Quezon City, Philippines – Integrality and Positivity Inc. successfully held its 7th Positivity Congress at One Castilla Place here on February 17.
Attended by 13 participants from various provinces and Metro Manila, this year’s congress aims to spread positive psychology tools so that each individual and organization embraces a culture of integrality positivity and where wholeness and well being are within reach for all.
“We believe that through positive psychology tools and solutions, people can move or tend towards wholeness and well-being and we can all build a culture of integrality and positivity,” Dr. Cristine Margaret Atienza, CEO of Integrality and Positivity said in an interview.
“Here in the Philippines, it can make people more open to taking care of their mental health, their well-being and in the ordinary day-to-day activities. We want wholeness and well-being, positive psychology to be accessible to more people.”
Since it was founded in 2012, Integrality and Positivity, Inc. have already served over 25,000 individuals and more than 100 organizations nationwide.
Atienza delivered a series of lecture discussions in the congress about positive psychology. She also facilitated group activities that would allow them to use various positivity tools in their daily lives.
She made use of the acrononym PERMA to characterize the science of positive psychology and well-being to the participants.
PERMA stands for positive emotion, engangement, relationship, meaning and achievement.
Throughout the congress, it was repeatedly stressed that while people have no control over the circumstances, they should focus on the things they can control which includes the power to choose the way they would react to what happens to their lives.
The importance about unrandomizing positive emotions was also tackled specifically that of choosing to be mindful and savoring the moment.
Among the many techniques to bring out positive emotion include regularly practicing gratitude and letting go of the life’s shoulds.
The participants also learned other positivity techniques such as mindfulness photography. This could enable them to empty their brains and savor the present moment that is necessary in order to build the mind’s healthy habits. The importance of building positive relationships with compassion and empathy as the key ingredients were also discussed. Also tackled were the various pathways to meaning in life.
This includes among others the creative values or what we give to the world; experiential values or what we get from the world and the attitudinal values or how we respond to the world. Wellbeing is also about cultivating the so-called gift, grace and growth mindset namely recognizing one’s life and who a person is and his strength as a gift; seeing grace at work to inspire andd sustain oneself through a journey and embracing vulnerabilities as opportunities for growth.
“It’s refreshing and inspiring. Actually I’ve heard about them before but it’s good to hear them again from time to time because I work in school and so I need to equip myself first before I help other people. I cant give them what I don’t have, charging myself with all these things so that I can truly help others,” says participant Lea.
Jessleen, a 21-year-old psychology student says: “Since it was my first time to attend positive psychology seminar, I can say this is enlightening. I feel nervous but at the same time exciting because I was able to meet different ages, (people from) different jobs.”
“..As I hear from their experiences, I can connect the dots and I try to connect them with myself. Although we’re different, I understood my connection with them.”
Meanwhile, Mowel Fund independent film maker Fred Rebadulla II recognizes the value of positive psychology among Filipinos from all walks of life in the post-pandemic world.
“Everything was made possible through an instant, practicable, fun learning experience, in a tried and tested approach. So I wish I could impart this to many (people) likewise,” he said.