03/03/2021
This is so true, a very real problem today 💔
Can you relate to this quote, either as a helping professional or anyone who interacts with human beings? Do you see the beauty in people who fail to see it themselves?
And most critically, do you see your own inner beauty?
This quote, by our own Hugo Alberts, unveils the essence of positive psychology. All human beings have positive qualities at their core, in the form of personal values, strengths, and intrinsic motivations. But as we journey through life, we lose the capacity to view these qualities, limiting our true potential and the process of human flourishing.
Why do we end up seeing ourselves through a lens of “have-to's” and “should’s” in order to feel good enough, ultimately losing touch with our authentic self?
How can we illuminate and remove these layers of problematic thoughts and behaviors that obscure our true nature? How can we act to reconnect with our authentic selves?
These are the questions at the heart of the positive psychology field. Both researchers and practitioners aim to discover and utilize methods to help people behave more in line with their personal values, consciously using their strengths and choosing activities that are guided by their intrinsic motives.
The ultimate aim is to move the population towards flourishing.
Are we there yet? And if not, what will this take?
We would love to hear your views on these critical questions within the positive psychology field. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.