May struggled with clinical research for a long time, but eventually he gained a new perspective on human beings. According to his viewpoint, people exist in the present moment and are responsible for shaping their own identities. May believed that many individuals lack the courage to face their destiny and as a result, they give up a significant amount of their freedom. By renouncing their freedom, they also avoid taking responsibility.
By refusing to make decisions, individuals lose their sense of identity and feel insignificant and disconnected. On the other hand, mentally sound individuals confront their fate, value their freedom, and live genuinely with others and themselves. They acknowledge the certainty of death and possess the bravery to embrace the present moment. These ideas from Rollo May have piqued my curiosity, prompting me to explore his theory further in my own unique way.
With these, I will be setting aside all other theories. Being biased at this time, I believe it will help further express my appreciation and justify why I like Rollo May’s theory of personality. Initially, I was intrigued by his explanation of personality. Upon my first reading, I realized that my outlook on life can be reflected in his theories. Existentialism: A Reflection of My Life.
Rollo May drew inspiration from Søren Kierkegaard’s works, which challenged the idea of treating individuals as mere objects. However, Kierkegaard also opposed the notion that subjective perceptions are the sole truth. He emphasized the significance of both the person experiencing and their experiences in comprehending human existence. This made me realize that both events themselves and the individuals going through them have a vital role in explaining life.
Growing up, I had a strong belief in the Catholic Faith and always had questions about God and his power. In third grade, during a Religion class, I finally asked my parents about God’s existence and greatness. Now, I have gained some answers to those questions. As May mentioned, the focus should be on existence rather than essence. We are responsible for taking control of our lives and becoming what we aspire to be.
When seeking truth, it is crucial to genuinely and actively live. In my quest for self-discovery, liberty, and genuine accountability, I have developed a greater consciousness of the happenings in my surroundings. I now comprehend that every person holds ultimate responsibility for their own decisions and should not attribute fault to others such as our parents, educators, bosses, God, or situations for shaping our identity and destiny.
“Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.” This statement underscores the significance of individual agency and self-determination in one’s life. However, it is crucial to recognize that “No man is an island.” While I appreciate the value of productive and healthy relationships with others, I understand that my personal journey towards fulfilling my purpose remains a solo endeavor. Although my parents serve as guides and role models, their mere presence cannot dictate the course I take. In numerous instances throughout my life, I envision myself surrounded by supportive friends who accompany me.”
Despite sharing possessions and working towards common goals, having similar interests, and finding joy in life, I recognize that ultimately it is my responsibility to make my own choices. I decide to strive towards personal growth and make a meaningful contribution to society. Life and death are contrasting forces that shape our existence. Based on my observations, in every task – no matter how simple or complex – my sole intention is to honor the gift of life and live it to its maximum potential.
My aspiration is to lead a fulfilling life, and I do not perceive death as my ultimate fate. Currently, my primary objective is attaining eternal life alongside God, who serves as my rescuer. Although mortality is inevitable, dwelling on it merely obstructs me from embracing existence wholeheartedly. I am convinced that humans adapt to the world around them, establish connections as fellow individuals, and acknowledge the value of these encounters. These elements are crucial in nurturing personal well-being, which I actively pursue despite enduring persistent trials thrown by life.
Entering college and enrolling in Psychology has transformed my mindset and approach to achieving life goals. My maturity has grown, and I now strive to meet my family’s expectations, which I willingly accept. While my parents may influence me in pursuing truth, it is ultimately up to me to take tangible steps towards it. I receive emotional support from important people in my life. This decision rests solely on me. Pursuing one’s full potential can bring challenges such as anxiety and guilt.
In challenging times, we face hindrances that impede our ability to reach our utmost potential. Consequently, anxiety and guilt emerge, necessitating the need to confront these emotions for personal growth. By doing so, we can transform these prospects into valuable skills that will aid us in navigating crises and overcoming unsettling feelings such as worries and uncertainties.
During challenging periods, I have realized the significance of having intentions within myself to guide my choices and actions in daily life. Throughout my academic years, I frequently neglected cultivating intentions such as aiming to pass exams, attain high scores, and give my best effort. Consequently, I often experienced failure, which I believe is directly tied to a lack of strong intentions. Possessing firm intentions in life is vital for overcoming feelings of anxiety and guilt. Nonetheless, there are also moments when I am able to embrace pure intentions that bring meaning to my experiences and empower me to make decisions that lead towards a promising future.
Having firm and strong intentions is crucial for maximizing potential and making mature decisions. Care, love, and willpower are more than just empathy-building; they are the fundamental emotions and attitudes that every person should possess. These emotions are associated with the unpleasant feelings that arise when faced with challenges and obstacles.
These three – care, love, and will – are crucial as they bridge gaps that go beyond mere understanding or awareness of others’ emotions. They play significant roles in our everyday lives because they not only cultivate positive and desired reactions or forms of intimate interpersonal relationships, but also serve as the foundation for attaining freedom and facing one’s destiny. As May emphasizes, caring for someone entails recognizing their humanity, empathizing with their pain or joy, guilt or pity. This implies that care is reserved for those deemed deserving and cannot be extended to just anyone, but only to someone who holds great significance in your life.
