is. It offers a new way of seeing the reality of who people are and the truth that lies in the worlds they live, hinting that people’s perceptions are different from each other. Hence, how one sees himself may differ from how others see him. There is no surefire way of telling whose perception is correct because there is no “locally real” reality, including how one sees himself.

Step 2. Examine Your Value System. This is a big one. Your values have likely shifted over time. If you are evolving and changing as a human and your circumstances or responsibilities have changed, your values often do, too. It is not that you have an extensive change in all of your values. Still, the relative importance usually varies, and some get left behind in favor of various values that reflect your current circumstance, age, and stage.

Step 3. Revisit And Rewrite Your Goals. Even if you have written a goal, you can continue to commit to it if it no longer sets the path you want to go. It is natural that goals shift and change. You might have yet to think about the personal goals you would like to set for yourself. Take a minute to revisit your goals. They can be lofty goals, too.

Step 4. Have The Courage To Commit To Change. Committing to change is no easy stunt. It takes bravery, courage, and self-awareness. It also takes a level of intentionality. Once you know your values, goals, and where you are starting, it is time to map out your next move. In many ways, this step is more about a perspective shift and mindset than anything. Think of starting fresh. You get to restructure your new life. Encouragement and positive self-talk can be good tools here.

Step 5. Get A Coach. Any amount of change can be adamant. You will need a support system if you plan on starting over in life. Aside from family members, loved ones, and friends, it is advantageous to have counseling from an objective outsider who can aid you reflect on yourself. Someone to help provide impartial advice, confide in, challenge you and help push your growth.

Final Thoughts

It is possible to learn how to start over and make life changes. If you are ready for a new start, there is no better time than now. You can carve a path to a better life and begin to make changes for the better.

The Distorted Looking Glass

Photo by Lamar Belina

The Abba Traditions book on the Theory of Everything posits that people have different perceptions of reality depending on how they see the world. In line with this theory, people may also perceive themselves a little differently than how others do.

Back in 2015, a photograph made its way around the world, astonishing people. “The Dress” photo divided people into seeing a gold-white dress or a blue-black one on a single photograph of a dress. A simple trick of lighting and exposure became grounds for people to question how they perceive and understand reality.

To this day, not many can fully explain how the phenomenon occurred, and the recent physics Nobel prize winners may exacerbate this confusion among people.

The research to explain the complex world of quantum mechanics laid the groundwork to conclude that the universe may not be “locally real.” In this sense, local means worldly objects are influenced by their surroundings, and this so-called influence can’t travel any faster than light.

Additionally, “real” signifies that things have definite properties regardless of people’s observations. For instance, the moon still exists even without anybody looking at it.

People’s Perception of Themselves

This means that objects might not have definite properties outside people’s observation. People might ask how they genuinely perceive themselves and their lives.

In The Abba Tradition’s book on the Theory of Everything, it’s posed that people must consider the physical, psychological, spiritual, and transcendent growth to encompass what life is.

This theory emphasizes seeing the whole and the parts to see who one is. It offers a new way of seeing the reality of who people are and the reality that lies in the worlds they live, hinting that people’s perceptions are different than each other. Hence, how one sees himself may differ from how another sees him. There’s no surefire way of telling whose perception is correct because there’s no “locally real” reality, including how one sees himself.

How One Perceives Himself Differently Than Others

In psychology, this theory is commonly called the “Looking-Glass Self.” This describes the process where individuals base their perception of themselves on how they believe others view them. This process, paired with people’s internalized personal biases, leads to this disparity of perception.

Imposter Syndrome

Ever experienced receiving a compliment and not believing anything the person is saying? “Are they truly describing me?” “Do they think I’m competent in that skill?” This is the typical thought process of people experiencing imposter syndrome.

This refers to the internal experience of not believing that the person is as competent as how others see them, leading to them doubting their abilities and talents. In extreme cases, people may feel like they’re a fraud and experience a subtle sense of dissociation.

The disparity in perception comes from people’s lack of self-esteem, a lacking belief that they’re doing well or better than what they believe. Hence, when people describe them as doing well in certain activities, they tend to perform poorly and prove them wrong.

