Interdisciplinary Psychology:

     I wish more people knew about Positive Psychology.  Most people don’t realize how much power they have to shape their experience. When people believe that things just “are the way they are” they become passive observers in their own lives. This increases susceptibility to depression and other mental illness and creates a victim culture, in which the individual is void of personal responsibility for their actions. People see life as all or nothing, you’re either successful and self-motivated, or you’re not. If not, too bad for you!  Despite what we’ve all been taught, the evidence confirms that the valuable life skills necessary to thrive are almost entirely learnable. Positive coping strategies, happiness, optimism, even talent!

Going Up

I.            As is true with many people, lifting my mood is synonymous with exercise.  The endorphins high and the sense of well-being that I get from taking care of my body through running, biking, weights, basketball, rock-climbing and swimming are essential for my sanity—especially during winter in the Northwest. 

Lately, my core practice has been jogging in the morning.  I often wake up in a fog, and don’t want to even think about doing anything, so therefore I have learned to completely disregard what my mind tells me as I come to grips with daylight.  Instead I go into this autopilot mode where, I pop out of bed throw on my maroon shorts, grab my headphones and dash outside into the brisk near freezing air the other part of me has time to protest.   

Activity 2: “Do Unto Others.” 

            I am greedy. There I said it. I wouldn’t say that I’m the stingiest person I know but I’m definitely not the first guy in the bar to start buying drinks for people. This has always been a problem for me. I’m pretty sure it has to do with the fact that when I was growing up my parents always stressed the importance of money. They would tell me, “Sure, follow your dreams we will always support you (emotionally that is). But you have to realize that most musicians are poor, and Brandon coming from two people who know you pretty well, being poor isn’t something we think you’d enjoy.” 

Activity 1: Elevator Ride.

            A while ago, I created this weekly morning routine for myself in order to add more structure to the start of my day.  You see, I work nights in a restaurant / bar that has fairly late hours. To be specific this means that on average I arrive at work at about 5:00 PM and make it back home around 11:30 PM. By the time I actually get into bed to fall a sleep it’s generally around 2:00AM.

            An In introduction to Positive Psychology was one of the more enjoyable textbooks I have read throughout my college career. William C. Compton choice to format his book in small sub-sections with in the chapters made the information much easier to process and retain. The comprehensive history of positive psychology that Compton provides throughout the book was also a great addition. Having a historical account to reference allowed me to gain a much clearer understanding of what elements of “traditional psychology” lead Seligman and others to create this fairly new field of positive psychology.