Positive Psychology: Bringing Happiness to the Forefront of our Lives
The term Positive Psychology means a lot. What is Positive Psychology and why is it important? There are some common misconceptions about positive psychology, both about what it is and what it is not.
Positive Psychology
Described in many ways and with many words, but the commonly accepted definition of the field is that positive psychology is a scientific approach to studying human thoughts, feelings, and behavior, with a focus on strengths instead of weaknesses, building the good in life instead of repairing the bad, and taking the lives of average people up to “great” instead of focusing solely on moving those who are struggling up to “normal”.
Characteristics of Positive Psychology
• Positive events and influences in life.
• Positive experiences like happiness, joy, inspiration, and love.
• Positive states and traits like gratitude, resilience, and compassion.
• Positive institutions applying positive principles within entire organizations and institutions.
Positive psychology teaches how to harness the power of shifting one’s perspective to maximize the potential for happiness in many of our everyday behaviors. Injecting a bit more optimism and gratitude into your life is a simple action that can give you a radically more positive outlook on life. Happiness also promotes more happiness.
Using positive psychology can choose our own environments and be with the people that increase our probability of happiness. The individuals who become the happiest and grow the most are those who also make truth and their own personal growth primary values.
"This is scientific proof that happiness is indeed a choice."
~Jade Asuncion