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Edith Gonzalez
Good to be or good to be. These are terms that mean or lead to the same thing. And what the humanists are currently promoting. This is not a new topic, since we can find it in the writings of Greek thinkers and philosophers from ancient Greece, who already talked about eudaimonia, which is understood as happiness that comes from a good spirit, genius or conscience.
However, for us older people, this term may have taken on a different meaning, more like good deeds. We grew up in a society that cultivated grief, pain, punishment, in a church that dragged us to hell for an imperfect life.
And in some cases, perhaps fear was stronger than conscience, but the behavior as a whole tended to act well.
The same psychology was devoted to trying to change our behavior, feelings and even thoughts. And more than once trying to mend broken hearts. Speaking of rewards and punishments.
However, twenty-five years ago, Martin Seligman, as president of the American Psychological Association (APA), pointed out that psychology as a science aims to both heal what is broken and bring out the best in every person.
And this idea, which he put forward in his inaugural address, spawned a huge legacy of research into human well-being, positive and virtuous aspects of behavior, which has come to be called positive psychology.
The theory of well-being in positive psychology states: “Well-being consists of five elements: positive emotions, optimal experiences, interpersonal relationships, meaning in life and achievements, and a transverse axis consisting of character strengths. “
Although Viktor Frankl already earlier, after his experience as a prisoner of war in Nazi concentration camps, spoke and wrote about the importance of the meaning of life for full development.
Considering the development of the values of creativity, experience and attitude, as well as the lack of meaning, such as neurosis, that many people experience.
Positive psychology integrates the development of a sense of life as the fourth element of well-being and classifies character strengths in terms of transcendence, especially represented in the strength of spirituality.
Exploring psychological well-being, identifying, measuring and managing the promotion of healthy lifestyles in various contexts of human effort.
Thus, many new gyms and physical health programs, self-help groups, and methods such as aromatherapy, art therapy, mindfulness, are being strengthened in the quest to be healthy and feel good.
Of course, this quest for my well-being must be accompanied by the well-being of the other, with my acting responsibly, with commitment and respect. Because if I do damage in search of my well-being, we will return to the time of the caves.
And perhaps we should ask ourselves at this moment where this frantic search is taking us not for well-being, but for pleasure, without responsibility, obligation or respect. One night I don’t even remember who. Early morning when I don’t remember how much I drank or ate. And even worse is uncontrolled desire, a synonym for a huge inner emptiness.
YOU CANNOT ACHIEVE WELL-BEING UNLESS YOU FIRST FIND RESPECT FOR YOURSELF AS A HUMAN.
