October 2007 - Listening to Your Life
William F. Evans, PhD
INPM President

As another anniversary of 9-11 arrived, I found myself contemplating how fragile the world seems sometimes. It is difficult to understand the meaning of life in times of tragedy and suffering.
(Full Article)

March 2007 - What makes a great worker?
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D. C.Psych
Toronto, ON, Canada

"If your future employer were to ask you: “Are you a great worker?” What would your answer be? Chances are, you would say something like: “Well, I think I am, because I am very good in what I do and I am passionate about my work.”
(Full Article)

March 2007 - Take This Job and Love It!
Bill Evans, Ph.D.

"There it was, projecting up at me from the top of an advertisement page in a weekly news magazine: “take this job and love it!” Why did this phrase capture my attention? Besides the fact that it was an obvious take off on an old country music hit, “take this job and shove it, I ain’t working here no more,” I also think it was the audacity of someone thinking that work could be fun!"
(Full Article)

January 2007 - What has Christmas to do with authentic happiness?
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Toronto, ON, Canada

"It was a gloomy day with darkish sky. A chilly wind drove shoppers into the stores and coffee shops. The holiday-weary faces and the retro song “Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer” reminded me of poor Charlie Brown and his sad gang. Good grief, this can be a season of depression and misery for many people!..."
(Full Article)

June 2006 - The best kept secret for survival and success
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

Often intuition is the deciding factor between failure and success. Even though we don’t know precisely what intuition is, at the gut level we all know that it is there and that it can be summoned to our aid whenever we feel overwhelmed.
(Full Article)

April 2006 - Does reverence matter in today's secular society?
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

We are in the grip of a crisis of international proportions. Is it terrorism? Is it ethnopolitical conflict? I suggest that the underlying problem may be the loss of reverence for life.
In a diverse multicultural society, respect for others is touted as the highest virtue while reverence for life is relegated to the dustbin of history. There is something incongruent and self-contradictory in these two social trends.
(Full Article)

February 2006 - The Positive Psychology of Persistence and Flexibility
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

What are the most valuable life strategies essential for survival and resilience? What are the most common traits shared by successful athletes and CEOs? More importantly, what are the virtues most important in living the good life?
(Full Article)(.pdf File)

January 2006 - How to humanize higher education and reduce human suffering
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

Across the land, away from the spotlight, a different kind of suffering goes on unnoticed - in homes, workplaces, schools, and universities. I am talking about intentional cruelty against other human beings, such as physical and emotional abuse, bullying, oppression and exploitation.
(Full Article)

December 2005 - The Positive Psychology of Self-Sacrifice
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

There is a tragic ring to the term self-sacrifice. It conjures up images of Christ crucified, soldiers killed on battle fields or suicide-bombers blown to pieces along with their innocent victims. How can self-sacrifice be positive? Is self-sacrifice the highest expression of virtue or the worst form of human folly? Who benefits from self-obliteration? How can one reconcile self-sacrifice with self-actualization? During my recent trip to Hong Kong and China, I began to gain some insight to these puzzling questions.
(Full Article)(.pdf File)

October 2005 - Touchstones of Character Strengths
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

Human achievements cannot be measured simply in terms of wealth, power or fame. Such accomplishments belong to a small group of elites who are blessed with special talents and good fortunes. Basking in the glory of success and wielding immense influence, they are idolized, envied or feared, but not trusted.
(Full Article)

September 2005 - In the Eye of the Hurricane: Finding Peace amidst Terror, Violence and War
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"...But the New Orleans I knew isn't there any more. It is hard to cling to good memories, when harsh reality pummels you like angry waves. Now, the motto of New Orleans "Let the good times roll" seems so distant and so incongruent with the horrors that are still unfolding before our eyes..."
(Full Article)

August 2005 - Life Isn't Fair: What can we do about it?
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Disturbing and grotesque images of children dying of starvation on the evening news seem surreal in our comfortable living rooms. These tiny children look more like skeletons wrapped in black skins. Too weak to move and too tired to protest, they let the black flies feed on their listless faces..."
(Full Article)

July 2005 - Rediscover the Wonder and Awe in Everyday Living
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Life could change for the better, when it is lived on a higher plane. Visualize yourself at the bottom of a grimy pit. If you look down, all you can see is muddy ground. But the moment you lift up your eyes towards the sky, your world suddenly opens up and brightens with new possibilities. A perspective shift can dramatically transform your view of life..."
(Full Artilce)

June 2005 - Practical Wisdoms for Flourishing in Difficult Situations
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

