The Headteacher's Blog - The Burfordian, Issue 6 2023-2024

This is the Headteacher's Blog which was first featured in issue 6 of The Burfordian, published on Friday 8 December 2023.

Martin Seligman is widely praised for his work in the field of psychology. He advocates an approach that balances any discussion about challenges to mental wellbeing with the promotion of the positive aspects of human functioning. Whilst his approach, however popular in the mainstream, is open to fair academic scrutiny there are important ideas raised in his work. I am particularly interested in the distinction he makes between the Pleasant Life, the Engaged Life and the Meaningful Life. As ever, there is rarely anything new in his thinking that is not similarly reflected in age-old aphorisms, famous books or popular quotations. 

“It's not the destination, it's the journey.” - attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

“There is only one way to learn... It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”  - Paulo Coelho in The Alchemist. 

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”- Melody Beattie 

“Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”- Charles Dickens 

In the space I have in my blog, I can only resort to gross simplifications and clunky analogies, so I would urge you to look out for some of his work with the caveat that there will always be alternative views. In brief, Seligman emphasises the importance of seeking positive experiences (the Pleasant Life) yet stresses the need for activities that provide deep involvement and absorption (the Engaged Life) together with finding a particular purpose (the Meaningful Life). As ever, it is about balancing the destination with the journey. Seligman rather seriously wrote in 2004: 

“The belief that we can rely on shortcuts to gratification and bypass the exercise of … strengths and ...virtues is folly. It leads to legions of humanity who are depressed in the middle of great wealth, who are starving to death spiritually.” 

Pretty heavy stuff but a timely reminder in the build up to Christmas for the need to use talents well in the pursuit of reward. Within his work he explores also the idea that expressions of gratitude are not only associated with increased positive emotions but are a way to shift focus from negative aspects. Again, a vital message as we move into the holiday period. With this in mind, we will encourage each student to write a thank you note to someone who has had a positive impact on their life this term and in turn contribute to their own satisfaction with the term gone.