I often find that conversations around mental health are actually geared towards managing mental illness or at the very least, struggles that interfere with developing mental health. As humans we often get so caught up in the everyday hustle of life that our mental health only becomes a topic when it is at stake. However, we live in a time where mental health concerns are on the rise, especially among the youth. I believe it would do us well to be as concerned with proactively developing strengths as we are with managing weakness. If we build strong roots and develop the potential of our communities while also addressing the needs of those in distress, it may serve us better in the long run. Fortunately, there’s already been a lot of work done in this arena under the label of positive psychology.
By focusing on what is right with people and working to develop character strengths, we can build upon and further expand the foundations that allow for a good life. A life in which problems will continue to exist and life’s demands will continue to be upon us. But what if we could develop internal resources that make these things more manageable, while also recognizing and accepting our weaknesses alongside our strengths?
My interest in this topic brings me to look deeper into character strengths and how we might be able to develop them. I hope to look at things like the love of learning, wisdom, integrity, kindness, fairness, mercy, modesty, gratitude, hope, and others to enhance my own understanding of how to develop these traits and I would love to take you on the journey with me! Let me know your thoughts, comments, or questions below!