The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago,
the second best time is now
I like to think of thriving as growing your own success
When you look up the definition of THRIVE it uses words like – grow strongly, prosper and flourish
Perfect words for February
According to Felicia Huppert and Timothy So of the University of Cambridge who measured flourishing in 23 European union nations – they say you must have all the following core features and at least three of the ‘additional features’ to thrive.
Out of the 23 countries measured, Denmark leads with 33% of its citizens thriving –
Positive Emotions
Engagement, Interest
Meaning, Purpose
Self-Esteem
Optimism
Resilience
Vitality
Self Determinations
Positive Relationships
I started thinking about people who I interact with that appear to thrive and can see clear evidence of the core features in each of them. It is obvious to me that they are serious about thriving
If we want to take thriving and flourishing seriously then we need to start today.
There is an old African saying, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is now”
What can we do now, today that will allow us thrive? What new seeds can we sow today that will enable our success?
Lets start by focusing on some of features that allow us flourish using part of the Well-being Module (Huppert et al., 2009)
What I find works really well is to create a thinking programme that supports who I am and allows me flourish.
Do this for each of the core headings and you have your own personalised Thrive Programme.
| Positive Emotion | Name 3 things that make me feel good |
| Engagement, interest | What do I love learning about, What do I like to get absorbed in |
| Meaning, purpose | What do I love doing that brings a feeling of fulfillment |
| Self-esteem | What have I done that’s worked |
| Optimism | What steps am I taking towards a positive future |
| Resilience | What coping mechanisms and support systems do I employ when things don’t go my way |
| Positive Relationships | Who are the people in my life that offer care and support to help me grow |
Check out Martin Seligmans book Flourish.
He has a mission for Positive Psychology that by the year 2051, 51% of the people of the world will be flourishing. If you would like to be part of this mission you can start by taking a positive step for yourself to THRIVE for life
By Lucy Larcom
He who plants a tree
Plants a hope.
Rootlets up through fibres blindly grope;
Leaves unfold into horizons free.
So man’s life must climb
From the clods of time
Unto heavens sublime.
Canst thou prophesy, thou little tree,
What the glory of thy boughs shall be?
He who plants a tree
Plants a joy;
Plants a comfort that will never cloy;
Every day a fresh reality,
Beautiful and strong,
To whose shelter throng
Creatures blithe with song.
If thou couldst but know, thou happy tree,
Of the bliss that shall inhabit thee!
He plants peace.
Under its green curtains jargons cease.
Leaf and zephyr murmur soothingly;
Shadows soft with sleep
Down tired eyelids creep,
Balm of slumber deep.
Never hast thou dreamed, thou blessed tree,
Of the benediction thou shalt be.
He who plants a tree,—
He plants youth;
Vigor won for centuries in sooth;
Life of time, that hints eternity!
Boughs their strength uprear;
New shoots, every year,
On old growths appear;
Thou shalt teach the ages, sturdy tree,
Youth of soul is immortality.
He who plants a tree,—
He plants love,
Tents of coolness spreading out above
Wayfarers he may not live to see.
Gifts that grow are best;
Hands that bless are blest;
Plant! life does the rest!
Heaven and earth help him who plants a tree,
And his work its own reward shall be
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