Authentic happiness:

continuing our review of Flourish by Seligman,

Authentic happiness:

1. Positive emotion can be measured by what we feel:

• pleasure
• rapture
• ecstasy
• warmth
• comfort

2. Engagement – about flow – being one with music, time stopping, loss of self-consciousness during an absorbing activity – uses up all thought and feeling – EFFORTLESS – Opposite to positive emotion: If in the flow you may not ‘feel’ anything

3. Meaning – Positive emotion and engagement are transitory, often solitary – we also need purpose.. belonging to and serving something bigger- religion; political party, boys scout or even the family.

4. Goal of authentic happiness is increased life satisfaction but for well being it is increasing flourishing by increasing:

• positive emotion
• engagement
• meaning
• positive relationships
• accomplishment.