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Positive psychology, a new field of research into the good life, well-being, and happiness, provides a wealth of useful information for personal development and growth.
The new and rapidly growing field of Positive Psychology is shedding light on what makes us happy, the pursuit of happiness, and how we can lead more fulfilling, satisfying lives. For many years, the field of psychology concentrated on mental illness. Since Martin Seligman's landmark book, Authentic Happiness, this new and exciting branch of psychology is focusing on the good life, happiness, and well-being--what it is and how we can pursue the good life with greater success.
Popular psychology literature, often termed pop-psychology, reflects advice and suggestions based largely on anecdotal evidence and the beliefs of the individual author.
In contrast, the science of positive psychology investigates potential concepts with thorough and statistically sound experiments. Investigation results are subject to peer review and stringent standards. Because of this, recommendations and findings of positive psychology researchers are more likely to be helpful and useable.
Many of the concepts and ideas of pop-psychology may turn out to be validated by research and concepts once dismissed may turn out to be of great value.
Though not a psychologist by training, I am deeply interested in the information coming out of positive psychology research as it applies to personal development. The information in my weekly Blog, Good Life Tips, is drawn from readings and coursework of positive psychology. Many of my articles are based on concepts I've learned from my positive psychology studies.
We all know that some people are naturally happier than others. You probably know someone who seems to be happy most of the time, who bounces back from set-backs quickly, and is often looking for the bright side of situations. Research is showing us that we can all do things that move our natural level of happiness farther up the happiness scale. Perhaps forty percent of our total happiness opportunity is within our control--forty percent gives us lots of room to grow toward greater and more consistent happiness.
For example, try the Good Things activity for one week. Each evening before bedtime, recall three good things that happened to you that day. These don't have to be earth-shattering or dramatic events. Simple gratifying events such as finishing a report that was due, completing a household chore or repair, finding a good book to read from your library, having a satisfying meal, or just being alive all qualify as good things.
For good measure, savor each event. Let it roll around in your mind for a time, "tasting" its goodness and allowing the good feeling to embrace you. Research indicates this activity correlates with greater feelings of happiness. I feel better after doing this and I predict you will too.
For more of these direct and easy-to-integrate tips, follow my weekly Blog postings titled Good Life Tips.
Related Articles:
Dan Gilbert, Stumbling on Happiness
Kindness = Mental/Physical Health
More related material under Positive Psychology Tips and Tools in the index.
The copyright of the article Positive Psychology &Happiness in Personal Development is owned by Jerry Lopper. Permission to republish Positive Psychology &Happiness in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Jan 3, 2007 1:11 AM
mark jay buenaventura :
ahm, can you live for a week happy?
always consider that individuals
are different.forsome, they can't live a happy lives because of some
strees, anxiety, depressin and etc.think aboiut it.
Jan 3, 2007 8:37 AM
Judy M Merrill :
I live every week happy...for the most part. The fact is...negativity,
fears, concerns, etc. do come into our thinking. We have the capacity to
control those thoughts or allow them to control us.
When a
thought occurs, be aware and present, then turn it around. In that way,
there is always a manner to live happy. Flow with the spirit in all
things.
God bless, J
Jan 3, 2007 8:55 AM
Jerry Lopper :
We all have negative events in our lives. Happiness is a frame of mind, a
perspective on life and living that recognizes negative events but focuses
primarily on the positives of life. Research shows that we can all be
happier by practicing certain interventions of thinking and behaving.
It's worth a try.
Jan 11, 2007 8:26 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
I've read that some people are born with a happier disposition than others.
Some are simply easy-going, happy, and cheerful as their normal state of
mind, regardless of what's going on around them!
I love that. I
think it can be learned, but it's sure nice when you're just naturally
happy!
I wonder about hormones, especially in women. There's
been times - every month in fact :) - that I'm just overwhelmed with
frustration and restlessness, and it has nothing to do with being happy. I
love my life, but just get AAARRGH sometimes.
Jan 12, 2007 3:54 AM
Jerry Lopper :
Some people are inherently happier than others, but it is possible for
everyone to elevate their own state of happiness.
I can't
relate to the monthly hormone jolt women experience, except as a husband,
but it seems to me that monthly blues would also yield somewhat to
interventions such as Three Good Things.
Might be worth a try.
Jan 12, 2007 8:38 AM
Judy M Merrill :
Someone way too cheery when the world is falling apart around them, is not
very balanced either. In a practical manner, we have to face life with all
it dishes up and keep in the happy zone as much as possible.
God
bless, J
Jan 13, 2007 3:23 AM
Jerry Lopper :
I agree. There are times when I don't really want to be happy, at least not
the cheery happy, but maybe the "OK, things aren't going great but I'm
still alive and kicking" happy.
Does that make sense?
