Author: sushamak@verizon.net

Humanity sounds massive, bigger than life, and almost impossible to comprehend.  I recently watched a 60 Minutes segment aired on CBS, ‘Who betrayed Anne Frank and her family?’  The investigation revealed a deeply disturbing finding.  However Rabbi Sebbag talks about the findings serving the greater good.  “I hope that people will understand that one of the things that the Nazi ideology did during the Holocaust was to dehumanize Jewish people ….. And going back into history and ……. attaining the truth is actually giving the Jewish people back their own humanity”.  Even if that truth alarms and hurts, it is humanizing the situation, making the way we view it more considerate, compassionate, and empathetic even in the worst of conditions.
 
Humanity ‘describes strengths that manifest in caring relationships with others’. The three character strengths grouped under this category of social wellbeing are Kindness, Love, and Social Intelligence. 

Continue reading “Unraveling Humanity”

When you think of Courage what comes to mind?  A resolute soldier in the battlefield, a scrubbed surgeon entering the operating theater, a window washer stepping on to an aerial platform, or perhaps a wide eyed toddler staring at the cold swimming pool.  Courage has many faces and many facets.

Courage “describes strengths that help you exercise your will and face adversity.” The four strengths grouped under this category of emotional wellbeing are:  Bravery, Honesty, Perseverance, and Zest.  Surprised?  Step back and widen your perspective to see that courage extends beyond bravery.

Continue reading “Virtue of Courage”

In keeping with the spirit of the season and the jingle that is stuck in our heads, we might be asking, “……Who’s naughty or nice”?  But wait, today, let’s focus on how you have been ‘nice’. Let us shine the spotlight on goodness and let it become the focus of your riveted attention.
 
Chris Peterson and Martin Seligman studied the science and practice of character (considered the backbone of Positive Psychology) in their book ‘Character Strengths and Virtues’.  After 3 years of extensive research they identified 6 Virtues that are recognized the world over across regions, cultures, religions, languages and time as being desirable and highly coveted.

Continue reading “Developing your Virtues”

The core concepts or the three pillars of Positive Psychology are:
Positive Experiences | Positive Individual Traits | Positive Institutions

• study and understanding of positive emotions
• study and understanding of personal character strengths  
• study and understanding of strengths that foster better communities

The middle pillar of Positive Individual Traits  is an emerging science of the nature of character strengths.

Continue reading “Build your Character Muscle”

The ‘Father of Flow’, founder and co-director of the Quality of Life Research Center (QLRC) at Claremont Graduate University, and one of the founders of Positive Psychology passed away October 20, 2021.   He was truly a giant in the field of psychology.  His research on happiness has its roots in very adverse conditions as a survivor of WW II.  He witnessed pain and suffering and emerged studying happiness!

Continue reading “Revisiting Flow”

To raise your level of Positive Genius practice 5 skills as shown by Shawn Achor in Before Happiness.

Skill 5 – Positive Inception:
Transferring your Positive Genius to Others

You can amplify the effects of your own positive mindset by helping others gain one. 

Despite stark differences in personality between us, our brains our interconnected with what is known as a ‘mirror neuron’ network.  These are receptors in our brain that react to observed and performed behaviors.  We mimic the behaviors of others like a yawn, smile or frown.  In our day to day lives we encounter contagion in the form of boredom, excitement, joy or empathy.  Mindsets and perceptions can be transferred to others as we are all primed to be receptive.  As Shawn Achor says, “We are hard wired for inception”!

Continue reading “Positivity Initiation”

To raise your level of Positive Genius practice 5 skills as shown by Shawn Achor in Before Happiness.

Skill 4 – Canceling the Noise:
Boosting your ‘positive signal’ by eliminating  ‘negative noise’.

Signal is information that guides you to possibilities that help you reach your higher potential. Noise is any information that is negative, false or unnecessary deterring you from achieving your goals. 

Continue reading “Filter out the Noise | Let in the Signal”

Skill 3 – The X Spot: finding success accelerants

Having assigned value to your goal and created a mental map to get there, the next step is to generate accelerants to get to your goal efficiently.  Shawn Achor shows us how by marking the ‘X’ Spot.

The 26.2 miles set for a marathon is a highly coveted distance that is attempted by millions.  Marathon runners who upon reaching the grueling 26 miles, are about to cross over into the last .2 miles, do not seem to flag, even if their legs are buckling, or every breath is a painful gasp.  To the contrary, they seem to gain speed.  Cursing, raising fists, or seeming to lose control of their limbs, they sprint the last stretch.  “The last .2 is torture, glory, and history all rolled into one stretch”, (Runner’s World, Sep 2020). 

Continue reading “Mark your ‘X’ Spot”

Raise your level of Positive Genius. 
Practice 5 skills as shown by Shawn Achor in Before Happiness.

Skill 2 – Mental Cartography: Mapping your success route
 
“Success without meaning is hollow and not worth the effort.”  When you create a life of more meaning, it leads to happiness.  When you are happier it leads to success. Meaning → Happiness → Success.

Continue reading “3 Ways to Chart your Mental Map”

Raise your level of positive genius.  Practice 5 skills as shown by Shawn Achor in ‘Before Happiness’.

SKILL 1 – Reality Architecture: Choosing the most valuable reality
How to see multiple realities and choose the one that leads to positive growth
 
Strategy 1: Recognize alternative realities
You have the ability to choose your perspective (interpretation) of the facts in front of you.  Choose the view from any angle: front, side, above, or below.  Each perspective offers a slightly different reality.  Pick the lens that appeals to you the most and holds the greatest value. 

Continue reading “Pick the Reality of most Value to You”