Name

Professors Name

Human Services

22 June 2012

Positive Psychology Vulnerability Paper (Flourishing)

Martin Seligman is an advocate of positive psychology and believes that positive thinking leads to happiness in life. The essay examines one of the five ways as proposed, by the psychologist that could be used to assess what needs improvement in people’s lives as highlighted. This entails ways of improving on the weaknesses while, on the other hand, maintaining the strengths in order to be happy in life.

Overview of the Situation

I believe that I could be going through problems in my relationship with other people. Despite the fact that I am married and old enough to make critical decisions in life, I cannot make new friends in the US having lived in the country for eight years. This is due to the fact that am shy and therefore, unable to share ideas with others.

The Area of PERMA the writer needs to improve so as to enhance happiness

I need to improve on relationships with others, which is beneficial to almost all normal persons. In order for one to be happy, there is need to relate with other people. This is due to the fact that no person is independent in life. Although some individuals may think that they are self independent, interdependency is essential in all walks of life. A relationship is a link up that subsists between two or more people. Relationships could be maintained through trust and love, and all human beings need to interact with other people in their daily lives so as to enhance happiness.

What would be most helpful for you in dealing with this situation?

I believe that by relating with other people, I would get diversified benefits that would later enhance happiness in life. Relationships have shown enormous advantages in human lives. In other words, relationships form part of the fundamental human needs. Apart from the three basic needs, there is also joy and this can only be achieved if one relates with other people in a positive way.

The chief merit of relationships is that they wipe away stress and depression. In order to come out of depression, one needs to relate with family members, friends and neighbors around him. Relationships help one to share physical resources as well as leading ideas that are especially critical in making decisions in life. Some individuals think that relationships; can only happen with the opposite sex, but this is wrong and people with such perceptions should change and realize that relationships also entails interactions with people of the same sex. In fact, there are various forms of relationships including parents and their children, sisters and brothers, girlfriends and boyfriends among others.

What positive strategies could be considered?

In order to deal with the situation, I think there is need to improve on my relationships with others so as to increase happiness. Before I could start up a relationship, there is need to choose a partner who has an understanding on the various issues in life. This is because, misunderstanding brings failure to relationships and thereby sadness. In the relationship, it is tremendously crucial to be capable of coping up with the problems in life. A reliable partner should encourage one to cope with the problems faced on a daily basis. The coping skills gives one room to relieve emotional stress and despair that may destroy ones happiness.

What strengths do you need to cultivate to work on this situation?

In addition, the coping skill assists in maintaining a positive attitude towards the difficulties of life. However, in order to have a close relationship that would bring forth joy, it is essential to focus on various strengths. Firstly, trust is especially often necessary in any given relationship. Without trust, it would be difficult to maintain any relationship. In short, the writer of the essay strongly believes that in engaging in any relationship one requires trust for one another.

How would this situation make your life easier?

I also believe that by engaging in a relationship, I would rip off diversified benefits that would enhance happiness in life. In line with this, I believe that my life would be remarkably easy since the relationship would play a crucial role in making important decisions in life.

What are you willing to do?

I am willing to relate with anybody who has a clear understanding of life and the various problems encountered in people’s daily life. In addition, I require someone who knows how to cope with difficulties in life. Besides, I need someone who has positive thinking and at all times condones any kind of wrong doing.

From the above deliberations, it is crystal clear that relationships could lead to happiness in life. In line with this, it would be fair to suggest that a stress free life is a life full of happiness and jubilation. Relationships sweeps away tears brought about by depression and stress. Indeed, a healthy relationship is a source of happiness.