3. Decision Making
Humans need to make decision whether they are aware that they have power or not. Some let others have power or make decisions for them. Decision making will give outcomes to that person's life. It comes with self-responsibility. In many life situations, there seems to be no choices or people's life seems to be controlled by external factors. However, Cognitive Psychology focuses on the power of thought. One still has the freedom to think, to interpret and to perceive the events.
Existential Psychology emphasizes the meaning in life, life awareness and self-responsibility. People can confront pain and death to create awareness for living. Victor Frankl, one pioneer in Existential Psychology, lost his parents, brother, wife and children in Nazi camp while he was imprisoned there. During that painful situation, he still maintains his "spiritual freedom and independence of mind" (Corey, 1996). If humans still believe in their inner power, they will understand that they still have responsibility to make choices. When the person feels that they can make decision, they will gain the sense of power and control. Mental well-being will be maintained even with challenging life events.
Buddhism emphasizes on self-responsibility. Buddhism and Existentialism believes in confronting anxiety, pains and death to create an awareness of living meaningfully in limited one's lifetime. Humans need to manage choices. They can choose what to think and how to react to life events. Buddhism gives moral guidelines for what is good or bad. Humans can choose to think and act which will- affect their karma. The realization of inner control and inner power with moral guidelines will contribute to mental well-being.