Life’s Essence

Rafael A. George Duval
3 min readAug 12, 2023

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Adlerian psychology is a school of thought and philosophy that opposes nihilism. Regardless of past experiences, the meaning assigned to those experiences determines the trajectory of one’s present life. Adlerian psychology embodies the essence of courage.

“Work” does not solely mean having a job at a company. Work includes managing a household, raising children, contributing to the local community, pursuing hobbies, and all other endeavors. Being beneficial to the community or being of use to someone else gives one a sense of worth. Those who sacrifice their lives entirely for others may have conformed to societal expectations excessively.

Happiness is derived from the sense of contribution. When one has a genuine feeling of contributing, the need for recognition from others diminishes. There is no requirement to flaunt superiority. Our lives exist in fleeting moments, and we can only truly live in the present.

Lifestyle refers to the patterns of thoughts and actions in one’s life. No matter what has happened in the past, it should not dictate how you choose to live. People are not solely driven by their past circumstances but also by the goals they set for themselves. The vital aspect lies not in what one is born with but in how one utilizes their inherent qualities. By living in the present moment, you become the architect of your own life.

Loneliness is not merely the absence of others, society, or community but rather the profound sense of being excluded from them. The feeling of inferiority arises from perceiving a lack within oneself in the present situation. Taking even a single step forward can be intimidating, leading to reluctance to make practical efforts. In our culture, weakness can be transformed into strength.

The fact that some people may think negatively about you demonstrates that you live in freedom. Constantly being preoccupied with how others perceive you signify a self-centered lifestyle centered around the “I.”

Giving praise is a judgment passed by a person of ability onto someone without that knowledge. Being praised means accepting another person’s verdict of “good.” That person’s standards determine what is deemed good or bad in action. The cooperation of others may not always be guaranteed, but it does not define your worth. Only when people feel a sense of superiority can they possess true courage. When one person praises another, it may often be to manipulate someone of lesser ability rather than expressing genuine gratitude or respect.

A life without any problems would lack anything worth pursuing, rendering it meaningless. In other words, the presence of the issues in your life is not an obstacle to a meaningful existence but rather the very essence of it. It is often the challenges and imperfections that make life worth living.

[¹]: The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness

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Rafael A. George Duval
Rafael A. George Duval

Written by Rafael A. George Duval

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