How to Find Meaning and Purpose Through Life's Peaks and Valleys

The Sonya Looney Show

How can we find meaning and purpose in our lives? And what does a meaningful life really look like? Woven through personal stories and the lens of science, this episode is a reflection of my own search for meaning - and an invitation for you to do the same.

As I traverse the peaks and valleys of my own journey, racing through YakAttack, the highest mountain bike race on Earth in Nepal, and pursuing a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology, I unravel the threads of resilience, personal growth, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Exploring meaning by investing in understanding our own experiences and storytelling.
• How to find purpose through proactive exploration, reactive experiences, and social learning from others.
• Choosing your attitude and associated actions is deeply meaningful for personal agency
• Pushing limits through challenges like endurance races can facilitate feelings of transcendence and connection.
• Why having a meaningful life is not the same as a happy life.

LINKS:

Watch my TedTalk about defining meaning during YakAttack

Cultivating inner qualities for positive change with Oren Jay Sofer

"Transcend" by Scott Barry Kaufman

Victor Frankl's book "Man's Search for Meaning"