Authentic Happiness

By R. Puthumai A. Nazarene for the STAFF OF ABSK

Chetna, burdwan
 How Do You Define
Happiness?
 Is it about your latest purchase?
 Dating the best-looking person?
 Winning the lottery?

My definition of happiness is:

______________________________
______________________________
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Psychologists Have Found
 A good definition of real or true
happiness is…

 Feeling many pleasures.

 Feeling few pains.
 Finding satisfaction with life.

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 And Feeling…

 Positive emotions such as...

Satisfaction Zest

Fulfillment Gratitude Hope

Cheer Joy
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 My positive emotions include:
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 Also…
 Real or “authentic happiness” turns
out to be about strengths, character,
and virtues in daily life.

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 How Do I Get There?
 Develop strengths.

 Strengths can help you create hope,

contentment, and satisfaction.

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 Strengths
 Some strengths include:

 Curiosity and interest in the world

 Diligence (being thorough and careful)
 Honesty
 Kindness
 Leadership

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 More Strengths

 Hope
 Modesty
 Humor
 Enthusiasm
 And many more!

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 What Are My Strengths?

 Researchers have come up with a

variety of ways to measure strengths.

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 What Are My Strengths?
 Here are some questions from
Seligman’s Values in Action (VIA)
Strengths Test to help you think
about your strengths.

 How much do these statements apply

to you?

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 What Are My Strengths?

1. I always keep my promises.

2. I always say thank you, even for the
little things.
3. I always look on the bright side.
4. My life has a strong purpose.
5. I always finish what I start.
6. I throw myself into everything I do.

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 Strengths to Virtues
 Using personal strengths usually
leads to pride, satisfaction, joy,
fulfillment, harmony

and…

 By using strengths, you achieve

virtues.
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 Virtues: What’s That?
 Virtues are…

 Showing respect for yourself, others and

the rules you live by.
 The essence of human spirit.
 Your character.

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 Some Virtues

 Wisdom (using knowledge well)

 Courage (facing difficult obstacles)
 Love and humanity (being good to
others)

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 More Virtues

 Temperance (self-control)
 Spirituality and transcendence (finding
meaning beyond the material world)
 Justice (being fair to others)
 Dependability

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 My Virtues

My virtues include:
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________

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 Can I Become Happier?
 If you are not as happy as you want
to be, cheer up!
 It is possible to create happiness!

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 Here Are Some Steps

 Develop strategies to cope with stress

and hardship.
 Focus on the positive.
 Appreciate the good things.
 Be true to yourself and sincere with
others.

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 And…

 Invest time and energy into family and

friends.
 Keep commitments to others.
 Meditate.
 Pray.
 Smile.
 Laugh.

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 Let’s Start…

 Think about strengths.

 My strengths include:

1.

2.

3.

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  Focus on the good in life.

 Some good things in my life are:

1.

2.

3.

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  Once a week, write down 3-5 things you
are thankful for.

 I am thankful for:

1.

2.

3.
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  Practice acts of kindness such as
volunteering or mentoring.

 I will engage in these acts of kindness:

1.

2.

3.
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  Make and meet goals—for the day, the
week, long-term, etc.

 My goals include:

1.

2.

3.
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  Talk out problems or concerns with a good
friend.

 When I am upset I will talk to:

1.

2.

3.
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  Use positive self-talk with statements
such as “I can get through this” and “I
can solve problems.”

 When I am upset I will tell myself:

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____________________________________
____________________________________

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  Take care of your body by getting
enough sleep and exercise.

 I will sleep ______ hours per night

 I will exercise _____ days per week

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 Some benefits of using
strengths and virtues…

 High motivation.
 Feeling involved.
 Greater productivity.
 Achievement of goals.
 Making decisions that are good for you
and for others.

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 As Well As…

 Stronger relationships.
 Positive thoughts and feelings.
 Confidence and pride.
 Satisfaction with life.
and…
 Happiness—real, true, lasting,…
“authentic.”

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 Measurements Of
Happiness
 You can take the entire VIA Strengths
Test, and find other tools that
measure your happiness,
life satisfaction, strengths,
gratitude, and grit at:

 http://www.authentichappiness.org

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 Further Information

 Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic

Happiness: Using the New Positive
Psychology to Realize Your Potential
for Lasting Fulfillment. New York,
NY: The Free Press.

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