POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
(Pursuit of Happiness, by David Myers)
Positive psychology is a subject deeply discussed, analysed and defined by various researcher and psychologists. Regardless of the differences in definition, the key purpose of the term is similar; whereby it is known of the goals in promoting the wellbeing of people. Positive psychology targets at giving thrill to living and induce human satisfaction to existence. David Myers has perfectly composed a book “Pursuit of Happiness,” which generally talks more of positive psychology. For deeper clarification, this paper entails profound discussion on positive psychology using David’s book.
Summary: David Myers is well known researcher for social psychology, and his work is mostly based on Christian values. Myers is stated to have composed this book, out of the shallow discovery made by psychological literature researcher on happiness. Happiness was among his most focused and self-related subject that he wanted to share with the public. The author critiques little knowledge of subjecting age, education, parental status, sex, place of residence and sex as the key influencers of happiness.
Findings: The author identifies the primary aids existence of happiness as; friends, optimism, realistic expectations, religious life, self-esteem, a good marriage, an outgoing disposition and the feeling of being in control. Myers also suggests that, a desirable trait is the solid platform of creating happiness. In addition, the author identifies two psychological principles involved in happiness, namely; personal experience and social experience. Happiness becomes relative to personal experience in certain circumstances such as job promotion. On the other hand, happiness becomes relative to social experience in the likes of intelligence, wealth comparison and success. David then concludes by stating that, well-being is identified in disciplined life styles, giving and receiving of acceptance and lastly committed relationship.
Reflections
The author has done an exemplary job on identifying and discussing the key aids of happiness in this book. When you relate these findings to the current day-life experience, they appear as area that hold happiness. For example, a good marriage is bounded with happiness unlike families with divorce. Happiness prevails in a good marriage since trust and love is natured, unlike a complicated marriage. However, I tend to disagree on a religious life for happiness to exist. From a logical point of view, being religious is based more on identity and not a character. Characters traits determine happiness creation such as being honest to facilitate a good marriage, which cannot be done on religion reclamation by a person. This fact could indicate that the author had some biasness on religion when creating this content.
The author suggests that, a desirable trait create a room for happiness. The first step of creating the desirable trait is by believing and repetition of related acts to initiate the trait. I believe this is a powerful information or rather a secret rendered to the public by the author. In psychology, repetition of positive behaviors is encouraged to clients; which corresponds to prevalence of desirable trait. With the desirable trait such as being generous, has potential of creating happiness on as spiritual level to the giver. Repetition of this trait instils more of happiness as the act becomes natural.
The identity and explanation of the two principles provide clearer information regarding happiness existence. Defining happiness and its existence is a trouble to many, but the definition and clarification have simplified it in a professional level. With this information, better understanding and creation of happiness can be ultimate if the public get exposed to the content. For example, employers can learn that giving fair promotion creates happiness to employees hence constantly apply the practice.
Real Life connection
The book has identified various grounds that aid in creating happiness in real life. There are three suggested areas by the author namely; friends, self-esteem and realistic goals which unknowingly had limited my happiness in my high school life. During my junior and senior year, the only friends I had were my parents. I was more or less like a nerd, and nerds are preferred or associated with by schoolmate. The point rejection, came into existence during the prom night where my plus one, made appearance with another date. Almost everyone in the room laughed at me, and the social media was filled with unpleasant comments of me being dumped on the prom night. My plus one also texted I later stated “what made you think you could be my date, you are not in my level.” I was mad, mad and lonely but my parents gave me comfort. I started rejecting everyone who tried to befriend me after, as I thought being alone was better. Happiness, was nowhere in my zone until I opened up for friendship to my roommate in the university. Good friend do bring happiness as stated by Myers.
I has very low self-esteem during my high school, as I could not share my goals and desires since I had no friends besides my parents. This limited my chance in being assisted by my peers or teachers as I could not share my personal life with them. My parents tried their best, but it was monotonous, and being a teen I was a bit rebellious regardless the state. However, my current self-esteem is high, thanks to Meyer’s advice in the book, and the friends that I have interacted with in the institution. Lastly but not least, I had unrealistic goals on academics, which always led to frustration in my high school year. Mathematics was my weakest subject, and my target were to shoot from a D to A grade. I was multiply disappointed, until my father advised on setting realistic marks on the subject. Were it not for this advice, I would not have joined the University to peruse my career.
Recommendation of Pursuit of Happiness, by David Myers
I would definitely recommend anybody to enjoy the greatest research on happiness found in this book. Among the many books read on positive psychology, Myers work is the best. The author has managed to reveal happiness complexity to understandable language; meaning one can easily internalize composed work easily. Therefore, it is a book that both psychiatrists and the public can make use of, to create happiness in their lives and to people surrounding them. Again the composed work is well researched and analysed by the author; a professional psychiatrist. Psychiatrist can provide better knowledge on issues pertaining human behavior and environment, and it is fulfilled in this book. If I had the opportunity or exposure of this during my high schoolyear, things would have been different back then, where interactions, self-esteem and goals setting would have worked exemplary. Happiness is a vital subject in human life, and this book can guide you in creating and achieving it in your daily life.
