collective consciousness. The combined awareness of all humankind as characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought.

defense mechanisms. An often unconscious mental process that protects or comprises a solution to personal problems.

enlightenment. The elevated state of being free from ignorance and misinformation.

epiphany. The sudden manifestation or realization of the essential nature or meaning of something.

epitaph. A brief statement commemorating a deceased person or something past.

evolution of the species. The theory that all the various types of plants and animals have their origin in other preexisting types and that differences are due to adaptations in earlier generations.

forever. A word redefined for the purposes of this study to represent the entirety of human experience and human existence.

forever character. A state of mind and a way of living that seeks to advance the best qualities within humanity.

forever connection. A constant sense of human belonging that unites all of us into one overall existence.

forever moment. A representation of an individual human life span as it fits within or relates to the greater human equation.

forever perspective. An optimistic and hopeful outlook that permits one to see the infinite possibilities of life and humanity.

forever potential. The unlimited aptitude and endless possibilities of humanity that lead to all human discoveries and all human advances.

forever worth. An enduring personal importance that contributes significantly to the greater good of humanity.

heritage. The transmission of possessions, conditions, or traits to future generations.

human existence. The totality of humankind and all human life, past, present, and future.

human experience. The collection of conscious events and sentient observations that create the fullness of all human life.

humanity. The total race of human beings or the human virtue of being compassionate, sympathetic, charitable, or kind.

humanity's higher callings. Ideal goals that are sought and aspired to by all of humankind; defined in this study as the ongoing pursuits of knowledge, truth, justice, relevance, meaning, and purpose.

infinite regress. Movement backward to the absolute earliest or most primitive state or condition.

inheritance. The acquisition of possessions, conditions, or traits from past generations.

intelligent design. The theory that all life, matter, and everything observable in the universe was created by a designing intelligence.

legacy. Something of consequence that is received from a predecessor out of our past or transmitted to a descendant in our future.

life's decisions. Choices with life-changing consequences that human beings must sometimes make.

metaphysics. The division of philosophy that is concerned with the fundamental nature of reality in terms of time, space, and human existence.

moments. A euphemism used in this study to describe the human life span or condition.

moments of forever. The individual lives of human beings that compose the entirety of human experience and existence.

purposeful prioritization. The deliberate arrangement of actions in one's life, in the order of relative importance, to achieve a desired result.

pursuit of justice. The ongoing human search for an unbiased and perfect standard for equality. Designated here as one of humanity's higher callings.

pursuit of knowledge. Humanity's unquenchable desire to obtain an elevated state of enlightenment and complete understanding. Designated here as one of humanity's higher callings.

pursuit of meaning. The contemplative investigation by humankind to define its overall reason for being. Designated here as one of humanity's higher callings.

pursuit of purpose. Humanity's unending quest to define its rightful place and role in the universe. Designated here as one of humanity's higher callings.

pursuit of relevance. Humankind's introspective attempt to find a genuine state of consequential existence through self-evaluation. Designated here as one of humanity's higher callings.

pursuit of truth. The ongoing human search for an absolute and unwavering moral standard in life. Designated here as one of humanity's higher callings.

self-fulfilling prophecies. The act of influencing our realities through our beliefs and subsequent actions.

self-improvement plan. A structured and formal strategy for personal growth or development.

self-sabotage. A conscious or subconscious action or process that tends to hamper one's personal efforts toward goal obtainment.

sentient. The state of being aware of one's own life, being responsive to or conscious of sense impressions.

tapestry of life. An illustration representing the scale and intricate beauty of human life in totality.