THP Trio Homework 1 (part 2)

Elle Randall

8/11/14

The Happiness Project Trio

Homework 1 (part 2): Dr. Tal lectures 1-4 (reaction paper)

“Perception, Application, Appreciation”

When Dr. Tal first introduces Positive Psychology to his students, he stresses the importance not just the informational part of the class, but the transformational part as well. In order to be happier, it is not enough to understand the concepts and ideologies behind this study, it is important to apply these concepts and ideologies to our everyday life. He talked about the brain being this receptacle that the information from this study goes into. But the information alone does not alter the shape of this receptacle. However, if we take this information and begin applying it to our daily lives, then this receptacle, our brain, starts to literally transform. This concept made me think of the past couple of years when I was first introduced to “The Secret” and other similar new age thought books. I understood “The Secret” was teaching, however, I could not get it to work for me, at least not consistently. It was only after I started studying Dr. Tal did I begin to understand that knowing the law of attraction and thinking about it isn’t enough, I must formulate a consistent practice that is in line with this thought.

            Dr. Tal talks about shifting our perception to one that primarily focuses on the good and the positive. Now that doesn’t mean to reject the negative or pretend it doesn’t exist. But far too often, the focus is placed heavily on the illness rather than the well-being; on what ISN’T working versus what IS working.  He also talks about the magic of appreciation;  “when we appreciate the good, the good appreciates.” So it’s really all about being grateful for our blessings, learning how look at failure and negative situations as positive learning experiences, and practicing and applying everything that we are learning about Positive Psychology and Happiness.

            Since I’ve begun studying with Dr. Tal, I’ve begun implementing somewhat of a Happiness practice/routine for myself. From my Happiness Project, to my blog, to my daily thoughts and activities, everything I do fuels my goal of living a happier life. And Dr. Tal is right, Happiness is not just the negation of depression or sadness, not does it rely on extreme external circumstances (if you’re base level is unhappy, even winning the lottery won’t help you attain long term happiness. And vice versa, if you’re base level is happy, no tragedy can keep you unhappy for long), it is something that needs to be worked at and cultivated, day by day, thought by thought. It is simply a more mindful and active way of living. Rather than letting Life drive us, we are driving it, and steering it in a more positive and happier direction.