Happiness or hope? If you had to choose, which one do you think is most strongly associated with a meaningful life? That’s the question researchers from the University of Missouri asked in a series of six studies involving over 2,300 participants. The results suggest that hope predicts greater meaning in life. Having a sense of “daily hope” predicted a “daily sense of meaning” independent of other positive emotions as well as a sense of meaning in the future. Overall, hopeful feelings contributed to a sense that life is meaningful today and in the future to a greater extent than happiness or other positive emotions.

You might ask yourself, “Who cares?” Good question. Having a sense of meaning in life has many benefits. It contributes to better quality relationships, greater overall happiness, better physical health, and even higher income. “Hope is one of the things that makes life feel meaningful;” it is a “cornerstone of psychological functioning…[it is] available to people in their everyday lives.”

So, if you want your children and your family to experience all the benefits of a meaningful life, build hope. How can you help your children experience and build hope? Another good question. The researchers of this study offer four suggestions: 

• Take time to pay attention to and appreciate positive moments in your day. Even small positive moments are worth noticing and appreciating. Notice when things are going well. Notice the sunny day, the green lights you catch, the kind gesture of a friend. Noticing small positive moments will foster gratitude and hope.
• Appreciate growth and potential in yourself and others. By recognizing the positive ways in which people mature, grow in skill or knowledge, and improve their abilities, we help to increase hope in our lives. Becoming cognizant and aware of areas in which people exhibit positive growth allow us to realize the ongoing process of growth and maturity that contributes to a more positive future…a more meaningful life.
• Take advantage of opportunities as they arise, even the small ones. Times may seem chaotic, but opportunities still arise. Perhaps it’s simply an opportunity to practice some hobby or skill you enjoy for 15 minutes or an opportunity for a promotion at work. Taking advantage of these opportunities for progress and growth helps create a sense of moving forward. Seize the opportunity and foster hope.
• Engage in caring and nurturing activities for yourself, others, and the world. For instance, taking care of your children, nurturing your relationship with your spouse and friends, planting a tree or a garden, caring for an animal…any activity that invests time and effort into caring or nurturing reinforces hope.  

Gratitude and appreciation for the positive moments of life. Appreciation of growth and maturity that you witness. Seizing opportunities as they arise. Nurturing and caring for yourself, others, and nature. I love these practices, don’t you? Modeling and coaching your children in these practices will increase your joy in the moment and enhance your relationship with your children. More to the point of this study, it will also nurture hope in your children which, in turn, will add meaning to their lives and allow them to experience all the benefits that having a sense of meaning provides.