On my home page of this site I shared that I received my inspiration from a class assignment.  The whole class has been inspirational.  We have studied several theories on the value of play at large.  One particular psychologist has changed the whole field of psychology for the better.  His name is Martin Seligman.  Martin Seligman founded "Positive Psychology" which studies the factors of wellness rather than illness.  Dr. Seligman has found that people are happiest when they have real meaning in their lives, when they are living for something greater than themselves.  He developed what was called a PERMA model.  Each letter stands for a life strategy to create lasting happiness.  P is for positive emotion. E is for engagement. R is for relationships. M is for meaning and A is for accomplishment.

 

 I discovered that by incorporating my daily gratitude lists, performing random acts of regular kindness, and spending time with people I love will create positive emotions indefinately.  I also discovered that if I incorporate Dr. Seligman's PERMA model I can create real meaning in my life and experience a happiness that can last.  I am motivated to work in "the direction of my dreams" as Henry David Thoreau has advised in his famous historical literature, "Walden".  We are meant to have joy and not boredom and misery.  Because of this model I will work professionally in a job that engages me and allows autonomy.  I listened to a Ted Talk given by Dan Pink that showed that people are more motivated with inspired by "intrinsic values".  Those are the kind of values that give meaning to what you are doing, working for a higher cause.  People like to be given responsibility and the freedom to solve the problem in their own way.  I certainly do and from now on will choose the job in the education industry that allows me to do this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                               

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