Meaningful Life

last updated 3 November 2020

I was blessed with my first Grandchild and was composing a prayer for his future.
The first thing that poped into my head was a meaningful, fruitful life. I don't know where that came from. It may have been a description of a person who I had admired.
I was looking for a good description of meaningful and fruitful life and I found an article "A Fruitful Life Versus A Successful Life"

I has assumed happy & healthy, but got to thinking I should include that.

My list keeps growing and I need to shorten it by finding terms that embrace several on my list.

long, happy, healthy, full, meaningful, fruitful life, successful, respected, good character, morals, and values; ...

Respect: honesty, moral character,

Happiness vs Joy
Joy: We experience joy when we achieve selflessness to the point of personal sacrifice.

Money - Wealth:
In our capatilistic society many people equate success with money.
Happiness and Success:
I recall a study that showed in business people who have reached the highest level are not as happy as people who have not.
One of the people I admired most was Thomas Jefferson, but he died in debt.

Most people would say that Joe Biden had a meaningful life just by driving Trump out of office, but he failed in 2 presidential runa and had a lot of personal tragedies.
And of course Abraham Lincoln had a series of failures before becoming one of the most respected and honored figures in American life.

Thomas Edison had a long string of failures in trying to create the light bulb.
There are many articles and probably books on failure and respect.
Dwight Eisenhower received a lot of credit for winning WWII, but I recall that he was tormented with the loss of life on D-day.
No pain No gain.
grit and perseverance

Native American values: Love, tolerance, reciprocity, humility, trust, harmony, sensitivity. reverence, respect, and humility in our relationship with nature. The new National Museum of the American Indian's Anishanabe exhibit on the Mall in Washington, D.C. notes the teachings of their Seven Grandfathers include, along with wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty and truth, the teaching of "dbaadendizin—humility" (You are equal to others, but you are not better.)

20 Good Character Traits That Will Help Your Kids Grow Up to Be Happy, Successful and Loved By All - A Fine Parent
Humility, Contentment, Dependability, Grit, determination and diligence, Patience, Honesty, Courage, Compassion, Adaptability, Self Discipline and Impulse control, Kindness to self and others, A sense of curiosity and wonder, Optimism and positivity, Gratitude, Proactive, Endurance, Serenity, Respect, Leading and following.

Character traits at TulsaWorld
Creativity and Inovation to make your life and the world better and more beautiful.

Flexibility and resilience to handle the challenges that life throws his way.
Punctuality, dependability, and thoroughness so others can count on you.
Listening Skills, Attentiveness to enhance learning and show respect for others opinions.
Compassion and empathy to support others in their time of need.
Diligence and thoroughness to complete tasks well.
Others: Loyalty, Courage, cautiousness, orderliness.

At A Fruitful Life Versus A Successful Life Nicole Zasowski says
"What does it mean to have a fruitful life verses a successful life. What does it mean to have a life that is meaningful and not just impressive?"
...
"Success is insatiable. A drive for success leads to a life that always demands more of us. It makes us feel as though we are never enough, and peace never comes. Whereas a fruitful life begins with contentment—contentment about who we are and joy about the unique gifts we’ve were given."

Books:
The Road to Character, Davis Brooks
> Links:
Defining the Successful Child - FamilyEducation
Loss and Renewal | Hidden Brain : NPR
Abraham Lincoln and Failure
Humility vs. Self Esteem: What Do Indian Students Need?
Character traits at TulsaWorld