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Positive Psychology Articles
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- Lighten Up - by Submitted on May 22, 2023 from Rick HansonOn the path of life, most of us are hauling way too much weight. What's in your own backpack? If you're like most of us, you've got too many items on each day's To-Do list and too much stuff in the closet. Too many entanglements with other people. And too many "shoulds," worries, guilts, and ...
Views: 5 - See Progress - by Submitted on May 15, 2023 from Rick HansonThere are always things that are getting worse. For example, over the past year, you probably know someone who has become unemployed or ill or both, and there’s more carbon in the atmosphere inexorably heating up the planet. But if you don’t recognize what’s improving in your own life, then ...
Views: 11 - 5 Easy Ways to Cultivate Joy in Life Through Mindfulness - by Submitted on May 13, 2023 from Barry ShoreHappiness and joy are two of the most sought-after states in life. But sometimes it can feel like they’re just out of reach, no matter how hard you try to grab them. Fortunately, there is a way to cultivate more joy in your life: mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention ...
Views: 13 - Trust In Love - by Submitted on May 02, 2023 from Rick HansonTake a breath right now, and notice how abundant the air is, full of life-giving oxygen offered freely by trees and other green-growing things. You can't see the air, but it's always available for you. Love is a lot like the air. It may be hard to see - but it's in you and all around ...
Views: 15 - A Serious Limitation with Words - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2023 from William CottringerA Serious Limitation with Words by Bill Cottringer “Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.” ~Rumi. Ever since being a young acolyte in the Episcopal Church studying the Bible and doing a book report on it for English class in high school, I have always been ...
Views: 21 - Don't Rain On The Parade - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2023 from Rick HansonLet's say you've had an interesting idea or moment of inspiration, the thought of a new project, or felt some enthusiasm bubbling up inside you. Your notions are not fully formed and you're not really committed to them yet, but they have promise and you like them and are trying them on for size. ...
Views: 16 - Dangers of a Divided Mind - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2023 from William CottringerDangers of a Divided Mind By Bill Cottringer “Warning: A divided mind misses half of everything but deludes you into believing you have the whole truth. So, if you want to get twice as much done in half the time in finding the whole truth, rejoin your divided mind.” ~The Author. I ...
Views: 25 - Receive Generosity - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2023 from Rick HansonLife gives to each one of us in so many ways. For starters, there’s the bounty of the senses – including chocolate chip cookies, jasmine, sunsets, wind singing through pine trees, and just getting your back scratched. What does life give you? Consider the kindness of friends and family, ...
Views: 19 - Techniques for Positive Self-Talk After Brain Injury and Empowering Self-Talk for Individuals Living with Brain Injury - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2023 from Leon EdwardBrain injury can have a significant impact on a person's life, often leading to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression. But amidst all the challenges, it's essential to focus on the positive by cultivating a positive mindset. One effective way to do this is through positive ...
Views: 40(1 vote) - Speak Wisely - by Submitted on Apr 10, 2023 from Rick Hanson"Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Ah, not really. Often it's words - and the tone that comes with them - that actually do the most damage. Just think back on some of the things that have been said to you over the years - especially those said with ...
Views: 22 - Minimize Painful Experiences - by Submitted on Apr 03, 2023 from Rick HansonPainful experiences range from subtle discomfort to extreme anguish - and there is a place for them. Sorrow can open the heart, anger can highlight injustices, fear can alert you to real threats, and remorse can help you take the high road next time. But is there really any shortage of ...
Views: 28 - Don't Be Intimidated - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2023 from Rick HansonHumans evolved to be fearful since anxiety helped keep our ancestors alive. Consequently, we are vulnerable to being alarmed, manipulated, and even intimidated by threats, both real ones and “paper tigers.” This vulnerability to feeling threatened has effects at many levels, ranging from ...
Views: 30 - Don't Quarrel - by Submitted on Mar 20, 2023 from Rick HansonIt's one thing to stick up for yourself and others. But it's a different matter to get caught up in wrangles, contentiousness, squabbles . . . in a word: quarrels. Similarly, it's one thing to disagree with someone, even to the point of arguing - but it's a different matter to get so caught ...
