Positive Personal Emotions
Traditionally, psychology has focused on identifying and
treating mental disease. However, the new field of positive psychology can help
us identify and cultivate personal strengths so as to pursue happiness and enjoy
positive emotions. This constructive outlook frees us from heavy burdens of
regret for our past, unnecessary sadness in our present, and fear of our
future.
Many people spend too much time entertaining sorrow, blame,
and guilt over events from their past. However, the past is unchangeable. All
we can do now is contemplate the
past, learn from it, accept our present situation and decide how we intend to
move on. Consuming ourselves with negativity is never productive. If we want to
be able to forgive others and want others to be able to forgive us, we must
start with learning how to accept our own forgiveness.
The present is what we have. Right now, we can experience
this moment, interpret it for better or worse and make a choice. We can be
happier if we act virtuously – in harmony with our values. Many people have
realized that acting out of harmony with their values produces a lot of unnecessary
stress.
