During working years, life satisfaction is strongly related to the level of meaning people find in their work. People put more energy into jobs that they believe contribute positively to the world. They are also more resilient in the face of setbacks.
Meaningful work is as important as pay and security – and perhaps […]
Topics: All, Pathway 3 "Meaning", _3 Positive Organizations
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Last week, I had the extraordinary privilege of hearing J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter mega-series, deliver an electrifying commencement speech at Harvard University to a sold-out, standing room only audience of young and adult alike, many of whom ran through the gates of Harvard Yard, beginning at 6:30 am to get as good a seat as possible for the afternoon ceremony. Although I knew she’d be entertaining, I had no idea how profound Rowling’s talk would be, nor how tightly entwined her speech would be with the themes and message of Positive Psychology.
We’ve all heard the sayings: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
But how accurate and helpful are these sayings, anyway? I started to wonder about this […]
Not too long ago I deposited my oldest child at college, which was probably more traumatic for me than it was for him. Although there are very normal and healthy separations parents go through, such as the first day of kindergarten, sending a child to college, watching them fall in love and get married, and […]
I’ve become “the license plate lady” to all of my children’s friends, who are now accustomed to riding in a carpool with me and hearing me suddenly yelp as I spot a terrific vanity plate, “Get a picture of that license plate!” Anyone with a good view of my target now knows to zoom in, get a few snaps, and show it to everyone for approval so that I can use it as a teaching tool about the power of words in shaping our moods. […]
If you’ve never seen a wrestling match, you’ve never seen one of the grittiest athletic spectacles known to man, and one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to watch as a nervous mother (through laced fingers over my eyes, to be honest). And if you haven’t heard about Dustin Carter, you’re about to learn […]
Imagine this: A corporate billionaire and a working class mechanic have nothing in common until they share a hospital room and realize that they both share a burning desire to spend the time that they do have left to accomplish unfulfilled dreams until they “kick the bucket.” Together they embark on the road trip of […]
Last fall, HBO aired a documentary that had good intentions and a terrible outcome.
“Thin” was created by filmmaker Lauren Greenfield, whose goal was to show the devastation of eating disorders and the price its sufferers pay in health, well-being and overall quality of life. She succeeded. And that’s the problem.
Princess Diana was a woman who struggled with bulimia for many years, but may not have found lasting recovery from this tough addiction during her life. […]
Topics: All, Habits, Health, Hope, Pathway 3 "Meaning", _2 Positive Traits
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“Raindrops on roses and
Whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and
Warm woolen mittens”
Julie Andrews sang about them. Oprah has them. And so I now want to do a fun column about “My Favorite Things,” too, to pay homage to some of the things that bring happiness and contentment to my life in the hopes […]
Topics: All, Awe, Coaching, Communication, Goals, Gratitude, Habits, Health, Love, Money, Optimism and Positive Thinking, Pathway 1 "Pleasure", Pathway 2 "Engagement / Flow", Pathway 3 "Meaning", Positive Emotions (Positive Affect), Resilience, Savoring / In-the-Moment, Sports, Strengths, Three Branches, Three Pathways, _1 Positive Experiences, _2 Positive Traits, _3 Positive Organizations
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In mid-September, I pulled my trusty bat globe out of the garage and set it up on my front lawn. And like clockwork, the negative comments soon came my way, but it didn’t matter. I knew better. Let me tell you why.
Last week at the Gallup Summit on Global Well-Being in Washington, D.C., I was […]
Last weekend, I was feeling wonderful, and I was marveling that so many areas of my life were in the place I wanted them to be. My career has had some major recent breakthroughs in long-desired areas, my hobbies have begun to rear their heads more often in my busy life, my friendships are rewarding […]