Positive Psy-5

Instructions: Respond to the following posts with 150-200 words.

Heather

Share what Truth means to you.

My initial instinct is to define truth as factual information free from gray areas, exceptions, or uncertainties. In certain cases, this perspective holds true; for instance, someone is either a student or they are not. However, sometimes, I must remind myself that we must consider perception. For most people, the sky appears blue, while for those who are colorblind, it may look like a different shade. What may be true for one person might not hold the same validity for another. Therefore, it is important to step back and consider things from someone else's perspective—much like the saying, "walk a mile in their shoes"—and then determine what can be accepted as truth.

Explain how you discern Truth in your life.

Truth is based on facts that a person believes are accurate. We form theories from our beliefs, which lead us to accept certain things as truth. However, the inclination to take facts at face value should sometimes be examined, as truth may not always be what it seems. It is essential to differentiate between what is fact and what is merely opinion or hearsay. This is where discernment becomes important, and we must evaluate further to seek the true nature of reality. 

Annika

a. Share what Truth means to you.

To me, truth is a guide through life. It's about being honest with myself and others, and living in a way that aligns with my values and beliefs. Truth brings clarity and trust into relationships and helps create a foundation of mutual respect and understan

b. Explain how you discern Truth in your life.

I discern Truth in my life by staying true to my values and beliefs, being honest with myself and others, and seeking understanding in all situations. 

6.1 Sharing Truth

Getting Started

In this series of devotionals, we looked at the power of unity and then at the power of hope in our lives. We examined the nature of “Truth” and we shared how we are able (or unable) to discern Truth when we encounter messages in our lives.

In this brief but powerful experiential devotional, we will be taking a close look at what we believe to be true about our lives—particularly about our relationship with God in our lives—and then sharing that truth with one other person. Then, we will listen to another’s “Truth” and respond with respect and love, even if that Truth differs dramatically from our own.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Share your Truth with another person.

· Listen to the Truth of another person and respond with respect and love.

Background Information

Prayerfully consider your relationship with God. When did you first start thinking about God? What do you know about Him? What have been some of your experiences with God? How would you describe your relationship with Him?

Find one other person in your life and share your experience about your relationship with God. This conversation is not about trying to get that other person to believe the same things you believe, or to experience the same things you have experienced. This exercise is simply to share what you know to be true about your own relationship with God. Then, find a person (this can be the same person with whom you have shared your experience of God and His Truth or someone else) to have share his or her experience of God. Let that person know that this will not be a persuasive discussion, but a discussion to simply share experiences, compare experiences, and respond in love and respect for one another.

Instructions

1. Choose one person and share  your Truth with him or her.

2. Listen to  another person’s Truth with respect and love.

3. respond to the following:

a. How did you feel as you shared your Truth?

b. If the other person’s Truth is different from yours, was it difficult to remain open and respectful as you listened?

c. How did you respond with respect and love?

4. Your postings should also:

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.

c. Provide clarification to classmates’ questions and insight into the discussion.

5.1 Discerning Truth Getting Started

What is Truth to you? Is there an absolute Truth? Is truth dependent upon the person and thus “subject” to each individual’s interpretation of it? Or, does Truth exist outside of one’s subjective perspective and opinion? Is it absolute and thus exists independent of what you or I say, do, think, or believe?

If Truth exists outside of our subjective nature, if it is independent of our interpretation or belief system, then how do we discern what Truth really is? Do we know it when we hear it? Do we feel it when we experience it? How can we trust ourselves to know what is True and what is merely opinion?

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Share what Truth means to you.

· Explain how you discern Truth in your life.

Background Information

Consider the following passage from John, Chapter 10:

Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered around Him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify about Me, but you do not believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Again His Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone Him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? If He called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—what about the one whom the Father set apart as His very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse Me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? Do not believe me unless I do the works of My Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” Again they tried to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp. Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There He stayed, and many people came to Him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus. (John 10:22–42)

How was it that some heard Jesus and understood His message and meaning, while others did not believe Him and instead wanted to stone him? If you were listening to His message, would you listen and hear Him? Would you believe His message to be True? How would you know?

Instructions

1. respond to the following:

a. Share what Truth means to you.

b. Explain how you discern Truth in your life.

2. Your postings should also:

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.

5.2 The Quest for Meaning and Purpose

Getting Started

In order to have hope about the future, you have to have a purpose for why you are doing what you are doing in your life. True meaning and purpose come largely from belonging to and being part of something that is bigger than your own life or sense of self. Sounds easy enough, right? So, why do so many people seem unclear about what their life purpose is? Is it just as simple as finding a problem in the world to solve or getting behind a cause you believe in? For some, that may be all they need. But, for most people, it requires more clarity.

If you are going to choose a problem to solve or a cause to support, which one do you choose that will sustain your interest for the long term? Sometimes the world’s problems seem too big or perhaps we see ourselves as too small to make any measurable difference. Or maybe we are just overwhelmed by the events in our own life that seem to sap our motivation and energy for larger issues.

Your life purpose needs to include two crucial components: 1) it needs to fit with who you are (which includes your individual personality, energy, interests, and passion), and 2) it needs to make a positive contribution toward helping the lives of others.

Sometimes we deliberately pursue a path of purpose and meaning and sometimes it comes to us. In the case of Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in California, the path to his current purpose came to him simply because he wanted to share some ideas he had. So he wrote a book. He never intended his ideas to go beyond the confines of his congregation. To his amazement, the book took off and became one of the biggest-selling books of all time. It created an enormous opportunity and many paths for additional purpose and involvement. As part of this discussion’s preparatory material, you’ll have an opportunity to hear his inspiring story. You also have the opportunity to begin thinking about your own sense of purpose and meaning and how you might also help others define their calling.

