Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

— Helen Keller

Questions relating to purpose are among the deepest and most profound we can ask. Answers to such questions are often elusive, but are easier to find when we ask the question in the most helpful way. Take a moment to consider this question: “What is the meaning of life?” You might be thinking, “What do you mean by that?” It’s a fairly nebulous question, and one that could yield all kinds of answers, or maybe none at all.

“What is the meaning of life?” with this one: “What should I do to live a fulfilling and meaningful life?” Both questions relate to purpose, though as explained by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, the first is asking about the purpose of life (“Why are we here?”) while the second deals with purpose within life (“How ought I to live?”).

Researchers in the area of positive psychology, for example, have begun to elucidate the key components of human flourishing, including how a stronger sense of life purpose contributes to well-being. For these reasons,