04May '11

Chapter 1: Happiness, Control and a Simple Model

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How can you live a happier and more fulfilled life?

Understanding yourself is the first step to control yourself better. More control results in more happiness. There are some situations in our life that we can not change. All we can do is change how we think, feel and react to them which is a skill that can help us overcome whatever gets in our way. This is what you learn here.

Essential Knowledge in this Lesson:

More control over your life = more happiness

Before every emotion or action come thoughts. You are aware of some thoughts and unaware of some thoughts. Thoughts you are unaware of are called “automatic thoughts”. The crucial thing to remember is that there are always thoughts before emotions or actions! By changing our thoughts we can control our emotions and actions.

Sources:

Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9, 111-131

Lyubomirsky, S. (2007). The how of happiness. New York: The Penguin Press.

Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2007). Is it possible to become happier? (And if so, how?). Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1, 1-17.

Andrew C. Butlera, Jason E. Chapman, Evan M. Forman, Aaron T. Beck (2005). The empirical status of cognitive-behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Clinical Psychology Review Volume 26, Issue 1, January 2006, Pages 17-31

Ellis, Albert, Corsini, Raymond J. (Ed); Wedding, Danny (Ed), (1989). Rational-emotive therapy. Current psychotherapies (4th ed.). Current psychotherapies (4th ed.), (pp. 197-238). Itasca, IL, US: F E Peacock Publishers, xi, 623 pp.