Views: 36 - Forgive - by Submitted on Mar 13, 2023 from Rick HansonForgiveness is a tricky topic. First, it has two distinct meanings: To give up resentment or anger To pardon an offense; to stop seeking punishment or recompense Here, I am going to focus on the first meaning, which is broad enough to include situations where you have not let ...
Views: 35 - Springtime Follies for Seekers and Mystics: “Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys!” - by Submitted on Mar 11, 2023 from joan pancoeRECOMMENDED: To see all visuals and activate all links: https://joanpancoe.com/2023/03/08/springtime-follies-for-seekers-and-mystics-not-my-circus-not-my-monkeys/ “The expansion (i.e., projection) and the contraction (i.e., dissolution) of the universe are called lila (the divine sport) ...
Views: 50(1 vote) - Says Thanks - by Submitted on Mar 06, 2023 from Rick HansonWhat do you feel when someone thanks you for something? For a comment in a meeting, a task done at home, an extra step taken, or an encouraging word. You probably feel seen, and appreciated, and that you matter to the other person. Maybe a little startled, maybe wondering if you really ...
Views: 48 - Speak Truly - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2023 from Rick HansonIt's been said that the most powerful tool for physical health is a fork (or spoon) since the choices you make with it determine the good or bad things you put into your body. In the same way, perhaps the most powerful tool for your mental health - and certainly for the health of your ...
Views: 44 - Keep Your Eyes on the Prize - by Submitted on Feb 20, 2023 from Rick HansonHave you heard this saying? The most important thing is to remember the most important thing. What are the most important things to you? In your life as a whole? During a particular interaction with someone? Right, this minute? The most important things often get pushed to the sidelines. ...
Views: 42 - Give No One Cause To Fear - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2023 from Rick HansonThe ancient ancestors that were casual and blithely hopeful, underestimating the risks around them - predators, loss of food, aggression from others of their kind - did not pass on their genes. But the ones that were nervous were very successful - and we are their great-grandchildren, sitting ...
Views: 47 - Put No One Out of Your Heart - by Submitted on Feb 06, 2023 from Rick HansonWe all know people who are, ah, . . . challenging. It could be a critical parent, a bossy supervisor, a relative who have you walking on eggshells, a nice but flaky friend, a co-worker who just doesn't like you, a partner who won't keep his or her agreements, or a politician you dislike. Right ...
Views: 41 - Try a Softer Tone - by Submitted on Jan 30, 2023 from Rick HansonLinguists like Deborah Tannen have pointed out that most communications have three elements: Explicit content – “There is no milk in the refrigerator.” Emotional subtext – Could be irritation, blame, accusation An implicit statement about the nature of the relationship – Could be one ...
Views: 46 - The Dynamics of Trust - by Submitted on Jan 27, 2023 from William CottringerThe Dynamics of Trust by Bill Cottringer “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” ~Ernest Hemingway. Trust is an essential ingredient to successful resolution of the three main conflicts which we all must deal with in life: (a) us vs. life (b) us vs. ...
Views: 65 - See the Good in Others - by Submitted on Jan 23, 2023 from Rick HansonMany interactions these days have a kind of bumper-car quality to them. At work, at home, on the telephone, or via email: we sort of bounce off of each other while we exchange information, smile or frown, and move on. How often do we actually take the extra few seconds to get a sense of what's ...
Views: 52 - A Baker’s Dozen Classic Ah-Ha Moments - by Submitted on Jan 19, 2023 from William CottringerA Baker’s Dozen Classic Ah-Ha Moments By Bill Cottringer “We often get the thinking-feeling-behavior sequence mixed up. It is important to understand that it is behaviors and actions, not thinking, that result in our feelings, which in turn often prompt problem behaviors.” ~The author. ...
Views: 57 - Ask Questions - by Submitted on Jan 17, 2023 from Rick HansonMy dad grew up on a ranch in North Dakota. He has a saying from his childhood - you may have heard it elsewhere - that's: "You learn more by listening than by talking." Sure, we often gain by thinking aloud, including discovering our truth by speaking it. But on the whole, listening brings ...
