Strivings are an essential perspective of our everyday life. According to Emmons (2005), there two types of striving: personal and spiritual. Both personal and spiritual goals can be combined, and, probably, the spiritual component might make the achievement of any personal goals more fulfilling, provide meaning and significance. Emmons (2005) in his article gives two definitions concerning the two terms mentioned above.
Spiritual strivings “goals that are concerned with ultimate purpose, ethics, commitment to a higher power, and a seeking of the divine in daily experience.” Personal strivings are “typical goals that a person characteristically is trying to accomplish,” such as improve athletic capabilities, meet new friends, and so on. I think it is impossible to separate one from another, and I see the spiritual strivings as a necessary attribute of each person’s life.
Moreover, there are historical examples of how marginalized groups utilized spiritual striving to overcome the struggle during their darkest times. For instance, during the period of slavery, religion was spread among African Americans as it was helping them to find meaning and hope. Spirituality, especially in the form of religion, helps people feel like one single moral community, construct a collective identity. Another example might be the Jewish people that survived the Holocaust with Judaism help: even if it was impossible for Jews to participate in religious activities during the Nazi regime, spirituality still brought hope to millions of people.
In conclusion, I would like to say that personal goals, life meaning, and religion are highly interconnected. From several different perspectives, those concepts make a human’s life complete and give satisfaction. Everyone finds fulfilment in different sources but each human needs the feeling of sense in his life. Even non-religious people might have their own form of spiritual strivings that gives purpose and meaning to their everyday activities and goals.
Reference
Emmons, R.A. (2005). Striving for the sacred: Personal goals, life meaning, and religion. Journal of Social Issues, 61, 731-746. Web.