Learning Happiness and Well-Being
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We concern ourselves with intelligence. But what about EI - Emotional Intelligence? Can it be learned, and what good is it? HITC's Soul Sister explains.
Dear Soul Sister
My real sister is driving me mad trying to bring me to workshops on Emotional Intelligence. Is this all just liberal rubbish gone mad, or am I missing something here?
Dear Sister
This may not be such good news for you: it would seem your sister is trying to tell you something that you are not hearing.
Are you happy?
Would you say you are emotionally literate? Can you talk about all of your feelings and thoughts easily?
Maybe it's worth enquiring a little into this field of happiness and well-being. You'll find that you are actually at the crest of a wave - even Government has latched onto it - and why not?
If these new methodologies of learning and being in the world can help to make our lives more enjoyable then I am in favour. In a country where 40,000 children take anti-depressants, perhaps a place like Wellington College is making a very wise move by pioneering positive psychology and emotional intelligence classes for their students. (And who would have thought it? They are not exactly known as a trendy school, but Wellington himself would have approved of the courage such foresight requires!)
You might satisfy your sister by reading Daniel Goleman's book on E.I., an excellent compilation of these ideas, and you may both enjoy the Dalai Lama's How to be Happy, one of my favourites, and a very easy summary of his view that compassion makes us happier ourselves.
You may even want to spend some time exploring this with a counsellor who is trained in this kind of thinking. You could find that your level of intimacy, your awareness of others and knowledge about yourself will rise exponentially. It could be well worth while the time and effort you spend.
But most of all, have fun on this adventure and your discovery of a treasure!
To submit a question, email soulsister@hereisthecity.com. Unfortunately, she can't answer all questions or enter into correspondence.
My real sister is driving me mad trying to bring me to workshops on Emotional Intelligence. Is this all just liberal rubbish gone mad, or am I missing something here?
Dear Sister
This may not be such good news for you: it would seem your sister is trying to tell you something that you are not hearing.
Are you happy?
Would you say you are emotionally literate? Can you talk about all of your feelings and thoughts easily?
Maybe it's worth enquiring a little into this field of happiness and well-being. You'll find that you are actually at the crest of a wave - even Government has latched onto it - and why not?
If these new methodologies of learning and being in the world can help to make our lives more enjoyable then I am in favour. In a country where 40,000 children take anti-depressants, perhaps a place like Wellington College is making a very wise move by pioneering positive psychology and emotional intelligence classes for their students. (And who would have thought it? They are not exactly known as a trendy school, but Wellington himself would have approved of the courage such foresight requires!)
You might satisfy your sister by reading Daniel Goleman's book on E.I., an excellent compilation of these ideas, and you may both enjoy the Dalai Lama's How to be Happy, one of my favourites, and a very easy summary of his view that compassion makes us happier ourselves.
You may even want to spend some time exploring this with a counsellor who is trained in this kind of thinking. You could find that your level of intimacy, your awareness of others and knowledge about yourself will rise exponentially. It could be well worth while the time and effort you spend.
But most of all, have fun on this adventure and your discovery of a treasure!
To submit a question, email soulsister@hereisthecity.com. Unfortunately, she can't answer all questions or enter into correspondence.
Here Is The Writer : Annegret O'Dwyer
Annegret O'Dwyer is a psychotherapist who has had a practise in Harley Street for 10 years, and recently opened one in Southbank. She is accredited and licensed by the UKCP (United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy) and the EAP (European Association of Psychotherapists). Her favourite book is How to be Happy by the Dalai Lama, and The Right to Speak by Patsy Rodenburg, and she likes spending her evenings at the cinema or theatre.
www.annegretodwyer.co.uk
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