In Honor of SeaWorld's Dawn Bracheau

In a December 2009 blog post, and on the December 2009 segment of AM Arizona, I featured a book, Whale Done Parenting. It is a story and guidebook of how to apply the positive psychology techniques used to train orcas at SeaWorld to the development of children.

Last week an experienced, devoted trainer of SeaWorld orcas was killed by the animal she loved and trained. The trainer was Dawn Bracheau. The orca is Tillicum.

I feel an obligation to comment on my recommendation. I stand by the book, I stand what I know of SeaWorld as a company, and I have be reminded of something I learned early in my education in ethical, moral, and spiritual development.

What I was reminded of was these facts: Although animals and humans share the ability to feel pain – physical and psychological – only humans can anticipate that life is followed by death and premeditation for an animal is limited to the next action – never the result of the action.

More recently I read in Happier by Harvard’s Tal Ben-Shahar:

“However, while our capacity for emotions is similar to that of other animals, we are fundamentally different. The fact that we can reflect on the cause of our emotions is one of the characteristics that distinguish us. We have the capacity to reflect on our feelings, thoughts, and actions; we have the capacity to be conscious of our consciousness and our experiences.” P. 38

In my post I wrote: What I liked the most was the use of the term “redirect”. At every key note, the authors suggest ignoring the undesirable behavior, yet they invest most of the time instructing you how to redirect your attention away from what you don’t want to happen, and focus your energy on what you do want to have happen.

In this case there was not enough time to “redirect” or “ignore”. However, I have complete faith SeaWorld will develop procedures that insure this type of accident cannot happen again.

Whether Tillicum intended to kill Dawn will forever be unknown. What is known is that Dawn was fully aware and knowledgeable of her trade. She died doing what she loved. At any age, that is a sign of a life well lived.

Thank you,
Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD
Dr. Success™
DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com
http://www.YouTube.com/user/ServingSuccess
www.facebook.com/DrSuccessPhD

Am I Happy?

At the June conference of the International Positive Psychology Association (http://www.ippa.org/), I came across a website resource that I endorsed wholeheartedly. Six months later I support them more than ever.

http://www.happier.com/ is one of those daily things you can do that reinforces and supports your desire to happier, no matter what is going on in your life. Most of the site is free, and for a small subscription price you get maximum value. Each day I get a gentle reminder to visit the site, do one of the survey’s, hints about the positive emotion I might be striving to develop at that time, or a new finding in the field. A tip I received last week is a perfect example of why I like the site so much.

Today's Tip: "Am I Happy?" is a closed question that suggests a binary approach to the pursuit of the good life: we are either happy or we are not. Happiness, according to this approach, is an end of process, a finite definable point that, when reached, signifies the termination of our pursuit. This point, however, does not exist, and clinging to the belief that it does will lead to dissatisfaction and frustration. We can always be happier; no person experiences perfect bliss at all times and has nothing more to which he can aspire...a more helpful question is: "How can I become happier?" Tal Ben-Shahar - Happier

Dr. Success Challenge: During this week that may be more challenging than others, as many times a day, ask yourself this question, “How can I become happier?” Then take one action that comes through your answers.

With appreciation for the work I have the opportunity to do, Andrea

Dr. Success™

http://www.servingsuccess.com/

1 866 975 3777 toll-free

DrSuccess@Servingsuccess.com

http://twitter.com/DrSuccess

Do you want to be www.Happier.com?

Rarely does a week go by that someone does not say to me, “How do you stay so positive?” or “How can you be so resilient?”

In the confusion of losing our savings, our investment in a business, and the business itself, I did not initially realize that they were not asking a rhetorical question because of my academic background. Then I got an email wherein the sender wrote, “No, I’m asking how do YOU stay so positive?” Oh, got it. All these people were actually asking how I personally stay positive and resilient.

Admittedly, my confusion was in part due to the chaos at that time in my life. The other reason I was confused speaks directly why I have such a devotion to the tenets of positive psychology. If I do the exercises that research has confirmed elevate mood, I can stay more positive and build more resilience.

The coolest part of all is that the answer for me is the same as it is for the other 6 billion people on our planet.

Now I do know and admit that seeking and using support to do the exercises is potentially harder than actually doing the work. One new web site and its offerings has now made that part of the journey even easier.

Here is the promise of Happier.com:

happier.com inspires people to be happier and more resilient every day. Through tests and exercises to measure, track and improve happiness, thousands of users have experienced a meaningful improvement in their well being. Easy-to-use applications, both online and for the iPhone, provide users with the tools they need to be happier.

If you want, they will send you an email every day reminding you to return to the site and try something new. They have a practitioner directory (look up my profile) that allows you to find support in specific areas from professionals in the field. I particularly like this aspect not just because I am listed, but because many times in my consulting business I need to refer a client to someone with a clinical background. Having the happier.com practitioner resource is a welcome addition to my ability to help others, by knowing the people they are being referred to are more likely to be in alignment with the philosophy from which I work.

Much of the site’s offerings are free but for less than $3 a month – yes, that is right -- $3 a month – you can do exercises, enter chat rooms, track your daily progress and just stay connected.

So do you want to be happier? Then join me and countless others at www.happier.com as we support each other in our desire to remain optimistic and build resilience.

Additional Bonus: Hot off the presses my new e-book The 5 A’s of Achieving Successful Relationships Always.

With appreciation, Andrea

DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com

702 869 3729

866 975 3777 toll free

http://www.twitter.com/drsuccess