Let the Journey Begin

Dr. Martin Seligman started the positive psychology movement over 15 years ago. He sparked my interest after I learned that his research inspired the design behind the building I live in at the University of Wollongong. 

I live in the first positive living residence in the world. 

   Just as he says in the video the most helpful way for a young person to foster a meaningful purpose in life is to live in an environment that promotes positivity. He discovered through research that focusing on your strengths rather than neutralizing your weaknesses' will heighten your level of happiness.

I also found his three lives of happiness interesting. He says they encompass three measurements of happiness in each one. The most important is the seeking of meaning, where you find the areas of life you strive in and learn to increase the use of those traits in your everyday life.

Lessons of love and finding the meaning behind your work were also very interesting topics he touches on. I highly recommend this video if you are interested in enriching the level of happiness in your life. Watch the full thing because it gets better as it goes.

Recognize your strength, respect your journey, and reflect on your endurance. 

      A case of wanderlust for these two? A lifestyle familiar to the privilege of having the ability to stretch out into the vast world around them without any real obligations. It looks like a dream to some but is it really that far fetched? 

       Without an iPhone, without a social network, and without half of your possessions, can you hang?

 1. Walk around barefoot, it reconnects you with the natural energy field of the Earth. All those tech devices you sleep next to, have attached to your hand, and stare at every bored second of your life are robbing you of this reconnecting time. 

2. Stop eating fast-food. Hey ladies, do you ever want to have kids without the risk of birth defects? This might be an important tip for you then. Even though fast-food is cheaper now it will add up in the medical bills you receive from all the health problems it causes. 

3. Shop local. Getting yourself into debt to look good? If you want a sustainable relationship then think about your personality not your appearance. Buy from thrift stores if you do. Reuse, recycle and restyle your wardrobe. Have swaps with friends and family. 

4. Smile and Speak up. If you can't handle what I suggested above at least try this one. I will be up front though, this is the hardest one for people follow through with. It requires you to be vulnerable which stirs fear but buck up kids! Next time you see someone look at you, smile and say hi. 

This is the year of enlightenment, wanderlust full on. 

Sydney Harbor at Sunset, on my way to Manly.