I was given a book. well yay. Butit is one of the most uplifting and positive works I have ever picked up and Im only part way into it.Some of the references in it referred to what a Dr. Martin Seligman has done in his research on happiness and well-being. Asked what would make someone happy there comes a list of things like get a job, get a better job win lotto, find the love of their life and so on. all these are if you note in the future. He determined that we need a sense of well being here and now not in some future event. His research resulted in him naming 5 pillars. or P.E.R.M.A.
- Positive emotions
- engagement
- relationships
- meaning
- accomplishment.
I have said here before that having gone to college in my middle age I have seen these things and realized them into my life. No not in any dump-truck quantity but in modest firm measure where they were not there before. I found that on receiving my diplomas I was walking taller than I ever did at high school all those years ago where so many teachers (yes i know not all) used scathing criticism and ridicule as tools. My working life too was often stymied by negative situations and people whose fuel for the day was stuffing up some other poor soul.
He came up with P.E.R.M.A.
So Positive emotions are the first pillar of wellbeing additional ones are SELF-ESTEEM AND OPTIMISM.
engagement he says refers to being totally involved in a task with purpose and commitment.
Meaning, pertains to belonging to and serving that which is greater than ourselves.
Accomplishment relates to what we achieve in our lives. He stated that the 'A' equals skill and effort. Acknowledging and celebrating our achievements' contributes to our wellbeing.
In my reading it jumped at me that the wt represents the very opposite of what this man has stated. So what? Well I find that the PERMA things are for me the very essence of what we are trying to achieve with an education.
If you read the headings and reverse them into a negative you will find what is to me a statement of the wt toward education. Then you must ask why would any org do that and what is its driving force.?
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I hope this is of use to any of the young folk who write in here or the parents of young ones who are at school and thinking, 'What the f*** do I need to do all this for?" To achieve the perma in your life do all you can to achieve at your studies and seek help in subjects that stuff you. (mine was maths-it was only a few years ago I found out I am dyslexic)
I am not putting this together very well but the big line for me is the accomplishment and walking tall out of your efforts.
Live long and prosper in peace...............
The book is called Love, Laughter and Longevity; The Art and science of well being. by Janni Goss. (Global) ISBN:9781922118813.