You have strong and coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe. You know where you fit in the larger scheme. Your beliefs shape your actions and are a source of comfort to you.
If the phrase “the higher purpose and meaning of” were deleted, I’d label the above as a strength of mine. I don’t believe that there is “inherent purpose and meaning” in the universe, but I’m entirely fine with the idea that humans create meaning, and I have no trouble being a “good” person even without adding a touch of divinity to my perception of reality. My beliefs about the world and its inhabitants DO shape my actions and ARE a source of comfort to me. However, this strength was still in my bottom five out of 24 possible strengths, likely due to the following included questions:
20. I am a spiritual person.
44. I practice my religion.
68. My faith never deserts me in hard time.
140. My faith makes me who I am.
164. I believe that each person has a purpose in life.
236. I have a calling in life.
66. At least once a day, I stop to count my blessings.
162. I feel thankful for what I have received in life.
234. I have been richly blessed in life.
188. I believe in a universal power, a god.
The person who responded to Jason’s email explained that “VIA's approach to purpose and meaning is simple and does not require a bleif in God...it simply states that we find purpose when we set our signature strengths in play for a purpose greateer than our own self-interest. That could be for others or it could be for a higher power.” (shrugs) I suppose I still think that a sense of purpose shouldn’t be squashed between spirituality and faith. When I took the assessment, I actually tried to see where I could substitute some of my humanist principles for their more theistically worded ones, but it was still one of my lowest rank strengths. I suppose just couldn’t interpret religion, faith, faith, purpose, calling, blessings, received, blessed, universal power, and god liberally enough.
Then again, out of 24 potential strengths, “spirituality, sense of purpose, and faith” was actually only 20. What are the other strengths that I’m apparently even more lousy* at exercising?
21. Caution, prudence, and discretion
Yes… prudent would not be a word to use to describe me. For a rationalist, I’m awfully prone to living my own life as a series of leaps and whims. (shrugs)
22. Modesty and humility
Oh, come on… I’m definitely the most modest person I know! My friends tell me how modest I am all the time! It’s my definitely one of my many best qualities! ;)
Actually, another post I have in the works addresses “atheist arrogance.” It shall be up soon.
23. Citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty
Citizenship and loyalty definitely pulled my scored down on this one. I’m generally okay as a team player (though sometimes grumpy to be on a team in the first place), but I’m bad with the “special status” often given to the people and things honored with citizenship and loyalty.
24. Forgiveness and mercy
(coughs)
So don’t freakin’ mess with me. ;) Apparently, I hold grudges.
* I suppose I could have instead talked about the things that I’m good at but where is the fun in that? Anyway, I have to make strong efforts to raise my modesty score. Didn’t I do an excellent job?? (preens)
