Back in 2002, psychologist Martin Seligman wrote about authentic happiness (the title of his book. A couple of years ago he wrote saying happiness was not enough. The best life is one that flourishes. This podcast discusses what he says makes a flourishing life, but then expands it further.
Work plays a huge role in our daily life, and the loss of the ‘substance and challenge of work’; the relationship with colleagues; the place to go to work; and the daily routines can ‘leave a gaping hole, causing people to wonder, with so much new-found spare time, whether they matter anymore’.
Graham Long is a hero. He’s the CEO and pastor of the iconic Wayside Chapel in Sydney’s Kings Cross. It’s a place where he sees life, as he expresses it, ‘from the gutter up, rather than from a university or Parliament House down’.
People need people. That’s true in all types of situations. And the evidence is that when it comes to brain health, we do need people—social connections.
‘Good relationships keep us happier and healthier.’ That’s what Robert Waldinger, the head of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, says their research has discovered.
The goal in life should be to flourish. That’s what psychologist and founder of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, says. During Psychology Week in November, an Australian Wellbeing Survey was published that used his five pillars underpinning the ‘flourishing life’ to comment on wellbeing.
There’s no question that friends are important. Friends are even more important in retirement because it’s easier to become isolated and lonely. Staying connected now can help you prepare for then.
A survey and report by the Harris Poll organisation shows that Americans are envious of friends who put on social media pictures of lavish vacations and purchases. They admit that they do the same thing, but that doesn’t take away the envy.
I’m a grandparent and the scary thing is that, from today, I have adult grandchildren. I’m writing this on the 18th birthday of our twin grandsons. One of them has an exam next week and then they’ll have both finished school. There’s a whole new world ahead of them.
Well-known Australian social researcher Hugh Mackay says, No! Happiness is a somewhat shallow goal and mostly unworkable. Wholeness is the thing to aim for.