I’m very excited awaiting the start of an online Positive Psychology course at the University of Pennsylvania. The 3-month course is rooted in the work of Dr. Martin Seligman, world-renowned founder of Positive Psychology and Professor of Psychology. The goal of the course is to enhance work and home life of the participants by focusing on positive emotions, strengths-based character, and positive communication.
And as always in life I think, when one focuses on something or awaits something, they tend to notice so much more of that same thing. Through a freind I came across a number of short documentaries of Alain de Botton, a happiness philosopher. You can watch these Guide to Happiness documenataries here.
Why Positive Psychology? Well, personally I think in the long term, it could be the solution to pretty much all the misery currently present in the world.. Just imagine incorporating Positive Psychology in education, or teaching kids and young adults how to be happy…!?
Take a look at this article, mentioning how the Dalai Lama invited a Positive Psychology scientist for a discussion. These are some of the quotes from the article:
“We’re really intrigued with his research that shows students can learn how to relax so they can focus more on learning.”
“Davidson’s center plans to begin training local fifth-grade teachers next fall to cultivate skills like patience and relaxation among their students.”
Tags: Allain de Botton, dalai lama, happiness, martin seligman, positive psychology
I also think positive psychology – including a positive mindset, will help people to overcome negativity that now plays a leading role in most lives.
If you can learn to focus more on the positive – positive attitude, positive communication, positive relationships, positive health – a chain-like reaction will occur and one’s life will in fact change for the better.
Whatever you focus on, becomes your reality, wasn’t it?
Great blog!
Agree, positve psychology or as I call it:
Just look at the bright side of every situation.
It is not the situation that makes you feel misserable it is how you deal with it. You always have a choice. And when you feel bad … feel BAD!!! intensive and at least for two minutes and then let it go and focus on the positive sides the situation brings. Come in to action, play with it, talk to others, spread your love. Share your toughts and deepest feelings with the people you feel connected. Do good, support others, celebrate life, love life, love people and love yourself.
Life is full off opportunities, there is so much knowledge, energy, creativity, love, joyfullness and peacefullness … We just have to see it, share it and it will multiply and their sources will never run out.
Just do it to make this world a better place.
I like to stand up for a better world by empowering vulnerable people with my passion for creativity and support them with dance, drama, circus, art, music, movement and theatre so they can build their own future.
With Creative Wold Foundation we give train-the-trainer to the people who work with those groups so we can bring a sustainable support to a better world.
I feel honoured to be able to do these wonderfull projects in Tanzania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Holland, South-Africa, Kenia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico and Costa Rica.
I am looking forward to ad positive psychology, new educationsystems, new healthcaresystems and new ways for social entrepreneurship as a contrubution to a wonderfull creative world.
PEACE, LOVE, JOY
Rik