As you discuss the issue of purpose and meaning with others (this is the “M” in the PER MA model), think carefully about how your chosen area of specialization (life coaching and positive psychology) fits into a purpose statement you could create as you move forward. Don’t be afraid to have big dreams that could benefit large numbers of people. Better to have an expansive vision and narrow it down than to have no vision for the future and look back on your life or career with regrets because you didn’t take any risks.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Describe how positive psychology speaks to the issues of meaning and purpose.

Background Information

Before you begin this discussion, read Chapter 5 in  The Science of Virtue. Write down what you think your current purpose statement is for your life. Then watch the TED talk by Rick Warren “Living a Life of Purpose” followed by your response to the discussion questions. Then, during or after the discussion, revisit your purpose statement to see if you want to expand or revise it. In other words, were you inspired by the video and/or discussion to make changes in how you want to carve out a sense of purpose for your life?

Instructions

1. Read Chapter 5, “Hope,” in your textbook,  The Science of Virtue: Why Positive Psychology Matters to the Church.

2. Watch the Pastor Rick Warren video “Living a Life of Purpose” (transcript is available on a tab in the video player):

3. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following discussion questions:

a. In your own words, summarize what you understand positive psychology to say about the importance of meaning and purpose in life.

b. Compare or contrast this with the life of purpose that Rick Warren talks about in the video. Be specific.

c. How does hope in the future relate to having meaning and purpose? Said another way: Why does a lack of hope in the future (for any number of reasons) diminish a person’s meaning and purpose?

d. On a scale of 1 (low) to 5 (high), what number would you assign to the degree of meaning and purpose you feel in your life right now? Explain.

e. How might you apply what you have learned from these resources to finding a greater sense of purpose in your own life and to helping others find their path?

4.Your post should be between 400 and 500 words long.

f. If you use outside sources in your discussion comments, be sure to include APA-formatted, in-text citations to support your post. You may use your readings for this assignment for your citations.

4. Your postings should also:

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking, supported by at least two academic sources.

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.

6.2 Flourishing

Getting Started

In daily conversation, most people do not use the word “flourish” with any frequency. In fact, many people might find it hard to accurately define the term. Here’s a simple definition: To flourish is to grow or develop in a  healthy or vigorous way. With that definition in mind, who doesn’t want to flourish in their life? The real question isn’t whether we want to flourish but  how.

For starters, we need to distinguish flourishing from happiness. While there is certainly overlap, the two concepts are not the same thing. For many years, Martin Seligman built his theory of Positive Psychology around this concept of happiness. So now, when people refer to Positive Psychology, they think of the science of happiness.

But to his credit, Seligman didn’t just keep reiterating the same research. He delved further into new findings. And he has emerged with the concept of flourishing. According to Seligman, flourishing moves beyond the concept of happiness or even well-being. He believes for a person to flourish they must pay careful attention to five aspects of living. You have already been exploring them in this course without having the word flourishing attached to them. We’re referring here to the PERMA model:

· Positive emotion – increasing positive emotions, which includes happiness but includes more

· Engagement – engaging with the world and our work, including our passions

· Relationships – developing deep and meaningful relationships

· Meaning – finding meaning and purpose in our lives

· Accomplishment – achieving our goals by recognizing, developing, and applying our strengths and talents

We circle back around to these five aspects of living in this discussion because it is one of the most important and promising topics within Positive Psychology, and according to Seligman, flourishing holds the key to improving the quality of life for people who choose to take it seriously.

Think of this discussion as an integrative exercise where you get to see all five aspects in context and assess what they mean for you and how each interfaces with your concept of spiritual formation. Flourishing in this sense offers a more holistic perspective on what it means to be well, be connected to others, do good work, and make a difference in the world.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Examine how flourishing relates to positive psychology and the “Good Life.”

Background Information

To get the most from this discussion, think carefully about how the five factors of living, as showcased in the PERMA model, can be applied to your life. It’s tempting at the end of the course to simply jump through the next assignment hoop in order to wrap up your assignments, but this integrative exercise, combined with the feedback and insights from others in the discussion, could be one of the most personally meaningful assignments in the entire course. Try to give it the time and energy it deserves.

Instructions

1. Read Chapter 6, “Grace,” in your textbook  The Science of Virtue: Why Positive Psychology Matters to the Church.

2. Review/watch the following resources:

a. Article: “ Flourishing in Positive Psychology: Definition + 8 Practical Tips (new tab) ”

b. Video: “Human Flourishing” (transcript available on the video site)

c. Video: “Ken Robinson on Flourishing” and/or read the  video transcript

3. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following discussion questions:

a. In your own words, how would you describe the concept of flourishing?

b. How would you distinguish “flourishing” from “happiness”?

c. How does flourishing integrate with true spiritual formation? Give an example.

d. Reflect on and write about other aspects of flourishing that the PERMA model may not address.

e. Which of the five PERMA elements that make up the ability to flourish do you personally most need to work on? Explain.

Your post should be between 400 and 500 words long.

f. If you use outside sources in your discussion comments, but sure to include APA-formatted, in-text citations to support your post. You may use your readings for this assignment for your citations.

Your postings should also:

g. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking, supported by at least two academic sources.

h. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.

i. Provide clarification to classmates’ questions and insight into the discussion.

j. Be posted on three different days during the workshop.