Author: sushamak@verizon.net

Being transported into a state of other worldliness, or finding the Divine in everyday situations is an ultimate state of grace that draws us out of our mundane existence and for a moment in time we are lifted to another realm.  The Virtue of Transcendence is rare and magnificent to behold.  Yet it is not out of our reach. 
 
Transcendence ‘describes strengths that help you connect to the larger universe and provide meaning’,  VIA Institute on Character.  The five strengths grouped under this category of spiritual well-being are: Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence, Gratitude, Hope, Humor, and Spirituality.  These are earthly, attainable strengths we can readily cultivate. 
 

Continue reading “Beyond You or Me”

“Temperance describes strengths that help you manage habits and protect against excess.”  
 
It puts the brakes on the urge to act on unhealthy behaviors based on hurt, anger, conceit, impatience, lethargy. It then introduces a modifying approach.  It is a great potion for balance. 
 
The four strengths grouped under this category of protective wellbeing are: Forgiveness, Humility, Prudence, and Self-Regulation.

Continue reading “Softening & Moderating”

Is Justice to be relegated to courtrooms, those who don robes and wield a gavel with flourish? Obviously not.  Even a toddler can come screeching into a room, “It’s not fair! She is not sharing the ball with me”.  Children learn early about justice.  It is a desired virtue of each of us as individuals and of societies in all parts of the world. 
 
Whether you are committed to equitable distribution of food to all corners of the world, or join a community group to create a neighborhood watch, or call ‘foul’ on a sports field, justice comes in various shapes and colors.

Continue reading ““…..and Justice for All””

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”