Views: 63 - Stay Right When You're Wronged - by Submitted on Jan 09, 2023 from Rick HansonOthers will do whatever they do, and realistically, sometimes, it may not be that great. Many people disappoint: They’ve got a million things swirling around in their head, life’s been tough, there were issues in their childhood, their ethics are fuzzy, their thinking is clouded, their heart is ...
Views: 53 - Feel Cared About - by Submitted on Jan 02, 2023 from Rick HansonEveryone knows what it’s like to care about someone. Remember being with a friend, a mate, a pet: you feel warmly connected and want him or her not to suffer and to be happy. On the other hand, you’ve probably had the sense, at one time or another, of not being cared about. That you didn’t ...
Views: 68 - Speak From The Heart - by Submitted on Dec 26, 2022 from Rick HansonOne Christmas, I hiked down into the Grand Canyon, whose bottom lay a vertical mile below the rim. Its walls were layered like a cake, and a foot-high stripe of red or gray rock indicated million-plus years of erosion by the Colorado River. Think of water - so soft and gentle - gradually carving ...
Views: 59 - Tune Into Others - by Submitted on Dec 19, 2022 from Rick HansonImagine a world in which people interacted with each other like ants or fish. Imagine a day at work like this, or in your family, aware of the surface behavior of the people around you but oblivious to their inner life while they remain unmoved by your own. That's a world without ...
Views: 64 - Be Friendly - by Submitted on Dec 12, 2022 from Rick HansonFriendliness is a down-to-earth approach to others that is welcoming and positive. Think about a time when someone was friendly to you - maybe drawing you into a gathering, saying hello on the sidewalk, or smiling from across the room. How did that make you feel? Probably more included, ...
Views: 71 - The Wisdom of Insecurity - by Submitted on Dec 09, 2022 from William CottringerThe Wisdom of Insecurity by Bill Cottringer “Uncertainty is the only certainty there is and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.” ~John Allen Paulos. I wish I had originally come up with this simple but profound article title, but I have to give full credit to a ...
Views: 79 - Equine Therapy for Alcohol Addiction In Pune - by Submitted on Dec 09, 2022 from Calida RehabHorses are used for the Equine Therapy In Pune People participate in activities such as grooming, feeding, and leading horses under the supervision of a mental health expert. Equine therapy is one such mental therapy that’s getting popular lately. The therapy involves horses as a way to treat ...
Views: 74 - Have Compassion - by Submitted on Dec 05, 2022 from Rick HansonCompassion is essentially the wish that beings do not suffer - from subtle physical and emotional discomfort to agony and anguish - combined with feelings of sympathetic concern. You could have compassion for an individual (a friend in the hospital, a co-worker passed over for a promotion), ...
Views: 80 - Recognize Suffering in Others - by Submitted on Nov 29, 2022 from Rick HansonWe’re usually aware of our own suffering, which – broadly defined – includes the whole range of physical and mental discomfort, from mild headache or anxiety to the agony of bone cancer or the anguish of losing a child. (Certainly, there is more to life than suffering, including great joy and ...
Views: 82 - See the Person Behind the Eyes - by Submitted on Nov 21, 2022 from Rick HansonMost of us wear a kind of mask, a persona that hides our deepest thoughts and feelings and presents a polished, controlled face to the world. To be sure, a persona is a good thing to have. For example, meetings at work, holidays with the in-laws, or a first date are usually not the best time to ...
Views: 72 - Tell the Truth, Play Fair - by Submitted on Nov 14, 2022 from Rick HansonPerhaps like you, I’ve been worrying lately about what it will take for all of us to live together in peace. I remember what I’ve heard many teachers say to their students: Tell the truth. Play fair. This is what we ask our own kids to do. It’s what we look for in a friend, a boss, and a ...
Views: 68 - "Us" all "Thems" - by Submitted on Nov 07, 2022 from Rick HansonBy “us” all “thems,” I mean finding common ground with every person – especially those you fear or are angry with or who are simply very different from you. These days this practice is more important than ever. For most of the past 300,000 years, our human ancestors lived in small bands of ...
