How to Add Meaning to Your Life

When something has meaning, it has a purpose; it is significant. Likewise, a life that has meaning feels purposeful and significant. Scientific studies have shown that those who feel their lives are meaningless are likely to suffer from depression and self-destructive tendencies, while those who feel their lives are meaningful are more likely to have a sense of joy and satisfaction with life. Adding meaning to life is not an exact science, but it is possible to develop a meaningful life for yourself if you are willing to put some time and consideration into the process. Follow these steps to add meaning to your life.


Contemplate your beliefs. Examining the nature of reality is a foundation for discovering your purpose in life, and only when you find a purpose will you feel a deeper meaning of life. Consider the following:

• Higher power. Regardless of your religion (or lack thereof), a meaningful life involves understanding your role in something bigger, whether it be Christianity, mother nature or the universe.
• Human nature. Consider how you feel about the positive and negative aspects of human nature, and what you believe about human equality or inequality. For example, you may believe that human beings are all basically the same, and that they all deserve love and understanding, or you may believe that human worth is individualistic, based on characteristics that you identify as valuable.

Assess your values. Decide what is important to you, in relation to the world as you believe it to be. Things like altruism, honesty, leadership, determination, love, conformity, professionalism, entertainment and wealth are just several varied examples of values that a person may subscribe to.

Identify your purpose. Take into account your beliefs and values, then decide how you may apply those to your lifestyle in a productive (purposeful) way. Your purpose is multi-dimensional, encompassing the many different aspects of your belief and value systems. For example, you may believe in a God and that all humans are inherently equal, and you may value education and sacrifice. Therefore, your purpose may be to teach others, spread your religion, be a student, advocate for human rights and contribute to helping the underprivileged.

Consider the 6 dimensions of wellness and how you might develop each in a way that will increase your feeling of purpose in life. Choose activities from each category that align with your purpose for a well-rounded approach to improving your life's meaning. Note that these categories overlap, and that it is possible to develop more than 1 dimension with the same activity.

• Social wellness involves how you interact with people and how you relate to your community. Activities that fit into social wellness include developing new relationships and volunteering.
• Spiritual wellness has to do with developing your sense of a higher power and defining your moral values. In order to find more meaning in life through spiritual wellness, you may opt to attend church, take a philosophy class or learn yoga.
• Intellectual wellness involves expanding your knowledge, understanding and mental acuity. Any experience that requires you to learn something new or broaden your perspective, such as working towards a goal or going to school, will help develop your intellectual wellness.
• Environmental wellness has to do with how you relate to your surroundings. To add to your purpose in life through environmental wellness, participate in activities like recycling, hiking and gardening.
• Physical wellness encompasses your physical health and fitness. Develop greater physical wellness by exercising and eating healthy foods.
• Emotional wellness applies to your self esteem and how you handle life's stressors. To improve your emotional wellness, get further in touch with your inner self through things like meditation and counseling.

Taken at : Wikihow.com

How to Help Yourself Overcome Grief of Missing a Love/Crush

So, you met a guy that seems perfect. He's sweet, cute, and funny and you start to really like him. Then, something happens, and you have to bear the grief of missing him. Now you feel like your heart is in your throat. What now?

Steps
Breathe. And breathe again. You’re experiencing heartbreak, and yes, it can hurt.


Cry. It’s absolutely okay to cry. In fact, doctors recommend that you don’t hold everything in; keeping grief bottled up inside can actually make it much worse, sometimes even to the point that it affects your physical health.


Let it out. Try writing/typing a letter to him, telling him anything you wish. You don’t have to send it. You could also write poetry or a short story to express your feelings. If writing isn't your thing, painting or listening to music can also help. And when you feel like you're about to explode, simply punching a pillow can be effective release.


Remember that you don't have to call him. You can if you wish, but you can also do a reverse look-up. Go to Google Maps, then type in the number. It should pop up on the map as a place. Then, if you’re going to really write him your letter, or visit him, you know where to find him.


Don’t become obsessed. It can be unhealthy, and if you ever meet him again, it might be weird for him to realize that a crush turned into a full-blown love.


Try someone new. You may want to cling to his memory, but if you can, date other guys, see your friends, hang out with your parents, and enjoy life.


Tips :

• Only send your letter if you really mean it. Because once it's gone, it's gone.
• If you really want to preserve his memory, draw him, write memories down, keep a journal next to your bed. This so when you wake up, you can make a habit of instantly writing your dream down. Yes, sometimes you can remember the dream throughout the day, but lots of times you only can remember it for a couple minutes.
• If you feel so depressed and sad that you start to think of suicide, tell someone IMMEDIATELY.

