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M - Meaning
Connection Between Meaning and Belonging
A part of being human is the search for meaning and the need to have a sense of value and worth. Seligman (2012) discussed meaning as belonging and/or serving something greater than ourselves. To feel that sense of meaning in our lives, we need to feel that our actions are valuable, worthwhile, and appreciated by others. Being valued and appreciated creates a sense of belonging. Without belonging, it is difficult to find meaning.
For many people enrolled in START services, there have been barriers to achieving this sense of belonging and meaning. We know that people with disabilities experience marginalization and exclusion in many facets of their lives. Brene Brown writes “Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging.” Until we come to understand that imperfection and vulnerability are part of our shared humanity, we will continue to exclude people. Until we come to understand that we are all worthy of love and belonging, people will struggle to find meaning. The goals of our START network are to increase the understanding of our shared humanity and to create communities that foster belonging through accepting and embracing imperfection. This will lead to a place where we all, including people with disabilities, can experience ‘meaning’ on our path toward PERMA.
Seligman, M. E. (2012). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Simon and Schuster.
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