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McAdams studies the stories that

people tell about themselves. We all

write our life stories as if we were novelists,

McAdams believes, with beginnings,

conflicts, turning points, and

endings. And the way we characterize

our past setbacks profoundly influences

how satisfied we are with our current

lives. Unhappy people tend to see setbacks

as contaminants that ruined an

otherwise good thing (“I was never the

same again after my wife left me”),

while generative adults see them as

blessings in disguise (“The divorce was

the most painful thing that ever

happened to me, but I’m so much happier

with my new wife”). Those who

live the most fully realized lives—giving

back to their families, societies, and

ultimately themselves—tend to find

meaning in their obstacles. In a sense,

McAdams has breathed new life into

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