Presidential address – Not the years in your life, but the life in your years: Lessons from Canadian psychology on living fully
Abstract
Over the past couple of decades, there has been an increasing focus on positive psychology in both the popular media and the scientific literature. Prior to this time, the predominant focus has been on what is aberrant or deficient, and how to ameliorate problems or dysfunction (i.e., a psychopathology orientation). Indeed, my own research has focused on cognitive vulnerability to depression and how we can understand and modify underlying core beliefs and cognitive structures. In this article, I deviate from my own “comfort zone” to highlight some key concepts related to understanding what makes life fulfilling and meaningful. Specific lessons from research in the areas of happiness, passion, humour styles, thinking with evidence, self-compassion, mindfulness/acceptance, taking risks, and interpersonal connectedness are reviewed. Throughout this article, I highlight how Canadian psychological science has contributed in important ways to helping us to live more fully.