THE SIX HAPPINESS TOOLS
Martin Seligman is leading the Positive Psychology movement
in which he encourages us to find and build on our signature
strengths as one of the steps to being authentically happy.
The research is showing that it is possible to learn to be
happy but people often look for happiness in the wrong places.
Dan Baker has authored a book entitled, "What Happy People Know".
In it, he tells us that fear is "hardwired into our being" but
that we, as humans, can overcome this genetic predisposition and
live happy, healthy lives. He lists the six happiness tools that
one can use to become truly happy.
They are:
1. Appreciation
Appreciation is the purest, stronges form of love. When a
person offers their appreciation to another, it is like giving
a gift of yourself. Baker states that the research shows that
appreciation and fear cannot occur at the same time. So if
one is appreciative, they cannot be fearful. Fear, based in the
older, reptilian brain is strong but appreciation and love, a
product of the human part of the brain, the neocortex, is
stronger.
2. Choice
Choice is the father of freedom. When an individual has no choices
or options, they feel locked up, helpless and anxious. This
condition leads to learned helplessness. Sometimes we lose sight
of the choices that we have when we let fear take over. We thus
become self limiting. Exercising our choice helps us feel free,
bringing greater happiness.
3. Personal Power
Personal power is the force that give you power over your feelings
and your fate. The two components of personal power are taking
responsibility and taking action. You realize that your life belongs
to you and that you can do something about it. It keeps you from
being a victim.
4. Leading with your Strengths
We all have signature strengths, talents and abilities that help
to define who we are. When we give in to our fears, we focus
on our weaknesses and we only become more fearful. By focusing
on our stregths, we feel better, more confident and secure, like
we can begin to solve the problems set before us.
5. The Power of Language and Stories
Our language has the power to alter our perception. When we
continually tell ourselves negative things, we feel weaker and
more fearful. When we use the language of our strengths we feel
freer and more secure. When we tell ourselves we can, we do.
Sories work the same ways. We can interpret events in our lives
as horror stories or heroic stories. We have the choice.
6. Multidimensional living
Baker identifies the three components of life: relationships, health
and purpose (usually work). When we put too much energy in only
one area, our life becomes unbalanced and we limit our lives.
By maintaining a balance in our lives, we have more than enough
positive energy to live the happiness of a full life.
in which he encourages us to find and build on our signature
strengths as one of the steps to being authentically happy.
The research is showing that it is possible to learn to be
happy but people often look for happiness in the wrong places.
Dan Baker has authored a book entitled, "What Happy People Know".
In it, he tells us that fear is "hardwired into our being" but
that we, as humans, can overcome this genetic predisposition and
live happy, healthy lives. He lists the six happiness tools that
one can use to become truly happy.
They are:
1. Appreciation
Appreciation is the purest, stronges form of love. When a
person offers their appreciation to another, it is like giving
a gift of yourself. Baker states that the research shows that
appreciation and fear cannot occur at the same time. So if
one is appreciative, they cannot be fearful. Fear, based in the
older, reptilian brain is strong but appreciation and love, a
product of the human part of the brain, the neocortex, is
stronger.
2. Choice
Choice is the father of freedom. When an individual has no choices
or options, they feel locked up, helpless and anxious. This
condition leads to learned helplessness. Sometimes we lose sight
of the choices that we have when we let fear take over. We thus
become self limiting. Exercising our choice helps us feel free,
bringing greater happiness.
3. Personal Power
Personal power is the force that give you power over your feelings
and your fate. The two components of personal power are taking
responsibility and taking action. You realize that your life belongs
to you and that you can do something about it. It keeps you from
being a victim.
4. Leading with your Strengths
We all have signature strengths, talents and abilities that help
to define who we are. When we give in to our fears, we focus
on our weaknesses and we only become more fearful. By focusing
on our stregths, we feel better, more confident and secure, like
we can begin to solve the problems set before us.
5. The Power of Language and Stories
Our language has the power to alter our perception. When we
continually tell ourselves negative things, we feel weaker and
more fearful. When we use the language of our strengths we feel
freer and more secure. When we tell ourselves we can, we do.
Sories work the same ways. We can interpret events in our lives
as horror stories or heroic stories. We have the choice.
6. Multidimensional living
Baker identifies the three components of life: relationships, health
and purpose (usually work). When we put too much energy in only
one area, our life becomes unbalanced and we limit our lives.
By maintaining a balance in our lives, we have more than enough
positive energy to live the happiness of a full life.
