Positive Psychology
Introduction
In this practice, we are steering away from the idea of pathology. We no longer question the weaknesses of man, nor do we analyse them. We are rather shifting our focus to the positive aspects of man. We ask questions regarding the resources and attributes people have available to conquer a challenge. We believe that every human being is unique and created perfectly, with all the recourses needed to succeed. Mental illness does not exist, only healthy people see a challenge as an opportunity to grow.
The Egyptian phoenix (according to ancient Egypt mythology, a fabulous bird) was said to be as large as an eagle, with brilliant scarlet and gold plumage and a melodious cry. Only one phoenix could exist at a time, and its’ lifespan was very long. As its end approached, the phoenix fashioned a nest of aromatic boughs and spices, set it on fire, and was consumed in the flames. From the pyre miraculously sprang a new phoenix, stronger, better, and more powerful than ever before.
The risen phoenix:
A model of pathology
Since 1952, literally to this day, there were attempts to categorise people and place them in disorder boxes (stipulated in the diagnostic manual, currently the DSM 5). These boxes changed and adjusted constantly to try and classify the complexity of human nature.
These diagnoses are becoming progressively complex. Over time, new boxes and new diagnoses appeared and disappeared. New boxes became fashionable and old boxes became abundant.
It may be perhaps time to abandon these boxes. The absence of depression is not the same as the presence of happiness, positive emotions, and meaning in life.
Instead of labelling a person as, e.g being depressed, being a monster, a murderer, etc., and also in an attempt to treat it per se, we can acknowledge the positive and utilise the inner resources of individuals to the advantage of us all. By focusing on the positive you will automatically attract more positive things toward you.
The focus, therefore, should not be on what is wrong with man, but rather on what strengths, and potential man possess. It also applies when there are questions to be asked about what the positive intention behind behaviour was rather than to condemn the behaviour itself. It may ask us not to judge, but to rather question the intention of people.
A positive model
Positive psychology has the goal to move away from the pathology model. We do not focus on depression, anxiety, or other mental disorders. We rather focus on the strengths and resources we received as well-created human beings to overcome our challenges.
To combat depression does not necessarily imply the absence thereof and will not automatically result in a feeling of happiness, positive emotions, and a meaningful life.
We want to focus on the here-and-now, mindfully and with all our senses concentrated on what we do have.
Core components of positive psychology
Positive psychology focuses on the resources that man possesses to help them overcome their challenges. Positive psychology focuses on concepts such as taste (savouring), gratitude, mindfulness, optimism, resilience, vitality, and so much more.
Savouring
Savouring means when you use thoughts and actions to appreciate positive emotions. To enjoy everything that comes to your side, to taste, feel and consume it. That’s when you feel positive about yourself and your abilities.
Gratitude
It is much easier to focus on what we do not have instead of what we already do have.
The Tibetans have a statement that reads: the moment when we are content, we have enough. We will not be content when we have enough. We will have enough when we are content.
You will be content when you become mindfully aware of the little things around you. This will happen for you when you use your five senses to appreciate everything around you and what you do have. These are precious moments.
Gratitude means that you deviate from yourself and focus on the moment and your surroundings.
Perhaps you can make a difference in someone’s life with an unexpected act of selflessness. Who knows?
Feel free to follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYcWT1GLUgE
Resilience
Resilience is the ability of man to bounce back after every setback in life, stronger and better than ever before. These people, like a phoenix, get out of ashes, stronger, more powerful, and more beautiful than ever before.
You’re also not a victim of the events in your life. There are things that happened and you always have the choice to feel like a victim or like a survivor.
You can choose to follow a self-fulfilling prophecy that reinvigorates those thoughts. It is your choice to stick with negative thinking and reinvigorates the pattern of your negative thinking, or you can shift your focus and thoughts to the positive and reinvigorates the pattern of your positive thinking. It is your choice to be a fear-person or a life-person.
Mindful meditation
It is not required of you to sit quietly every day and physically meditate. You don’t need to sit in a mandala-position and recite all sorts of rhymes or hum exotic tunes.
Meditation means an awareness of every moment. Wherever you are, whatever your do, use your five senses and be consciously aware of your surroundings, doings, and your feelings. You may savour your food, wine, garden, your surroundings on your way to work, everything and anything, mindfully and in the moment of the here and now.
Just allow yourself from time to time to become still, doing nothing. Just breathe, relax and become aware of whatever you are experiencing with your five senses. The core of mindfulness is the application of all of your five senses in whatever you do or don’t do.
Learned optimism
You can learn to be more optimistic. You never are a victim. You are not a result of your genes, education, past, or life experiences.
Your challenge lies not in how you were growing up. You may have learned that you are a victim. But you’re not. As a child, you could perhaps have been a victim, but today you are older and so much wiser as a result of the resources from your life experiences and knowledge you have acquired as an adult.
You are also not a victim as a result of the events in your life. There are things that happened but now you have the choice to feel like a victim or a survivor.
It’s your choice to keep on thinking negatively, to keep reinforcing the pattern of your negative thoughts, or to follow a self-fulfilling prophecy, reinforcing positive thoughts.
It is your choice whether you will be ruled by fear or driven by life.
Vitality
Vitality is a zest for living. It means to really live and to make a success of your life. A zest for life requires the least effort to seek and find creative solutions to your challenges.
You can choose to be in the ashes, or it is your choice to arise. That ability and choice are yours and yours alone.