GIVE UP THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS … and Look for Meaning Instead
Howmany books have you seen with the word“happiness”in the title? A lot, right? It’s such a popular topic because the pursuit, journey, and, ultimately, achievement of happiness is supposed to be the key to a fulfilling life. Happiness is the ultimate human condition; reaching it is our purpose and will bring us contentment. But before you pick up that guide to happiness, there’s some new data you need to pay attention to. Turns out, we’ve been focusing on the wrong goal. More andmore research is supporting the benefit of pursuing a meaningful life over a happy one. Viktor Frankl could be called a leading expert on the topic. Frankl lived through the Holocaust in a concentration camp and saw firsthand how humans deal with unhappy circumstances. As a respected psychiatrist, his observations became the basis for his book,“Man’s Search for Meaning.”Frankl found that the people who stood the best chance of surviving the horrific experience were those who saw some sort of meaning in their lives, even under the bleakest circumstances. For Frankl, this meant providing therapy to others in the camp. As Frankl puts it, once a person finds meaning, they know the“why”of their existence, and they will be able to bear almost any“how.”
Americans do not have a satisfying life purpose, and yet, 60 percent of Americans say they are happy. What gives? It comes down to the pursuit of happiness versus pursuingmeaning in life. It’s the difference between“I’mgoing to buy this dress
because it will make me happy”and“I’mgoing to volunteer at a shelter because it will be meaningful.”Happiness involves satisfying an immediate need, whereas findingmeaning focuses onmaking choices that give us a sense of purpose. Even more telling, the Journal of Positive Psychology found that meaningful acts usually involve giving, but reaching happiness oftenmeans taking. Because of this, leading a meaningful life, while oftenmore challenging, is alsomore satisfying. Is it possible that the pursuit of a meaningful life will lead us to happiness? Absolutely. Just don’t expect it to be an everlasting condition. Think of happiness the way psychologist Frank T. McAndrew does:“Recognizing that happiness exists —and that it’s a delightful visitor that never overstays its welcome—may help us appreciate it more when it arrives.”
In the years since“Man’s Search for Meaning”was written, it seems we’ve forgotten a lot of its advice. The Centers for Disease Control found that 4 out of every 10
THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING THE TOOTH For Dental Patients, It’s the Best Option
Thanks to numerous advances in dentistry, it is much easier to save natural teeth following injury, infection, or other forms of trauma. Saving one tooth, or multiple, has become an ideal result. For patients who desire the best cosmetic and health outcomes, saving a tooth by means of endodontic treatment should be the first option.
benefits of a root canal. This includes letting the patient know root canals are not painful, and discomfort is minimal. Additionally, root canals are typically over and done with in a single appointment. When a natural tooth can be saved and effectively restored, patients can continue to enjoy efficient chewing. Their bite is not altered, and they can apply normal biting force when eating. Essentially, the patient can continue to rely on their teeth as they did before they experienced injury or infection.
Often following trauma to a tooth, many patients are left with the choice of root canal or tooth extraction.
Generally, it’s in the best interest of the patient to pursue a root canal before exploring extraction. The American Association of Endodontists encourage patients to ask their dentist if a root canal is an option as soon as the dentist recommends tooth extraction. Some patients may opt for extraction, over saving the tooth, out of fear. It’s critical for their dentist to discuss the
Another major benefit of saving a natural tooth is appearance. The dental professional won’t have to worry about color matching, and the patient won’t need to fret about potentially having a two-toned smile. A natural tooth won’t look out of place. Not to mention the cost benefits for the patient, who would not have to deal with paying for the artificial tooth.
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