Unfair Comparisons

Social media’s significant involvement in people’s lives makes them feel an unfair dissatisfaction with how their lives play out. Not realizing or considering that social media users only put out their best experiences, people continue to look at these as how an “ideal life” should be.

This constant comparison causes people distress and thinks of themselves as less on many levels – a misperception of their genuine selves. Simply because they aren’t satisfied with their lives due to social media’s influence, people perceive themselves differently than how they genuinely are.

Confirmation Bias

Over time because of the different situations people have experienced, they may begin to form preconceived notions or characteristics they have associated with themselves.

In line with this preconception, they may interpret the world in a way that confirms the characteristics they have about themselves. People have intensely perceived and believed themselves to be this way. Thus, they only seek affirmations of what they’ve long believed in.

This isn’t an issue if their preconceptions are positive. Such that if they consider themselves to be intelligent or kind, then they will interpret people’s sentiments and behavior around them to be in line with these notions.

The disparity begins if they have extremely negative perceptions of themselves. In this situation, they may think that others also see them in the same light they see themselves.

Self-Rationalization

Some people may want to preserve a good reputation. To do this, they may make excuses for their experiences and behaviors that maintain a positive perception and protect themselves. It’s similar to looking at the situation in a positive light. For instance, they may defend themselves when they fail a job interview or promotion and rationalize they don’t want the position. But more often than not, this rationalization is the complete opposite of what they truly want.

The Greater Good: Why Religion & Society Partnership Matters

The world is a melting pot of diversity in all aspects, and one outstanding aspect is religion. Religion comes in different forms and stems from other traditions. But these should not hinder a beneficial partnership between religion and society.

Individuals stand a lot to gain from their religion. Having a belief, a faith to believe in provides structure and direction to their lives. If this is what an individual can benefit from their religion, think of what this can do to a whole society.

Michael Hattwick’s The ABBA Tradition explores the spiritual and mystical traditions of western religions and modern cultures. It points out the significance of identifying spiritual realities and recognizing the meaning and importance of God’s word and its impact on a person’s true nature.

Society is made up of men. Once religion steps in, a domino effect begins that spreads among all corners of the community, and not one person is spared from its influence. Love it or hate it, religion has a tremendous impact on a society’s social stability.

How Religion Affects Society

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact day when religion began in civilization, but most historians believe that religious movements started coexisting when writing was invented around 3200 BC. The act of writing became an outlet for recording beliefs, superstitions, and spirituality which spun religious movements.

From then on, it became a matter of whose and what religion was the biggest and the most dominant.

Conquerors and colonizers alike occupy lands under the guise of spreading the faith. In the Western world, there was a time when Christianity became the dominating religion. The Asian continent saw the rise of Buddhism and Islam. And from the most prominent religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism came offshoots of other forms of religions such as Protestants, Buddhism, Sunnism, etc.

Religion’s powerful impact on society cannot be downplayed. Or rather, faith’s influence on society cannot be underestimated. One person’s strong belief can move mountains, topple leaders from their position, and even can hold sway over other peoples’ beliefs. If one person can do this, think of what a collective group, such as a society, can achieve.

Religion can change the way people think. Faith can change how people live, which can change a whole nation.

The Importance of a Religion-Society Partnership

Religion is essential to a democracy.

This is the first thing that people should understand why religion should even be incorporated into any community. Faith is more than just a simple belief; it is the foundation of all the characters, values, and principles that makes up a person. The way a democracy works is that it represents and gives way for people to freely express their beliefs, principles, thoughts, and ideas.

But why should religion be incorporated into a society in the first place?

Contribution to the Economy

Religion has a profound impact on a country’s economy, especially when it comes to infrastructure. In the U.S., religion contributes approximately $1.2 trillion in socioeconomic value to the economy. This contribution is categorized into the following: religious congregations, religious institutions and academia, health systems, and faith-based or faith-related businesses.

Faith-based services also cater to those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, marriage counseling, domestic violence, youth welfare, mental disabilities, homeless, senior citizens, immigrants, and fund disaster efforts.

