Don't Shy Away From a Positive Thinking Book

There is a set of human strengths and virtues that have served, for as long as humans have been on this planet, as buffers against mental illness and emotional distress. These include: optimism, courage, interpersonal skills, work ethic, social intelligence, hope, honesty, integrity and perseverance. If we were to create a science based on human strengths, whose mission would be to foster these virtues in people, it would be called positive psychology. In fact, this science that pursues optimal human functioning already exists, and can be learned about in a positive thinking book or even a stress management book.

While most sciences are quite complex, they can all be broken down into basic building blocks. Positive psychology is no different. Just like DNA is comprised of varying permutations of four basic proteins, human emotions are comprised of varying permutations of simple thoughts. Think about it--when you get angry, it doesn't just happen out of the blue. There is a catalyst that creates a thought or set of thoughts in your mind, and those thoughts in turn trigger feelings of anger.

So how do you control negative emotions like anger, stress, sadness, anxiety, depression, etc.? You have to nip those emotions in the bud by shifting your thought patterns before the feelings occur, not only into a more positive direction, but also a more productive one. Remember that, more often than not, panic, anger, stress, and other negative feelings are counter-productive to any positive goals, no matter how large or small. Unless you learn to take negative situations and experiences and use them for personal growth and betterment, they will accumulate and over time, significantly reducing your quality of life.

As you might learn in a stress management book or positive thinking book, positive psychology has three focal points: positive emotions, positive individual traits and positive institutions. Understanding the nature and origin of positive emotions entails the study of contentment with the past, happiness in the present, and hope for the future. The comprehension of positive individual traits consists of the study of human strengths and virtues, such as the capacity for love, integrity, courage, work, compassion, creativity, resilience, self-control, self-knowledge, curiosity, moderation, and wisdom. To understand positive institutions means you must know the strengths that foster better communities, such as civility, responsibility, purpose, justice, parenting, teamwork, leadership, and tolerance.

Written by Mel Bryson. Dr. John Ryder, PhD., uses positive psychology in his positive thinking book. Methods of increasing happiness discussed in this stress management book, more at http://www.positivedirectionsbook.com