The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness

In a culture focused on happiness, this book explores how to build a more satisfying life through meaning. Many people assume that finding meaning requires exotic pursuits or deep study, but sources of meaning exist in everyday life. Emily Esfahani Smith draws on research from psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and historical and literary figures including George Eliot, Viktor Frankl, Aristotle, and the Buddha. She identifies four pillars of meaning: cultivating connections to others, identifying and pursuing a purpose, telling stories about our place in the world, and seeking out mystery. Smith illustrates these concepts through visits to a fishing village in the Chesapeake Bay, stargazing in West Texas, and attending gatherings where people share experiences of loss. She profiles individuals who have found meaning in unexpected ways, from a drug kingpin focused on fitness to an artist drawing on her Hindu heritage. The book explores how to build a culture that encourages introspection, awe, community, and meaning in daily life.