User Login
You are all getting too happy, too quickly!
Captain Ecstatic here!
As I have been reviewing the entries, I have noticed a number of themes beyond candlelit baths. It appears many of you have become familiar with forms of meditation (especially mindfulness practices), are working to learn or improve strategies for rumination, and are invested in interpersonal encounters in relation to the elevator ride assignment.
I have also been intrigued by the different things you have chosen to do (or stumbled upon) in "Doing unto Others." Your responses confirm the research that shows philanthropic efforts tend to stick with us much longer than pleasurable experiences. It will be interesting to talk about this in light of the issue of self-interest, and self as a value base, which was reflected in "The Century of the Self" video we watched. Why have we chosen to focus so much on ourselves, when we feel better when we focus on others. An interesting paradox.
We will be expanding on the website this week, and I will be prepared for a great weekend with you all starting next Friday. We will cover the Compton book in seminar, seminar on the assigned activities, do some quick in-class activities, I will do two lectures, and we will work on play roles, tasks, content and supporting research. I will have a detailed outline of a script that we can shape as we fill in content. Thanks for all your hard work. I'm pleased to be a part of your happiness journey.
Adios
Yes, I heard this same study on the radio this morning. I was wondering if we could relate this to Dr. Hurst's sister in law? She is so happy he said that "if the cat came in and vomited on the carpet she'd find something wonderfully artistic about it", and he can't be around her for long periods of time before he has to leave. Would these be the same people we refer to as 'airheads'? They 'bounce' when the walk, almost a skip...
Just wondering.
Don't worry. Be happy.
A link to this article was on www.msn.com today, which I access to get to my hotmail account. This is a funny spin on positive psychology, and an example about how the way one reads results of a study may be more telling than the actual study! The article comes from slade.com. It made me wonder who their corporate sponsors are. Oh wait, it was on msn.com. I see!
A study suggests extreme happiness may be bad for you. Findings: 1) "The highest levels of income, education and political participation were reported not by the most satisfied individuals, but by moderately satisfied individuals." 2) Extremely happy people "earned significantly less money" and earned lower school grades than moderately happy people. 3) They "may not live as long," either. Theories: 1) Happiness makes you complacent and kills your drive. 2) It makes you slow to adapt. 3) It makes you too optimistic and insufficiently vigilant about your health. 4) It may overstimulate your cardiovascular system. Researchers' conclusions: 1) "Happiness may need to be moderated for success." 2) "Extremely high levels of happiness might not be a desirable goal." Human Nature's conclusions: 1) Success may need to be moderated for happiness. 2) Extremely high levels of success might not be a desirable goal.