Positive thinking is the notion that if you think good thoughts, things will work out well. Optimism is the feeling of thinking things will be well and be hopeful. Martin Seligman feltgoodhopeful Change image and share on social
I have spent most of my life working with mental illness. I have been president of the world's largest association of mental-illness workers, and I am all for more funding for mental-health care and research - but not in the vain hope that it will curb violence. Martin Seligman associationcarecurb share on social
I think we pursue positive relationships whether or not they bring us engagement or happiness. Martin Seligman bringengagementhappiness Change image and share on social
I think you can be depressed and flourish, I think you can have cancer and flourish, I think you can be divorced and flourish. When we believed that happiness was only smiling and good mood, that wasn't very good for people like me, people in the lower half of positive affectivity. Martin Seligman affectivitybelievecancer share on social
It's my belief that, since the end of the Second World War, psychology has moved too far away from its original roots, which were to make the lives of all people more fulfilling and productive, and too much toward the important, but not all-important, area of curing mental illness. Martin Seligman areabeliefcure share on social
The good life consists in deriving happiness by using your signature strengths every day in the main realms of living. The meaningful life adds one more component: using these same strengths to forward knowledge, power or goodness. Martin Seligman addcomponentconsist share on social
It used to be that whenever I introduced myself to people and told them I was a psychologist, they would shrink away from me. Because, quite rightly, the impression the American public has of psychologists is, 'You want to know what's wrong with me.' Martin Seligman americanimpressionintroduce share on social
Well-being cannot exist just in your own head. Well-being is a combination of feeling good as well as actually having meaning, good relationships and accomplishment. Martin Seligman accomplishmentcombinationexist Change image and share on social
High taxes on guns and strong restrictions on their availability are the only realistic hope for avoiding many more Sandy Hooks. Martin Seligman availabilityavoidgun Change image and share on social
You can have meaning, accomplishment, engagement and good relationships, even if you are dull on the positive affect side. Martin Seligman accomplishmentaffectdull Change image and share on social