Impact on Education

Religion is all about teaching and learning. Before formal education was even thought of and heard of, the primary educators were usually the head of the family. The instructions passed down back then were almost always linked with the family-based faith and belief. Children were first taught how to read and write religious texts, forming their principles and opinions from religious leaders.

Over the years, education has taken a significant turn. Despite the existence of non-faith-based academic institutions, religion remains a strong influence over the academe, intentionally or not. This is evident in a person’s strong principles when they argue in school papers and debates or advocacy-led programs.

There is also the existence of faith-led academic institutions, which incidentally are also significant contributors to the economy.

Mental Health Well-Being

One of the good things religion brings to a person or a society is that it gives people a structure, a sense of security, or something to believe in. This idea is essential if a person or a community wants to aim for a healthier state of mental health.

Religion helps a community come together. Religious institutions usually provide an avenue where members can socially connect with others. Social engagement inspires trust and motivation, encouraging others to work and cooperate towards the goal of the community as a whole.

As religion encourage a person to grow and become self-empowered, think of what it can do for the whole community. Ultimately, a religion’s presence in a society stimulates mindfulness and unity with the surroundings.

For the Greater Good

Traditions are closely linked with religion. Learning is closely associated with faith. Yes, religion plays a significant role in any society. How they deal with and relate with their community’s existing diverse beliefs will determine their society’s success. In the end, both religious and non-religious, the believers and the non-believers, should and must always work together towards a common goal – a goal created for the greater good.

Ascending the Ladder of Consciousness: Ways to Actualizing Who You Are

Realizing who someone’s truly meant to be is a demanding job. But with Hattwick’s the ladder of consciousness and the tree of life, actualizing this ideal self becomes easier.

The ladder of consciousness and the tree of life is at the center of Michael Hattwick’s book and ideology. He presents these concepts as guides for people’s journeys, helping them identify where they came from and showing them the many ways to reach the direction they’re destined to be in.

Today’s blog will focus on the concept of the ladder of consciousness. This particular ladder may have similar concepts and various perceptions in modern society, but what Hattwick uses is the one from Hinduism. Their ladder of consciousness is one of the most elaborate and detailed maps for awareness, which can help guide people toward liberation. This liberation they’re talking about is regarding people’s concept of self, wherein through this ladder, they’ll be free from what society tells them to be and instead be who they’re truly meant to be.

Besides sharing about the spiritual traditions and culture, the primary purpose why Michael Hattwick wrote The Abba Tradition is to guide his readers in pursuing their natural ambitions and achieving love, especially within themselves. The Abba Tradition may guide people to realize their true and perhaps “elevated” selves.

Going through the multiple realities that Hattwick has mentioned can be a subconscious process. This means not everybody recognizes when they’ll actualize their identities or where they are in the process. However, in modern-day society, this process can be simplified by going through these specific steps:

Define Core Values and Beliefs

Before anyone can step toward realizing their identity, they must first establish what they believe in and the views that make up their perception of life. By defining these values and beliefs, they’re building a solid foundation for their identities and the direction of their lives.

These will also serve as a solid groundwork for people’s personal philosophies, governing their choices and behaviors, which help build their lives. Therefore, defining core values and beliefs makes it possible for people to know where they currently stand compared to their ideal selves and where to steer their lives and their choices.

Grow, Evolve, and Change

One way to help individuals find themselves is by breaking free from convention and the norms they have grown comfortable with. Challenging oneself through new experiences is an excellent means to change for the better. Constant reinvention effectively identifies where and in what version of themselves the individual thrives the most.

When an individual chooses to be stagnant in life, comfort may make them feel as though they have actualized who they need to be. But in reality, this comfort that comes with a familiarity only limits their potential. Additionally, welcoming change allows someone to reevaluate their dreams or the direction of their lives.

Change the Environment

One’s environment influences the person’s life and growth a lot. People are the total of their experiences and a reflection of their environment. This environment isn’t only associated with the physical surroundings a person is enclosed and exposed to. But it also includes the people and circumstances that the individual encounters.

As with plants that can only grow with ample land and with the presence of a caring individual, people will only grow depending on who they spend time with.

This is why people typically get “being with the right and supportive crowd” type of bits of advice when they’re experiencing some challenges in life. A change in one’s environment can positively influence and change one’s life. Hence, a person needs to be with the right people that can help them identify and achieve their ideal selves and lives.