" We all have experienced complex and difficult situations, which baffle the mind and defy rational solutions. All the scientific knowledge and technology in the world are of little help in the face of an urgent but ill-defined problem. Even the well-established principles in psychology and ethics fail to show us the right path..."
(Full Article)

May 2005 - The Promises and Perils of Family
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"As a social institution, family matters for the individual as well as the nation. It is frightening to realize that as the family goes, so goes the civilization. We really need to take stock and find out where our families are heading..."
(Full Article)

April 2005 - Rules for Positive Spontaneous Living
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Play is essential to a child's learning and well-being; it is also a child's full-time occupation. Life is a continuous flow, interrupted only by sleep and parental intrusions. What an exuberant display of energy and joy. There is no agenda, no ulterior motive, just the sheer pleasure of fun and games..."
(Full Article)

March 2005 - The power of determination and commitment
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"No other human power can match that of determination. It has the potential to create heaven or hell not just for oneself, but also for the world. It is the ultimate terminator, unstoppable and invincible; nothing can stand in its way - not obstacles, not dangers, not even death..."
(Full Article)

January 2005 - Coping with the tsunami and its aftermath: A challenge to religious faith and the quest for meaning and hope
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Faith is the divine spark planted in the human soul, igniting our deepest longings and highest aspirations. It is an eternal flame, which cannot be extinguished. No matter how dimly it glimmers, it will survive the worst storm..."
(Full Article)

December 2004 - The healing power of forgiveness
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"The sentiment of hurt and anger flows forever through the veins of planet earth, seething like hot lava, ready to erupt with a vengeance, spitting fire and deadly ashes. Revenge knows no boundary, no time limits. Not even death can cancel the blood debt, which often passes on from one generation to another..."
(Full Article)

November 2004 - Respect and moral values
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"You feel the sting, the hurt, whenever others insult or trivialize you. How should you react when people are rude or disrespectful? Should you get angry and react in kind, or should you try to rationalize and rise above the insult? Are you being too sensitive or expecting too much from people?..."
(Full Article)

October 2004 - The Loyalty Factor: Key to the Good Life
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"It is inconceivable to attain the good life in the absence of good relationships. Our joy is multiplied and sorrow divided a thousand times, when we share our feelings with family and friends. In the final analysis, all of one's strengths and achievements would not mean very much, when one has to grow old and die alone, without a single friend or loved one..."
(Full Article)

September 2004 - Restoration of Integrity in the Cheating Culture
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Devastated and traumatized, Tim buries his head in his hands. The harsh words of the Vice-President still ring in his ears: "We are going to fire you for insubordination!" Replaying the scenes leading up to this dramatic encounter, Tim knows that he would not have done it differently..."
(Full Article)

August 2004 - The Meaning of Responsibility and the Statue of Liberty
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"On a picturesque Hawaiian island, at long last I am able to shed all my burdens and responsibilities as easily as I shed my clothes. Lying on the sandy beach, looking into the wide open sky, listening to the rhythms of the surf, and feeling the gentle caress of the ocean breeze, I have a surreal sense of being in a different world - the pristine world of aboriginals..."
(Full Article)

July 2004 - Good Grief: The Gift of Healing
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"The river of sorrow runs deep and it never ends. How many painful memories does it contain? How many tears has it collected since the beginning of time?..."
(Full Article)

June 2004 - The positive psychology of self-control
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"It is a picture-perfect summer evening. The setting sun bathes the parkland in a gentle glow. The towering pine trees, in their dark green uniform, stand on guard, watching over the children playing. Some young couples walk leisurely along the glistening lake, pushing a stroller or holding the leash of a dog..."
(Full Article)

May 2004 - The power of endurance
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Darkness fills your soul and pain pierces through your heart. Betrayed, bruised and battered, you can feel the suffering of Christ crucified. Your weary body shivers in the wind like an autumn leave. Life, in its tragic brevity and absurdity, is more than you can bear..."
(Full Article)

April 2004 - Generosity: The Positive Psychology of Giving
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"This brief article represents my humble attempt to explore the blessings of generosity. My effort would be worth it, even if it opens the eyes of one single person to the enduring, fulfilling abundance that comes from giving..."
(Full Article)

March 2004 - Creating a kinder and gentler world: The positive psychology of empathy
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Just imagine that we live in a kinder and gentler world, where people seek to understand rather than to be understood, show sensitivity to other people's feelings, routinely engage in acts of kindness , and strive to make this world a better place for everyone..."
(Full Article)

February 2004 - The Wisdom of Positive Acceptance
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"We are constantly torn between the pull of reality and the push towards ever rising expectations. The art of living often revolves around how to manage this eternal conflict. Our well-being depends on our capacity to achieve a proper balance between these two opposing forces..."
(Full Article)

