2.1 “The Happiest Man on Earth”
Picture This:
You’re an 18-year-old student with a loving family and friends. One night, armed soldiers storm your home, assault you, destroy your belongings, and forcibly transport you to a concentration camp. Upon arrival, your identity is stripped away; you are no longer a name but a number. For three years, you endured starvation, brutal labour, and constant fear. The guards dehumanize and humiliate you; some take great pleasure in doing so. Then, you are forced on a death march through snow and ice. Your toes are frostbitten and your legs are heavy, but you know that stopping means certain death. Somehow, you survive and are liberated. Yet, you are left hollow, having lost family, identity, and years of your life. Despite unimaginable horror, a faint hope stirs that life could still hold meaning.
This is the very condensed story of Eddie Jaku, a Holocaust survivor and the author of The Happiest Man on Earth (Jaku, 2021).
Throughout human history, countless individuals have been subjected to unimaginable cruelty, suffering, and loss through no fault of their own (e.g., survivors of residential schools, domestic and sexual violence, war and genocide). It is understandable how these experiences could lead to despair, emptiness, and, in some cases, a loss of purpose and meaning. Even those who have not experienced such hardship may struggle to cultivate a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Stories like Eddie Jaku’s show that it is possible to reestablish and cultivate meaning and purpose despite immense suffering, injustice, and hopelessness. This chapter will explore:
- The definitions, differences, and connections between meaning and purpose.
- How meaning and purpose serve as the foundation for wellness throughout one’s lifespan.
- Practical and evidence-based ways to identify sources and barriers to achieving meaning and purpose.