Taken at : Wikihow.com

How to Be Pretty if You Are Unfortunate With Your Looks

This article should help those who feel really down over their looks.
You should never worry about looks, but it is good to look nice. But, it's good to remember sometimes hormones can make you feel ugly, even if you aren't - and there will always be some people who see pretty things about you, always somebody who will fall in love with you, and always will be something nice about you inside and out. Even if you feel ugly, you're not. But the good thing about this article is that even if you are really pretty, and you just feel ugly - it will enhance your looks and will make you feel much better about yourself. Though, please bare in mind - it's the inside that counts.

Steps

1. Be confident. There is no point sitting in your bedroom worrying over your looks. You can put a change to it and there are ways of bringing in confidence. Walk with your back straight, and don't slouch. Have a positive outlook on everything. Be confident in your looks. You are beautiful no matter what in your own way.
   
   
2. Be clean and hygienic. Bath or shower everyday, and wash hair frequently. Do not leave hair more than 3 days - it could turn very greasy or flakey!
3. Find a different haircut and purchase hair products. Try a hairstyle to suit your face shape - and have it cut at a salon professionally. Not only will this be more accurate, the style will frame your face properly, the stylists will help pick a style with you to suit you, and the products used will be much better. Side swept bangs suit every face shape so they are a safe bet if you are confused. Try an edgy short haircut! Try out products like:
   • • scrunching jelly
     • mouse
     • straightening cream
     • heat protector serum or spray
     • hairspray
     • gel (for wearing hair up)
     • hair accessories
4. Wash face and moisturise. If you wear make-up, remove it properly with make-up remover. Cleanse the face with facial wash (this will help with spots), try a spot cream if you get acne often, and moisturise skin either daily or occasionally.
5. Keep nails in good order. Grow them. But while you're waiting, try dipping them in olive oil each night, this will help build strong nails and heal cuticles. (Be sure the olive oil stays on your cuticles for 2-3 minutes.) Why not jazz them up a it with some pretty pastel-pale colored, sensible nail polishes? French manicure is always most effective. False nails are over-rated in the opinion of many, but maybe file or buff occasionally to also keep them neat.
6. Try a little make-up. If you're under 18, it's best to keep it toned down. If you have acne, then consider foundation - but make sure it is the same colour and tone as your skin, and wear the color powder over the top. For an easier option, apply concealer which matches your skin colour. Try covering under-eye circles in the same way. Add Vaseline to your lips and lightly add pink to your cheeks for a rosy glow (then add a little Vaseline for a 'glow'). Try a little bit of mascara. Don't go as far as false lashes, and make it look natural, yet noticeable. Always make sure you look natural - and don't wear any more make-up than that except from special occasions with your parents approval.
7. Be a nice, sweet person. If you are horrible on the inside, then it will show on the outside. Be nice to people, share your things, and work hard in lessons.
8. Smile. Smiling makes you look more attractive. When somebody catches your eye, sweetly smile. Be polite to people - and nice.This looks a lot more attractive than frowning.Brush your teeth! Try out mints for god breath, and a little teeth whitener but don't over-do it.
9. Dress nicely. Instead of wearing boring trousers, try out skirts (not too short!) and long socks or tights or leggings, but don't look tarty. Alternately, try a classy scarf and some earrings - and if you're sticking to the 'classy' catagory, hoops arent recommended, studs are a better idea.
10. Don't become obsessed with looks. It's what's on the inside that counts.
11. Wash your face twice a day, and moisturise with a good, suitable lotion, and make sure to comb and brush your hair too.
12. Eat healthy and exercise! Stay fit! Make sure to play or get outside atleast 60 minutes a day and eat healthy! Excercise doesn't have to be boring - try swimming, or dancing, or horse riding, or walking, cheerleading, Wii Fit or even yoga or martial arts. Fruits and Greek yogurts help a lot, and try to stay away from fatty foods such as cake, candy, ice cream, etc.
13. Colour co-ordinate your clothes! Wear brown if your eyes are blue, and blue if your eyes are brown, this will make them POP! Opposites attract.
    
    

Tips

• Be classy and unique!
• Be yourself!
• Don't copy others! Remember this quote: "Be yourself! Everyone else is taken." -Oscar Wilde
• Don't compare to models and beautiful people in your life! Everyone has their own kind of beauty, you just have to find it.
• Everyone suits different things because everyones looks are unique. What doesn't suit one girl might suit you. Experiment and don't be afraid to feel pretty within yourself - that's the key: being confident!

Warnings

• Don't over do yourself, make sure you are satisfied with your looks, and if that "certain someone" starts noticing you, say "Hi", don't be shy or he will just move on, and you don't want that!
• Everyone has a different idea of what beauty is. Even if you don't consider yourself to be beautiful, someone does.
• Remember if someone says that you are ugly that doesn't mean it's true.

Taken at : wikihow.com