What Is Well-Being? Part 3

It seemed clear that it’s easier to acknowledge feelings or body sensations when we are tired, exhausted, experiencing pain in some part of our body and/or out of breath. These feelings raised their head frequently while running a trail event. More so, especially when we are running at greater distances than at a half marathon. It was also clear that man’s existence or coping in our current world is not easy going as well. There many day-to-day examples of our friends and acquaintances having issues such as: loss, addiction, economic insecurity, job loss, divorce, suicide, etc. For another illustration, my wife Linda recently was seriously injured in a horse riding accident and now is recovering and dealing with the potential loss of separating herself from her beloved horse Patch .Life is not always a bowl of cherries. One might say that the Human Potential Movement with the positive concept of Self-Actualization written about by such notables as Erich Fromm, Carl Rogers, Rollo May, Abraham Maslow and others depicted man, in a much more favorable manner than Freud. In part, they saw the human being, when fully functioning [as long as society does not get in man’s way with its many barriers or hurdles], as constructive, trustworthy, able to reach new heights, and able to experience oceanic feelings. Currently, Martin Seligman extols a Positive Psychology, employing the scientific method. Briefly, he hypothesized man can attain “well-being.” In this psychological state of positive emotion, the feeling of happiness and life satisfaction are important. Other main aspects included, within his model: engagement, relationships, meaning and purpose, and accomplishment. The self-actualization theorists and Seligman have led us to a good start in further understanding man and his motivation. However, one element to me seemed missing-that is the development of physical health. A more complete model of self-actualization or well- being would include having a sense of good physical health ,coupled with positive psychological health .Aunt Eva told me something of the following “when you have your health , you are blessed. To Be Continued