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Berry, Anthony C.

College of Education and Social Services

2009

M. Ed.

As humans living in a complex social world, we will all be faced with moments of existential turmoil during our lives; the times when we must take stock and ask the big questions of life. This thesis, written in Scholarly Personal Narrative, will explore one man's journey towards living a more authentic existence. In order to be personally fulfilled in life, Tony Berry asserts that one must be true to the inner voice of the existential conscience. The following concepts will be explored as they relate to living an authentic life: existential philosophy, the influence of media and society, self analysis and reflection, practical application of theory, values, meaning making, purpose, religion and spirituality, love, work life, personal goals, compromise, and free will. These concepts will be framed by the life and personal narrative of the author, in addition to providing scholarly research from the great thinkers of history and the contemporary.