In present day society, we are often focused on what is wrong instead of what is right. Everything is viewed in the negative. But what if we looked at the positive and learned from that?

What Is Positive Psychology?

Imagine that you are looking at a butterfly trying to bust out of its cocoon. Using it as a metaphor for life, someone might say that life is hard and we struggle against forces that we aren’t sure of. This is often how psychology works. It asks us what the problem is and tries to come up with solutions and answers from that standpoint.

Let’s look at that butterfly again. What if, instead of looking at the negative aspect, we concentrated on the positive? It takes some time since we aren’t wired to think that way, but it can be done. The butterfly is using its strength to push open to a new world one day at a time. As he pushes out, his wings get stronger. Once he is out, he can soar to the heavens happily.

What about that inner strength? It has a valid place in our lives and our society. That is one of the beliefs of positive psychology.

Positive psychology is the scientific study of the attributes and virtues that cause a person, a community or a family unit to survive and do it well. According to those who practice positive psychology, the human condition is not to rail against adversity, but to find ways to thrive in life independent of circumstance.

Everyone wants to make a life for themselves that is fulfilling. No one starts out striving to be mediocre or live a so-so life. For those who are living exceptional lives, their traits are studied to help others to do exactly the same thing. The tables are turned from using the negative to explain feelings and purpose to viewing the positive and how to find that in each person.

The theory is that when people learn to identify the positives in themselves, they can continue to replicate more positives in their lives and the lives of those around them. This is the basis of research being done in this field.

The goals of positive psychology are:

* Strengthen communities to begin to work together for everyone’s good

* Get people to learn to recognize their strengths and how to build on them for a bright future filled with purpose

* Teach families and schools to help children grow and flourish in the environment

* Train therapists to look for the positives in their patients and cultivate it

* Teach community leaders and others to bring this training to the members in their neighborhoods.

It is believed that positive psychology will build better individuals. These people will have more tolerance of differences, even embracing them for the common good.

Positive psychology is a growing field with a lot of potential in individual lives and communities.