Get Rid of Limiting Thinking Patterns

With the previous point of welcoming change and growth, an adjustment must also be made regarding who an individual thinks they are. It will be tough when one has changed physically and has surpassed previous capacities yet stays in a negative mindset about themselves. This specific mindset negates their newly found, which will still limit their potential and block their way to success.

The first step to eliminating limiting patterns is identifying the instances when they’re done. Constant self-criticism and doubt are some of the few examples of this pattern, which can lead to missing excellent opportunities for self-growth.

Meaning, Realize It!

How can people go about uncovering their meaning? First, there is no single nostrum to the sense of living without purpose. Finding meaning is eventually an individual journey.

People’s life changes and experiences alter as they age. They go through diverse life stages, such as parenting and job shifts, and each step gives them unique challenges and triumphs. They are also likely to undergo multiple losses as they age. They may fail their parents and their associates or generate a sickness. The stereotypical notion of an older adult is of a weak person needing care; nevertheless, aging is not associated with a less meaningful or valuable life.

Motivation is helpful for actions considered dull (e.g., washing the dishes), whereas passion is the driving force for activities that have meaning for people.

Passion can be harmful or optimistic. Ill desires, referred to as compulsive cravings, are inadequate and guide to unhealthful behaviors. These preferences should be avoided. On the other hand, positive, harmonious forces improve people’s behavior and lead to optimal functioning.

Observe One’s Mood

Managing one’s mood can be difficult. However, there are some methods they can use. For example, they can make time for interests and pursuits, get sufficient sleep, exercise regularly, eat healthily, and develop a mindfulness practice through reflection.

Assume Control of One’s Environment

Simple ways to induce a cognitively legible condition would be to manage a static pattern, program time for unplanned tasks, formally schedule rest for workouts and passions and keep clean conditions. In other words, desks are not the area for all those muddy coffee cups.

For example, suppose one has a passion for painting. In that case, they will carve out time to paint, undergo a great deal of happiness when they finish the activity, and may represent that affection in learning their essence.

Learn the Lesson on Bliss

Happiness is a choice. Yes, it is, and anyone can rehearse it. After all, one can override what they were initially taught, which is to play along with the rest of the world. Instead, they must stay calm and comfortable while dealing with conditions that need their awareness.

Follow One’s Talents and Aptitudes

Discovering skills will give importance to one’s life and can lead to finding their purpose. Through this discovery, they can keep themselves busy and see the reality of who they are, who they’re meant to be, and how to live. An example is a book entitled The Abba Tradition by Michael Hattwick, whose emphasis is on relying on the purpose of life and discovering the meaning of life. Through the ABBA Vision, people witness and participate in all four truths of life: Physical, Psychological, Spiritual, and Transcendent.

Make Great References

People should make time with the individuals that add meaning to their lives. These could be anyone from friends to work colleagues.

Set Goals

One wants to have meaning in life by having a plan. They don’t have to sit down for five hours every Monday, setting goals for the rest of the week that they likely would not finish anyway—please, do not do this to yourself!

But do have objectives and a plan for achieving them. It should not be something they hate to do. Instead, they should have an idea of actions they would like to happen in their lives and make a plan for them by writing them down.

Help Others

Helping others helps one feel good, causes them to feel worthy, and gives them a sense of meaning. Giving to others in time, cash, or supporting them in any way is a sure way to provide oneself with purpose in life.

Do Something Different

How about going to a gallery, having lunch at an upscale hotel in one’s hometown, or pampering oneself at home for the day? People are presumably stuck in a routine they think they don’t have the time for. Doing something different breaks the cycle of accomplishing life, allowing them to undergo a break from the model. This also allows people to learn how they are skipping out on some of life’s adventures that matter.

Find Your Purpose

The most liberating thing one can do is find your purpose. This will give one all the meaning they require for their lives. It’s what life is about: discovering one’s purpose and following through by living it.

An individual’s objective is what moves them, awakens them in the sunrise, and gives them vitality. Hence, people must seek their goals with all their souls to reap the advantages of a meaningful life!