Jan 13, 2007 7:06 PM
Judy M Merrill :
That is called the peace balance. We all have a peace centre within...it is
sometimes tough to maintain it...we can and do go one way or the other. We
can have peace...we can choose peace. And the more we do, the more we
spread it as a vibration for others to copy.:)
God bless, J
Jan 14, 2007 3:36 AM
Jerry Lopper :
I hadn't heard that term before, peace balance, at least not that I can
remember. Can you tell me more about it?
Jan 14, 2007 7:01 AM
Judy M Merrill :
I do spiritual teaching through mediumship and Spiritualism. The peace
centre is something that has come to me over the last while. Using the
tools of our own consciousness (visualization, meditation, affirmation) we
can balance and empower ourselves in our own good.
When we hear
someone is out of whack with their world and we are seeking to find
solutions...the key is balance. That has always been so.
If we
have centre within ourselves (which we can and do emphasize in our lives)
then we can 'choose' to remain at peace or we can choose to be out of
peace. All is about balance.
Just my personal thoughts....
God bless,J
Jan 15, 2007 3:56 AM
Jerry Lopper :
Your message struck a chord. I once wrote an article entitled Peace is a
Choice. Like your reference, I was referring to the individual choice to be
at peace or at internal conflict.
If you were counseling someone
regarding the choice of peace versus conflict, what would you tell them to
do to be more peaceful?
Jan 15, 2007 7:34 AM
Judy M Merrill :
I think we have the tools within ourselves. But we have a free will choice
to use them, or not. All change takes work on our part. Be prepared to make
the changes for yourself...there is no magic pill to changes.
Begin each day with an affirmation. Any positive thought has the ability
to set our mind for the day in positive mode.
Of course, the
stresses of the day can unsettle this thought...so we can affirm again.
Then just before sleep affirm your own good again. It just may keep your
dreams sweet.
Ritually I begin my day with affirmation and
protection. The protection exercise I use is visualization:
Visualize a bubble (similar to one blown from a child's soap bubble pipe
complete with the rainbow patch...rainbows are such magical, mystical
symbols of bridges, connection, communication, and complete with a pot of
gold at the end for prosperity). Realize its ability to filter all
negativity...from within or without...keeping all thoughts sweet.
I was reminded recently of a saying...keep your words sweet...you never
know when you may have to eat them.
The other tool is
meditation. There are many reasons for meditation and a purpose to each
one. Learn what works to keep your mind settled and meditate in that
fashion.
God bless, J
Jan 16, 2007 2:44 AM
Jerry Lopper :
Thank you, that's a wonderful description of a peace center.
One thing I often do to get back to my peace center is to think of three
good things that have happened that day. They don't have to be big things,
just things that have happened that are pleasing.
Then spend a
few moments considering why these things were pleasant. This brief
intervention always helps me feel better, more peaceful.
Thanks
so much for your thoughtful contribution.
Jan 16, 2007 9:18 AM
Judy M Merrill :
There is a DVD out right now called The Secret. Trailers can be found at:
www.thesecret.tv
It is a powerful presentation by a variety of
professionals in their fields (from coaching, science, philosophy, etc.) on
the law of attraction. What we think we become. That which we dwell upon,
we will manifest in our lives (from the Course in Miracles).
God
bless, J
Jan 17, 2007 2:31 AM
Jerry Lopper :
Yes, I hear alot about The Secret but haven't seen it myself yet. My
favorite source for law of attraction (other than my own experiences) is
Jerry and Esther Hicks. Their site is loaded with good information,
including some free downloads that are excellent. I regularly read their
quarterly newsletter and have puchased several of their books. I recommend
them.
Jan 17, 2007 7:08 AM
Judy M Merrill :
Esther Hicks was a part of the DVD The Secret...along with other
professionals in coaching (John Grey - Men are from Mars, Woman are from
Venus) There were also some with science backgrounds and reputations, as
well as religious leaders. It is well worth checking out.
God
bless, J
Jan 18, 2007 2:32 AM
Jerry Lopper :
I'll do that.
Thanks for the information.
Sep 19, 2008 4:33 AM
Guest
:
you obviously never met my mother - or you would know why it is totally
impossible to ever be truly happy. Positive psychology aside - I am doing
my best to 'thrive' regardless.
Dec 28, 2008 11:05 PM
Guest
:
Guest from Bhutan:
At times, especially when we are suffering from
depression, it will not be possible to experience happiness however hard we
try, in such a scenario, it is best to get help from mental health
professionals. Of course, a person who is depressed is unhappy only for
certain period of time. We need to know a person's general mood prior to
the illness to conclude about the existance of a mental disorder.
In
absence of a mental illness I agree with Judy's comment on how to breed
positive emotions to live a happy life!
Feb 4, 2009 2:35 PM
Jerry Lopper :
The driving forces behind Positive Psychology, beginning with Martin
Seligman are to be commended and admired for making this information
available to all of us. Their open approach to information sharing is
wonderfully representative of what Positive Psychology is all about.
20 Comments
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