Well it’s only taken me a month to get to finishing my blog reportage on the WCPP (World Congress on Positive Psychology), and it’s been an interesting adventure for me. This is the first time that I’ve taken such time to really savour a conference, rather than just taking notes and leaving it behind me. Interestingly, this is also what I’m currently reading about in the Chris Peterson book, A Primer of Positive Psychology, which is more like a textbook, but very useful as I prepare for my MAPP (Masters of Applied Positive Psychology) program starting in the Fall.
Savouring extends the positive experience, and research is showing that those who are better at savouring reap a whole host of benefits, psychological and physical. I am not a natural “savourer” and so the ability for me to stretch out a positive experience, like attending the WCPP, and share it with others, as I have been doing through this blog, is an interesting experiment. (Though I do wonder – if one conducts positive interventions on oneself with the intentional and conscientious goal of being more “positive”, is that as effective as having the positive interventions conducted in a more “blind study” sort of way? If one does not engage in the positive intervention mindfully and sincerely, I would hypothesize that the benefits are diminished, if not entirely removed…)
The WCPP closed much as it began – with amazing attendance! I overheard someone sitting near me who was completely awestruck by the number of attendees who stayed right to the closing address – apparently this is highly unusual in the world of conferences and, I suppose, academia. I had no idea.
Several announcements were made in the closing session, notably that the next WCPP would be held in 2011 in the UK (exact date and location TBD – keep checking the IPPA website for details), that, through the generosity of the John Templeton Foundation, there will be a brand new positive neuroscience institute created, and that Positive Psychology has a new goal: that by 2051, 51% of the world’s population will be “flourishing”. Now, we don’t know the exact criteria by which this will be measured, because right now, we don’t have a solid handle on “flourishing”, but it is akin to a “man on the moon” goal by JFK – and happy 40th anniversary of that momentous event today.
Esteemed IPPA speakers and members shared with us their hopes and dreams for Positive Psychology’s future, as well as appreciation for those who have been foundational to its development and growth. It was a truly positive note to end on (well, except for one very vocal audience member who didn’t seem to understand the difference between a closing session and a workshop and kept wanting to ask questions and provide input…)
I plan on attending the WCPP in 2011 and I am already looking forward to it.
In the more immediate future, however, I am taking this summer to prepare for my MAPP program and will continue to write in this blog about how I prepare, what books I am reading, thoughts and reflections. I hope you will continue on the journey with me.
And I am also working on making this site easier to use and more professional in appearance. Thanks, as always, for your comments and feedback. And yes, I will be creating a “contact” page. Stay tuned…
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