January 2004 - Simple abundance and rich poverty: The positive psychology of contentment
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Positive psychology researchers have made great strides in recent years, especially in happiness studies, yet "contentment" remains a misunderstood phenomenon and an under-valued virtue. All the available scientific tools seem to come short, when we try to understand its true nature..."
(Full Article)

December 2003 - Do's and Don'ts in Peace Making
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"How wonderful and pleasant life would be, if people could live together in peace! When peace reigns, everything seems possible. With all the resources and creative energies channeled into peacetime projects, we could turn weapons of mass destruction into machines for food production..."
(Full Article)

November 2003 - I'm glad that I'm a nobody: A positive psychology of humility
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Everyone aspires to be somebody, and no one wants to be a nobody. From the depth of our souls, there is a persistent cry for personal significance. This universal search for meaning manifests itself in a variety of ways, from self-seeking to self-sacrifice..."
(Full Article)

October 2003 - Building positive communities
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Community is a good thing. Who does not yearn for love and belonging? Who is immune to the existential anxiety of separation and alienation? Who can survive long as an island onto oneself?..."
(Full Article)

September 2003 - Spirituality and Meaning at Work
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"A healthy dosage of spirituality and meaning at the workplace is good for business, because it improves morale and productivity. This view is gaining currency among management consultants, human resources professionals and mainstream business schools..."
(Full Article)

August 2003 - Finding happiness through suffering
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Happiness, how sweet the sound! It's an inalienable right, a worthy life goal, and the yearning of every soul, yet oftentimes it leads to pain and ruin. Like moths flinging themselves into a flaming fire, many have ruined their lives in hot pursuit of happiness..."
(Full Article)

July 2003 - The transcendental life: An impossible dream?
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Any discourse on the transcendental life is likely to conjure up the image of a Zen Master on a misty mountain top or a Trappist Monk in a remote desert retreat. A widely held notion is that only the esoteric mystics, who have given up earthly affairs in their single-minded spiritual pursuit, can ever realize self-transcendence..."
(Full Article)

June 2003 - The Positive Psychology of Love
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"There is no ill that love cannot heal, no problem love cannot solve, and no evil love cannot overcome. If hope is the oxygen that sustains life, then love is the sunshine that nurtures it. Love is the fountain of well-being, the cardinal principle of spirituality, and the touchstone of true religion..."
(Full Article)

May 2003 - Pathways to posttraumatic growth
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"On the fateful night of April 19, 1989, a young woman known as the Central Park Jogger was raped, beaten, and left to die. After a 14-year silence, she finally revealed her identity as Trisha Meili. She has appeared at Larry King Live and other talk shows. She also tells her story in her book entitled 'I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story of Hope and Possibilities'..."
(Full Article)

April 2003 - Humor and laughter in wartime
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"War is no laughing matter. In the midst of the "shock and awe" campaign, with images of historical explosions and destructions in front of us everyday, it is hard for me to write about humor and laughter. It feels sacrilegious to make fun of the Iraqi war, because war is always deadly serious..."
(Full Article)

March 2003 - The Magic of Gratitude
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"What is the worth of saying "Thank you?" My answer is that it is priceless, when it is said in sincerity. The magic power of a simple expression of gratitude has almost limitless potentials..."
(Full Article)

February 2003 - The Power of Courage
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"The courageous voice of a true champion is contagious. It can turn despair to hope, and defeat to victory. For instance, the reassuring, roaring voice of Winston Churchill in the darkest days of England during World War II is widely credited as playing a major role in changing the fortunes of the war in Europe..."
(Full Article)

January 2003 - Promises of Renewal
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Despite tight security and threats of terror, the world became a gigantic party to ring in 2003. As the clock struck mid-night, the skies around the globe came alive with spectacular fireworks, and throngs of revellers burst into cheers. At that magic moment, euphoria and optimism filled the air - anything seemed possible and hope once again sprang from the depth of our souls..."
(Full Article)

December 2002 - You can hope again
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Most people take oxygen for granted, until they have problem breathing. Similarly, we don't realize the importance of hope, until it is shattered or taken away from us. Without the magic of hope, all life withers away..."
(Full Article)

November 2002 - The Power of Purpose
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

" What makes one life rich in poverty and another unfulfilling in abundance? Why do some organizations thrive in difficult times, while others languish in prosperity? One may also ask: What turns an average student into an outstanding success and a gifted student into a failure?..."
(Full Article)

