16 Trends: #13 the search for meaning and balance

Trend 13 is about the way that people are seeking more personal meaning in their lives in response to an intense, high-tech, always-on, fast-moving society.  This reminds me of balanced, one of the IB Learner Profiles.  Balanced people understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance and the part they play in well-being for both themselves and others.

Daniel Pink writes about how autonomy, mastery and purpose are what motivates us, and we are constantly hearing about how people are searching for meaning and purpose in their lives.  Sometimes this can be looking outwards to help others, other times this may involve looking inwards to personal relationships.  People are discovering that money and possessions don't make them happy and that meaning or purpose is more difficult to find than material possessions.

A couple of weekends ago my husband and I, along with several Middle and High School ASB students, took part in a Habitat for Humanity build in a small village about 3 hours away from Mumbai.  Although this came at a very busy time for us (and right before ASB Un-Plugged for me) it was really satisfying to do this volunteer work.  Helping to improve the lives of others is part of ASB's Mission Statement.  Interestingly enough ASB recognizes the importance of balance too.  One of our Core Values is this:

• A balanced lifestyle is the essence of well-being.

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