Now with this responsive web design, you can easily change the text size to fit your eyesight needs.
If you browse on a desktop computer, a modern web browser will allow you to hold down the Ctrl key (Command key on a Macintosh) and press the + or - key to increase or decrease the text size, and 0 to go back to the default size.
On a smartphone or a tablet, you can simply pinch open on the screen to zoom in (i.e. to enlarge) and pinch close to zoom out (i.e. to reduce) everything.
You may also change the text size from the menu.
On the Page menu, select Zoom, then Larger.
The more developed a society, the more intense feelings of loss and unhappiness within an individual. Developed society like the United States, rates of depression are ten times higher today than they were in the 1960’s. The average age for onset of depression also turns much younger. So, what can we do to make ourselves happier ? This is one of the reasons why “Positive Psychology” is receiving more and more attention in the recent years.
In the field of psychology, there are 3 missions: treating the psychological problems of people, helping people to lead more fulfilling lives, facilitating people to identify and develop their abilities. “Positive Psychology” focuses on the exploration of the last 2 missions and also in the promotion of developing positive psychology both in the society and in the individual.
If you want to be positive psychologically, you need to have the following two:
1) Positive thinking
2) Positive personality
“Positive thinking” is the leading of one’s thinking towards the positive direction. If you have “positive thinking”, you will feel a much calmer inner self, your ability to manage problems is enhanced and your impact on the environment is also positive.
“Positive thinking” usually has the following characteristics:
If your thinking pattern is similar to the following, you already have “positive thinking”. Please continue to develop them:
However, if your thinking pattern is similar to the following and you want to have “positive thinking”, you will need to examine the direction of your present thinking and make some adjustments:
Please do the following self-examination first:
If you want to have “positive thinking”, you will need to expand and develop the “positive thinking” you have at present as well as changing negative thinking into positive ones. If you don’t change your negative thinking, your negative thinking will continue to further expand, thus, occupying most of your thinking pattern. This is why if you want to have “positive thinking”, you will need to know how to say “Stop!” to your negative thinking and then changing the negative thinking into positive ones.
Techniques for changing negative thinking into “positive thinking”:
You think about what you need, not what you don’t need.
Use the “present” mode in your thinking, not the “future” mode. The affirmation from the “present” will strengthen the chance of success in the future.
Characteristics of “positive personality”:
When facing danger or crisis, still believe in and hoping for positive results
Possess a lot of interest, vigour, passion and inner motivation
Have strong belief that when in need, inner self, others and self-persistence will provide help and guidelines to self
Doing things in an honest, open and fair way
When facing uncertainties, is willing to bear the risk to overcome or manage the uncertainties
No doubts about own ability, endowment and potential
Won’t give up easily on one’s aim or target
Willing to wait for the appearance of opportunity, favourable conditions and results
Able to maintain a clear mind, balanced mindset and spending time for reflective thinking in times of problems and crisis
Maintain concentration through defining and prioritizing objectives
The above characteristics of “positive psychology” are actually inborn. Due to negative environmental factors, they are being more or less suppressed. Through conscious and deliberate effort, they could be revived. If you want to rediscover and arouse these “positive personality” of yours, you need to know the difference between the existing levels of “positive personality” that you have with those listed above before you can make relevant adjustments.
Checklist for difference in levels of “positive personality”:
The following “positive personality” checklist can act as a guideline for you when making “positive personality” adjustments:
Positive Personality | Too Much | Too Little |
---|---|---|
Optimistic | not practical | pessimistic |
Enthusiastic | not sincere | aloof, indifferent |
Belief | blind obedience | indecisive, hesitant |
Integrity | hypocritical, over-moralistic | immoral |
Courage | blind courage, poor judgement | coward, having no idea of own |
Faith | aloof, arrogant | lack self-confidence, tend to waver |
Determinant | stubborn | give up easily |
Patience | indecisive | in a haste, impetuous |
Composed | lack of motives, appear lazy | restless, hot-temper |
Concentrated | narrow-minded, lacking foresight | dispersed, lacking organization |
(Special thanks to Dr Denise Tsang-Law (Clinical Psychologist, Castle Peak Hospital) for authoring this article)