Views: 82 - Learn as You Go - by Submitted on Oct 31, 2022 from Rick HansonI was recently asked about my top five inner practices for 2019, and here they are: Drop the stone Let it flow Learn as you go “Us” all “thems” Be amazed By “learn as you go,” I mean that each day is an opportunity to take in the good: to help useful or enjoyable experiences ...
Views: 86 - Let it flow - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2022 from Rick HansonI think there are five key things we can do inside ourselves to be happier, stronger, wiser, and more loving this year: Drop the stone Let it flow Learn as you go “Us” all “thems” Be Amazed My previous JOT explored the first of these: how to lay down the burdens of useless ...
Views: 115 - Repairing Virtual Communication failures - by Submitted on Oct 21, 2022 from William CottringerRepairing Virtual Communication failures By Bill Cottringer “In a world that is constantly changing, it is to our advantage to learn how to adapt and enjoy something better.” ~Kenneth H. Blanchard. Live, face-to-face (f2f) communication has always been difficult, unfortunately with ...
Views: 95 - Drop the Stone - by Submitted on Oct 18, 2022 from Rick HansonAs we begin a new year for many people, it’s natural to consider how to make it a good one. Besides taking action in the outer world – from fixing a dripping faucet to feeding every child – we can act inside our own minds . . . and take the benefits with us wherever we go. This year, what do you ...
Views: 85 - See The Big Picture - by Submitted on Oct 10, 2022 from Rick HansonI once went to the movies when it was raining and brought my umbrella. Arriving early, I sat down on a bench to read, then headed to the theater. Suddenly I heard, “Uh, mister!” – and turned to see a teenage boy with a friendly smile running toward me with my umbrella. He didn’t know me but went ...
Views: 86 - Stand Up to Bullies - by Submitted on Oct 03, 2022 from Rick HansonHumans are profoundly social. Woven through the tapestry of our relationships are several major threads. One of these is power. The only question is, do we use it for good or ill? The abuse of power can be called many things, including intimidation, fraud, discrimination, and tyranny. I’ll ...
Views: 86 - Love What Is Real - by Submitted on Sep 26, 2022 from Rick HansonBecause this practice could seem so abstract or so obvious that it’s not worth doing, I am going to take longer than usual to explain why it’s so important. As I grew up, my family and schools felt like shaky ground. I didn’t understand why my parents and many kids reacted the way they did, ...
Views: 95 - Enjoy The Good That Lasts - by Submitted on Sep 19, 2022 from Rick HansonSo many things change. Leaves fall, friends move away, and children leave home. My dad died a year ago, and my mom about ten years before that. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting older (darn, there is no fooling the mirror). The world changes, too. Evolving technologies alter jobs and ...
Views: 105 - Love Your Neighbor - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2022 from Rick HansonThis practice might sound extreme or pushy, and I want to tell you what I mean by it. Everyone has lots of neighbors, and they come in many shapes and sizes. Obviously, the people living across the street are neighbors, but in some sense, so are the people you live with. Friends, relatives, ...
Views: 95 - Beware of Anger - by Submitted on Sep 05, 2022 from Rick HansonAnger is tricky. On the one hand, anger – feeling annoyed, irritated, resentful, fed up, mad, outraged, or enraged – alerts us to real threats, real injuries, and real wrongs that need correcting, and it energizes and fuels us to do something about them. In my family growing up, my parents had ...
Views: 111 - Welcome Joy - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2022 from Rick HansonPositive emotions – such as feelings of gratitude, love, and confidence – strengthen the immune system, protect the heart against loss and trauma, build relationships, increase resilience, and promote success. Based on studies that have already been done, if a drug company could patent a ...
Views: 135 - Find Your Ground - by Submitted on Aug 22, 2022 from Rick HansonI've been to New Zealand, and really respect and like it. There's a Maori term - turangawaewae, "a place to stand" - that I've come back to many times. I'm sure I don't know the full meaning of the word in its cultural context. But at a basic level, it's clear that we all need a place to ...
Views: 140 - Love Someone - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2022 from Rick HansonSometimes something happens. Perhaps your sweet old cat takes a turn for the worse, or there’s a money problem, or your son waves goodbye as he gets on a plane to start college on the other side of the country. Sometimes it’s on a larger scale: maybe there’s been an election, and you’re ...
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