Happiness and Meaning in Life
Viennese Viktor Frankl was sent to a concentration camp with some family members and he wrote about this ordeal in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning.” While imprisoned he discovered that others who had meaning in life were more apt to survive. Frankl stated the Nazis could not take away one’s attitude, outlook on life. He met several men who gave up and were waiting to die. Frankl delved into their lives and found out what was important to them, waiting on the outside. For one it was a family member safely tucked away from harm, and the other had a special project that was left unfinished. These two men then became determined to live. The Center for Disease Control said that 4 out of 10 Americans have not discovered their meaning in life and that negatively affects their health. What is the difference between just having happiness or having meaning/purpose in life? You are happy because you have money to buy expensive gadgets and goods. If something took those away, then happiness fades. Having meaning in life is more lasting, not the here and now of happiness without a purpose. Meaning in life is more enduring, things may not be great now, but you are reaching out to others and enlarging your supportive social network. Frankl stated that the more one is focused outside of yourself – reaching out to others – the more human you are. Most people that I interviewed, claimed that they got more out of volunteering, than the recipients did. Since happiness is a more transient feeling there are ways to boost its level every day. Spend your money on having experiences, rather than on more material goods. Think about travel for example. You open your eyes and mind to new cultures, sights and ideas which…
Optimism and Health
Optimism can affect health and reduce stress, according to the Mayo Clinic. A positive attitude is that “you approach the unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way.” One is able to cope better in tense situations when optimistic. The Mayo Clinic said positive thinking may increase the life span, decrease depression, and give one more resistance to colds. A New York University study said that the brains of optimistic and pessimistic people light up differently when subjects thought about the future. They are striving to unravel how much is hereditary and much is due to other factors. Researchers at the University of Penn. are not clear if optimistic people have especially good health because they take better care of themselves or that they have more extensive social contacts which “have been associated with longevity.” Harvard school of Public Health studied optimism and heart disease. They concluded that having a positive outlook could reduce heart disease risk by 50%. Robert Grenfell, director of the Heart Foundation of Australia, said research indicates the link between “psychological well-being” and heart health. People with social isolation have an increased risk for heart disease. Different studies were unclear whether it is the pessimism or depression itself that has a negative impact on health, or is it more due to social ramifications such as a lack of a social network. Also it was mentioned that depressed people may not feel like doing preventative health care measures. Strive to become more of a person who sees the world through rose colored glasses. It may be beneficial to see a life coach or cognitive therapist, who help give concrete steps to achieve a more optimistic outlook on life. Others dive into self-help books for suggestions.
Fighting Sexual Harassment in the Military and at Workplaces
Things are looking more promising for people fighting sexual discrimination or harassment in the military. There are more safeguards now in place for reporting these infractions. My friend was successful with her gender discrimination allegation on an Air Force base and is happy in her new department. One Air Force Region has Special Victim’s Counsel (SVC) which has these important services: Represents just the victim, providing confidential legal advice and assistance. Protects rights and advises on the investigation & prosecution. Attends interviews, hearings and court-martials with the victim. The SVC does not work for anyone else on base and their chain of command is a separate office in Washington DC. The actual report can remain restricted so others can’t see it. In the Office or Job site: If appropriate, speak to the perpetrator or have a co-worker do so on your behalf as in the following situation. The boss in one office was a sports coach outside of the work environment and gave his players mini massages to keep their shoulders and neck muscles relaxed during the game. His employees enjoyed these same quick massages when having a frenetic or stressful day and told him so. A new woman joined this work team and felt like her personal boundary was being invaded and was uncomfortable with these massages. Telling her boss, or having a co-worker tell him that she did not want to be touched would have been more simple. Instead, she went to the HR department and lodged a formal complaint. The boss was reprimanded and had to attend a sexual harassment class. He was banned from touching any employees. The other employees were miffed about losing their mini massages that helped them be relaxed at work and were not happy with how the new employee handled this situation.
Fighting Sexual Harrassment in the Military and at Workplaces
Things are looking more promising for people fighting sexual discrimination or harassment in the military. There are more safeguards now in place for reporting these infractions. My friend was successful with her gender discrimination allegation on an Air Force base and is happy in her new department. One Air Force Region has Special Victim’s Counsel (SVC) which has these important services: Represents just the victim, providing confidential legal advice and assistance. Protects rights and advises on the investigation & prosecution. Attends interviews, hearings and court-martials with the victim. The SVC does not work for anyone else on base and their chain of command is a separate office in Washington DC. The actual report can remain restricted so others can’t see it. In the Office or Job site: If appropriate, speak to the perpetrator or have a co-worker do so on your behalf as in the following situation. The boss in one office was a sports coach outside of the work environment and gave his players mini massages to keep their shoulders and neck muscles relaxed during the game. His employees enjoyed these same quick massages when having a frenetic or stressful day and told him so. A new woman joined this work team and felt like her personal boundary was being invaded and was uncomfortable with these massages. Telling her boss, or having a co-worker tell him that she did not want to be touched would have been more simple. Instead, she went to the HR department and lodged a formal complaint. The boss was reprimanded and had to attend a sexual harassment class. He was banned from touching any employees. The other employees were miffed about losing their mini massages that helped them be relaxed at work and were not happy with how the new employee handled this situation. Tips for…
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