By Patricia Rodamilans, coach.
In our coaching practice we continually meet people asking similar questions and looking for personal answers that serve themselves.
We have always wondered what human beings need to give meaning to their lives.
In Carl Rogers‘ book 'The process of becoming a person’ , I find an answer that helps me to understand the common needs of every human being, regardless of culture, race or religion.
- What is my goal in life?
- What am I working for?
- What is my purpose?
Every individual asks these questions at one time or another in life, sometimes with a serene and meditative attitude, sometimes in the throes of uncertainty or despair. These are ancient questions, which man has asked and answered in every century of history, and which he must ask and answer for himself.
In a study by Charles Morris, he tried to identify the implicit value dimensions that seemed to determine the thousands of individual preferences. Without going into detail, we can observe these common features.
Five dimensions responsible for individual choices:
- Preference for participation in life responsible, moral and self-restrainedThe European Union, which appreciates and seeks to preserve man's achievements.
- The importance of overcoming obstacles that arise. It involves acceptance of change, both personally and externally.
- The value of a self-sufficient inner life and a rich self-perception. A relinquishing of control over others in favour of a deep understanding of self and others.
- The responsiveness to people and nature. Inspiration that comes from an external source, external to oneself.
- Sensory pleasure, enjoyment of oneself. The simplest pleasures of life, the abandonment to the requirements of the world, the free and open attitude towards life.
«It is as if people from different cultures have in common the five main notes of the musical scale on which they compose different melodies».»says Morris: responsibility, self-improvement, self-reliance, receptivity and enjoyment.
