happiness

Dec 11

Increase Your Happiness by Increasing Your Gratitude

By DrPaul M-Power

Did you know there is a direct correlation between your level of happiness and your level of gratitude? A study done by Robert A. Emmons and Michael E. McCullough in 2003 shows that individuals who think about gratitude report being 10% happier than those who don’t focus on gratitude. In the study, the participants were divided into three groups. Participants of one group were led through a gratitude exercise, the others were not. When asked to recount 5 experiences from the past week that affected them, participants related more experiences that were categorized as positive than the other groups. Practicing gratitude creates positive thoughts and feelings. When asked to relate our level of happiness, we associate the feelings that are dominant and interpret our answer accordingly. We know that feelings are like spring weather in Seattle. Just wait an hour and they will change. Practicing gratitude helps to create and reinforce positive…

Nov 06

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Until You See it as a Choice, It’s Not

By DrPaul M-Power

You’ve heard it before right? Happiness is a choice. That can sometimes be offensive, especially when I’m not feeling happy. What are you saying? That it’s my fault?! The thing is, until we see it as a choice, it’s not. This is because of a process in our own mind that puts most of our thinking on auto-pilot. We don’t even think about things that we have already programmed into the neural pathways of our mind, so the very processes causing our emotional experience are not even noticed. They are obvious, but unnoticed, until they are called to our attention. This is why I love my job so much – I get to illuminate the obvious, which puts people in position to actually have more choice and control. I’ve summarized the two main processes that make happiness a choice (evaluation and creation) in this 16-minute video. Will you help me share…

Oct 25

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How To Be Happy Now

By DrPaul M-Power

How to use psychology to be happy now. Happiness is a choice – this is how and why.

Oct 25

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Pathological Positivity

By DrPaul M-Power

Is there a program or process that propels us predictably to unprecedented personal power, productivity, and profit? Yes. Pathological Positivity. Our planet is plagued with a pandemic of poisonous pessimism. The popular perception of painful or perturbing problems is pathogenically paralyzing. Pathological Positivity programs and positions us to perceive positive possibilities in problems. It inspires and provokes people to apply positive principles and practices even in paralyzing predicaments. Pathological Positivity isn’t just a program or philosophy, it is a personal preference. It is a programmed proclivity to purposefully opt for the positive from a plethora of possible perceptions. This promotes powerful productivity and profit. Pandemic, pestilent and pernicious pessimism is pummeled into powder as professionals apply and promote pathologically positive paradigms. The payoff is phenomenal prosperity. What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. – Ralph Waldo Emerson Image courtesy of twobee/FreeDigitalPhotos.net about…

Sep 04

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That’s Good!

By DrPaul M-Power

The motivational master, Earl Nightingale promoted Pathological Positivity when he suggested that we learn to habitually respond to even devastating circumstances by saying “that’s good” – then engage our marvelous minds to discover or create what’s good about it. As a psychologist, I see the power in this strategy. Our mind will dutifully fulfill our commands and requests. If we ask our mind to find out what is bad about something we can certainly find supportive evidence. If, on the other hand, we ask our minds to find out what is good about something, our minds will get to work on that. “What could possibly be good about this!?” Well, that’s not a bad question – get busy finding a legitimate answer instead of assuming that there couldn’t be one. life loans It’s our attitude in life that determines life’s attitude toward us. ~ Earl Nightingale

Jul 17

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Positive On Purpose

By DrPaul M-Power

Sometimes I am accused of being pathologically positive, like Pollyanna from the 1960 Disney movie. Is this a compliment or a criticism? I wasn’t sure so I rented the movie. I remember as a child liking the movie. It seems that when I got older, I joined in with the other popular opinions that it was just corny and, well, pollyannaish. Watching it this time, I really paid attention to what Pollyanna was doing in light of my positive psychology practice. Here is a kid who was orphaned at an age when she could understand what was going on. Unquestionably a huge and painful adversity. Her father had been a minister, and taught her a game that she liked to play whenever something difficult or unpleasant was happening – the glad game. The game is that you intentionally look for something to be glad about related to your situation. It is…

Feb 24

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Choose Happiness

By DrPaul M-Power

A common theme lately in my practice has been that of choosing happiness. We stumble around and search and strive for that which will make us happy thinking, “I will be happy when…” or “I would truly be happy if…” The illusion that success will bring happiness traps us in a state of perpetually waiting for it to happen. The real secret is that happiness brings success, not the other way around. Choose happiness – no matter what. Small Business Credit Card Some people stumble through life trying to find the way to happiness, they don’t understand the way IS happiness. Wayne Dyer

Aug 06

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The Happiness Secret

By DrPaul M-Power

Many people go through life constantly searching for the way to happiness. They don’t seem to understand that the way IS happiness. If you want to be a productive and successful person, work on your happiness. I read an article this week by Arthur C. Brooks who said, “Happy people show up for work more, work longer hours, work more joyfully, and are happier with every aspect of their productive lives. Happiness is the secret to success.” That’s the secret folks – happiness brings success, not the other way around. Charity brings happiness, and happiness brings success. – Arthur C. Brooks redteamconsulting.com/031812/data/ Add me as a friend on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/drpauljenkins

Mar 19

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Five Key Relationships

By DrPaul M-Power

I’ve been thinking a lot about our key relationships as I prepare for our couples retreat this weekend. Obviously we are emphasizing the relationship with a spouse for this event, but there are five key relationships in our life – they are: Your Relationship With Your Creator Your Relationship With Yourself Your Relationship With Your Family Spouse Children Extended Family Your Relationship With Other People Your Relationship With Things I have found that the happiest people I know have these relationships prioritized and in this order. Getting them out of order tends to throw things out of whack. Get them lined up and start realizing the happiness you were meant to enjoy.

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