October 2002 - Existential Psychology and Therapy
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Now that the 2nd Biannual Meaning Conference is behind us, it is time to look ahead: What will be the direction for INPM in the next few years? Is there a blueprint for the future? I will use this Column to share with you some of the new developments and projects..."
(Full Article)

September 2002 - Transformative narrative therapy
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"All psychotherapy is concerned with change. However, each school of therapy differs in terms of the kind of change it prescribes. Some focus on cognitive-behavioral modification; others emphasize changes in family dynamics; still others stress the importance of re-authoring one's life story..."
(Full Article)

August 2002 - A Corridor of Life
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

" 'It is a festival, a celebration,' exclaimed Teresa, Coordinator of Volunteers, at the end of the Meaning Conference. Indeed, the Conference was a festival of meaning, a celebration of life, very much as the late Dr. Joe Fabry and I had envisioned during my last visit to Joe at his Berkeley home..."
(Full Article)

July 2002 - My vision for a positive revolution
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"At our first International Conference on Personal Meaning in July 2000, my vision was that the Conference would serve as a springboard for a positive revolution in the new millennium..."
(Full Article)

June 2002 - The Positive Psychology of Weaknesses
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"To the Western mind, weaknesses are seldom associated with positive outcomes. Just ask any positive psychologists in North America and they would likely consider positive weaknesses as a contradiction in terms..."
(Full Article)

May 2002 - The positive psychology of synergy
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Anything could happen when synergism occurs. In bedrooms and boardrooms, from sport's arenas to battlefields, on factory floors as well as on capital hills, synergy is the key to optimal performance..."
(Full Article)

April 2002 - The Meaning of Easter: A message for positive psychology
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Easter never fails us. Even in the worst of times, amidst destruction, death and despair, Easter arrives as surely as daybreak, boldly proclaiming the message of renewal and hope..."
(Full Article)

March 2002 - The mustard seed principle: The story of INPM
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"A tiny seed was planted a few years ago and it has been growing steadily ever since. That is the story of the International Network on Personal Meaning (INPM)..."
(Full Article)

February 2002 - Triumph over Terror: Lessons from Logotherapy and Positive Psychology
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"September 11 has changed everything: the unthinkable has happened; the unimaginable has become a reality. We have been suddenly awakened to a new sense of vulnerability..."
(Full Article)

January 2002 - Discovering Meaning and Personal Significance
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"What is your aspiration for the New Year? Will this be a break-through year for you? Do you still dream of wealth, fame and power? Do you plan to achieve greater success? Or do you yearn for meaning and personal significance in a chaotic and uncertain world?..."
(Full Article)

December 2001 - A New Algebra for Positive Psychology
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

All through the Positive Psychology Summit in Washington, DC, October 5-8, 2001, there was a constant undercurrent, tugging at the participants for an effective response to September 11. Indeed, many speakers did acknowledge the challenge posted by this national tragedy to positive psychology, but their responses tended to focus on "happiness" and "the good life" and minimize the negative..."
(Full Article)

November 2001 - Another milestone: Erecting the Twin Towers of Courage and Faith
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Good things are happening. Many have written us, saying that they have found help and inspiration from our website. Many more have complimented us for the rich and relevant information. Comments found in our Guest Book provide just a glimpse of the positive impact of our website..."
(Full Article)

September 2001 - When terror hits home: A case for tragic optimism
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

What is un-imaginable has happened. The evil of mass destruction has descended on American soil. The terrorists have just stuck, with such deadly force and accuracy, the center of commerce and the nerves-center of the military – symbols of American wealth and might. The world’s only superpower is under attack, and she seems so vulnerable.
(Full Article)

August 2001 - The Positive Psychology of “Climate Management”
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"Every organization wants to see its members perform at an optimal level and enjoy a high level of personal satisfaction and well-being. But how can they achieve this ideal?..."
(Full Article)

July 2001 - Freedom, Responsibility and Justice: The Cornerstones of the Good Life
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"The theme chosen for the second bi-annual Meaning Conference is: Freedom, Responsibility, and Justice. To the extent that these are the cornerstones of the good life and a civil society, they are pivotal issues of positive psychology..."
(Full Article)

June 2001 - A Very Unique Vision
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"From its inception, INPM has always aspired to promote the positive psychology of meaning research, meaning applications, and meaningful living. It is intended to be multidisciplinary and international..."
(Full Article)

January 2001 - The Las Vegas Challenge
Paul T. P. Wong, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Coquitlam, B.C., Canada

"A number of people have asked me: 'Why go to Las Vegas for a Planning Retreat for the International Network on Personal Meaning (INPM)? Don’t you think that Las Vegas is the wrong place to look for meaning?'..."
(Full Article)