April 14, 2010 – I’ve spent a great deal of time over the last half year researching positive psychology and putting its teachings into practice. The fit between positive psychology and my coaching background is nearly seamless. And yesterday I fully felt the downward pull of negativity as I watched my youngest son go through the security checkpoint at the airport on his way to a four month trip abroad. You see, for the first time in a long while, I am an empty-nester. Feeling the sadness of saying goodbye to my son, anticipating the empty feeling I would experience at home that evening, I felt negativity coloring every aspect of the day. The downward spiral became so evident to me, and so powerful – just as predicted in the research I’ve been reading.
What should I have done? Should I have given in to the downward pull? Should I have resisted it forcefully? Neither seemed a particularly good option. Instead, I followed the sage advice proffered by positive psychology and that which I give my own clients: Counter the negative with plenty of positive. And so I surrounded myself with positive experiences yesterday afternoon: Lunch with my love; time with the dogs; and preparing the fixings for comfort food dinner. Am I still saddened by my son’s departure? Absolutely. Are those negative feelings pulling me down and dampening my entire mood? Not any longer.
Resilience in the face of negativity. That is the key.
Consider the possibilities.
Adam J. Krim www.driveconsulting.net