As active individuals, we should demonstrate care and respect to our fellow human beings. We are all living beings who seek affection and aim to reciprocate that attention. It is important not to restrict or halt this process, even during negative emotional outbursts, as it enables the replacement of negative feelings with positive ones.
Furthermore, the experience of loving someone will always differ from merely caring for them, as caring is the foundation of love itself. Love entails acknowledging a person’s fundamental humanity and embracing aspects that may otherwise be considered unacceptable. Some may argue that discussing such matters is futile because they believe they already comprehend the genuine comprehension of this concept. However, the crucial aspect to consider is that care and love extend beyond mere intimacy or sexual desire; they encompass triumph over all matters on this planet.
Will is believed to come from care and is viewed as the capability to organize oneself in order to progress towards a specific objective. It drives us to undertake actions that satisfy our innermost wishes and ambitions. We frequently remind ourselves that if there is determination, we can find a solution, indicating that we have the ability to develop our own willpower in order to boost self-confidence and self-value, both of which are essential components in forming a resolute and determined intention to take such actions.
There may be times when my willpower is not strong enough to motivate me, but I always strive harder when I realize that achieving my goals will benefit others, not just myself. This drive to avoid any regrets at the end of the day is important.
Freedom: Understanding Our Destiny
The way we personally embrace and exercise freedom in our lives reflects how we can alter or confront our destiny. While attaining freedom is not an easy task, the happiness it brings tells us that we are truly committed to challenging our predetermined fate. However, being free does not simply mean being able to fulfill our own desires and aspirations.
Embracing the enjoyment of positive things in our present lives and not worrying about the unknown future is what existential freedom entails. It requires making choices and taking action, yet we frequently feel confined by our own destinies, which hinders our recognition of our ability to act. Since birth, we have an inherent drive to seek answers regarding the true essence and purpose of life.
The importance of myths in our lives is underscored by Rollo May. He asserts that without myths, we would lack freedom and consequently, our destiny would lose its significance. May further contends that individuals who do not have myths to believe in often seek purpose through religious cults, substance abuse, or popular culture. According to him, myths are not deceitful; instead, they represent conscious and unconscious belief systems that provide explanations for personal and societal obstacles. People employ myths and symbols as a means to transcend their current situations, enhance self-awareness, and establish a sense of identity.
Believing in myths can be harmless as long as it does not negatively affect the individual or society. The myths of May can be seen as similar to Jung’s archetypes, which are universal images that go beyond personal experience. Personally, I have certain myths that I believe contribute to my psychological well-being and open up new possibilities. One theory of personality that I particularly enjoy is the idea of challenging destiny to reach our desired destination and goals.
It appears that we are driven and inspired to confront the challenges of life and find solutions. While I believe in letting destiny shape me, there are occasions when waiting for it to unfold would be a waste of time. I also give myself the freedom to respond as I see fit to life’s absurdities, demonstrating that my path is not solely dictated by destiny. Thus, I refuse to let my perspective on life be determined by fate.
As we challenge our destiny, we gain freedom, and as we achieve freedom, we push at the boundaries of destiny. Currently, my primary mission is to challenge destiny, especially because I am facing numerous hardships in school. However, I acknowledge the possibility that real life begins beyond the confines of the classroom. It will become a larger realm where competitors are present, ready to enhance my pursuit of a well-defined destiny. As a student, I have been seeking answers to understand my true identity and establish strong connections with others. Additionally, I have been searching for things that fulfill my needs, as suggested by various theorists. Nonetheless, Rollo May’s Existential Psychology has helped me comprehend the true essence of living with purpose. Although I express deep appreciation for May’s theory, it has also further intensified my determination to make the most out of life.
Recognizing the importance of my parents living with and supporting me, I appreciate their role as my support system. However, I am aware that I am an individual working towards my own goals. Nonetheless, I acknowledge that I owe them for my existence and upbringing. Additionally, as a friend, I understand the true significance of showing care, love, and kindness to both loved ones and everyone I encounter in daily life. They are truly remarkable companions.
While my best friends are there to support me in both good and tough times, I am careful not to become overly dependent on them when it comes to school assignments, projects, and requirements. This approach allows me to prepare for my future and shape my destiny. As a child of God, I now comprehend the reason why he has bestowed upon me the abilities to succeed in all areas of life.
Prayer is now my most frequently employed weapon when confronting the challenges of my destiny. It serves as my initial defense against the different changes that life presents to me. Existentialism has revealed this truth to me and has also influenced my perspective on previously unclear matters. With these newly formed beliefs, I am devoted to sharing this wisdom in future discussions. “To truly comprehend existence, one must recognize the potential for non-existence.”
Rollo May’s quotation expresses his desire to share his theory and how it can be applied in contemporary times. From his theory, I have learned that existence entails fully experiencing life and allowing destiny to shape our hidden essences. These essences will be revealed when we are ready to challenge our own destiny as we desire. May emphasizes the significance of death in this quotation.
He argued that we can never escape the reality of death, which can come unexpectedly. While May emphasized the inevitability of death, I am not consumed by the fear of dying. Instead, what scares me is the process of dying. However, comprehending death assists me in living a more purposeful life. Facing the concept of our nonexistence is a crucial aspect of living in harmony. It allows us to exercise our autonomy and shape our own future.
