Cultivating Positive Emotion- Cultivation of positive emotion is similar to building muscles. Once you start recognizing a negative emotion you are experiencing, you can then mindfully accept it and decide to undo the effect with a positive emotion. You can increase and build upon the ten positive emotions. You can will broaden your positive affect and start to experience positive emotions more regularly. Mindful awareness, mindful meditation, savoring, acceptance and commitment to oneself are all important. There are specific immune changes in our bodies, causing a mind-body interaction, fostering increased positive emotion. All we need to do is focus on the positive emotions!
Utilizing Character Strengths– Are there times when you feel like things are falling right into place and you are proud of what you are doing? Are you thrilled when you immerse yourself in something and get results? Do you routinely use your personal set of strengths to make improvements or add to your relationships, career or health? Well, if you do- you are utilizing your signature character strengths and don’t even know it! But, if not, you can learn to cultivate your strengths to provide you with the most optimal functioning in different parts of your life!
When you align your strengths, life reveals what you are most needing. Your character strengths fuel your ability to live life to the best. When you notice and use your strengths, it leads to growth and accomplishment. You can see what your strengths are through the VIA Character Strengths survey at http://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths.
Meaning in Life– “He who has a why to love for can bear with almost any how” Nietzche-
Meaning in life varies from person to person. It is not what the meaning is, but rather it is the specific meaning of our lives at a given moment.
Do you:
- Understand yourself in relation to the world?
- Understand your unique fit in the world?
- Have you identified what you are trying to accomplish in your life or are you looking towards the next stage of your journey to find meaning?
When we have a meaning to our life, we build a better sense of self-worth, can identify what matters most to us and move our energy towards a positive outcome. Greater sense of well-being, self-transcendence, resiliency, optimism, self-esteem, and longevity can all result from knowing what our meaning is. This leads to greater joy, love, satisfaction and can help to buffer negative effects of stress. It helps to create a flourishing life.