For all of the complaining that I have done about my academic life, I need to do some positive writing as well...
Ryan. M. R & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eduaimonic well being. American Review of Psychology , 52(1), 141-146.
I just read this article and it made me think. It is part of the Work Motivation class that I am taking. Here is how the article concludes:
Perhaps the concern of greatest importance, not only for psychological theorists, but also for humanity, is the study of the relations between personal well-being and the broader issues of the collective wellness of humanity and the wellness of the planet. It is clear that, as individuals pursue aims they find satisfying or pleasurable, they may create conditions that make more formidable the attainment of well-being by others. An important issue, therefore, concerns the extent to which factors that foster individual well-being can be aligned or made congruent with factors that facilitate wellness at collective or global levels. Such research will one would hope, point the way towards means through which individuals can seek hedonic or eudaimonic outcomes in ways that are sustainable in the context of the four billion others who also aspire to be fully functioning and satisfied in this earthly life. p.146
This may be confusing without reading the entire article, but it points to again some of the concepts that were touched on at the conference I was just at and what I believe deep in my soul. I don't want to sound arrogant, but maybe I will...
Is research the way to find the answers to these questions? I don't think so, but maybe there is a way to make a connection?
I see this all so clearly because I just left a meeting with Jeff, Jason, and my brother where were talking about the core foundations of Visio Dei. When God is the center of these questions, we do have guidance on the ways to walk as individuals in connection with community toward discovering not only our role in this earthly life, but also in the bigger picture.
Learner: Our story, God's story, Our culture
Lover: God, One another, the world
Giver: Our character and gifts, As the church, In missional communitas
Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled... blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth... The first shall be last and the last shall be first... trust in God... don't worry about tomorrow... love one another as I have loved you... for God, who began a good work in you, will carry it to completion... folllow Jesus and he will make you fishers of men... freedom for the captives, release for the prisoners, sight for the blind... freedom from oppression... humility... gentleness... truth...
These things are made real in relationship with God and with others, in acceptance that we can't do it on our own, in realization that there is something more... in recognizing what our gifts are (Competence), with the ability and empowerment to use them (Autonomy), and in community with others who are reciprocally seeking Competence and Autonomy towards the kingdom of God (Relatedness)
Thoughts?
I know this was real long, but I needed to get it out and I'm not ready to put it in an academic journal yet.
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5 comments:
traci, i love how you connected all of this together. i remember a course that i took on Art/ literature and music through out history and the common themes and questions and cultural reflections etc. It was fascinating...but the themes in art/ music and literature are often the very ones addressed here in this articcle and by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.I think I like the art/ literature and music language even more tha the the theory language because art, music and poetry..literature.. speak of emotions and conflicts and hope and dreams that are deeper than words... and the Bible even more so....I wish more people really understood what Jesus was saying... but then maybe more people really do...I am beginning to think people are not as ignorant as we think they are... i think people would rather try to invent something close to God's plan but one that still lets 'man' be in charge. That never satisfies and always gets skewed... I am not persuaded that we ever get 'closer as a 'human race' to more wisdom or deeper humanity or even a more evolved church community. it seems to me that each generation gains some in their quest for compassion and service and godliness... and loses some. (Have you seen any great art/ music or literature lately?)and yet- how has compassion increased because of the internet?!
These thoughts do not make me lose hope. They make me trust more that God is weaving everything together in a way that both values and tracnsforms our individual and corporate thoughts feelings and actions, and also to give each human being and each 'people' a chance to live .....fully....It makes me want to spend more time with Him...I still think one of the things missing is in the discussion is what contemplation of the beauty of the earth, and the beauty of the complex design that is earth and humanity, and the eco system...would do for 'advaced thought".... when we contemplate created beauty we can't help but be drawn out of our selves, our brains, our simple or complex solutions and agendas and in to the awesome realization that we did absolutely nothing to create the earth and the seasons and a baby's smile, and brain function itself.. the abiltity to put words together, to care deeply, to love, to live!!!...
I'd love to see beauty meshed in to the 'discussion' for theorists somehow. love, mom
Thanks for your feedback mom! I always appreciate your comments. The beauty of creation is amazing. I love how creative God is and how he gives us the capacity to understand pieces of him.
Maybe someone else will comment as well?
I find it very interesting that these journals would discuss something similar to christian spirituality. Thanks for sharing....
By the way, the complex natural world is amazing to me as well. The interactions that go on in the environment, the cycles, the symbiotic relationships, awesome.
Plus it's pretty...
The God of the Christian Bible often does not respect human autonomy, nor strive to promote human happiness. He often simply demands unquestioning loyalty and obedience, allows those who disobey or show disloyalty to be tortured, and unquestionably deals out enormous amounts of horrible suffering upon many innocent people. A few thousand years after the Bible was written, with our much better understanding of the world it has become clear that all gods are myths. One cannot have a real relationship with a fictional entity; we must find connectedness with each other, and I believe use our skills for the betterment of humankind.
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