The Good Life

I'm working with a couple faculty members on a blended (mixed online and in-class) course titled, "The Good Life: Theological and Psychological Perspectives." The course is based on a new branch of psychology called Positive Psychology. We are comparing psychology perspectives with the Sermon on the Mount. It's interesting because, based on solid research, this branch of psychology defines universal qualities that constitute a sense of well-being: e.g. resilience, optimism, engagement, flow, personal goals, creativity, productivity, compassion, virtue. Research shows that when people focus on and work at these qualities they feel positive about themselves and the life they are living. Uhmmm, not really rocket science, eh? But, it is a significant departure from the traditional "disease" approach to human problems psychology has followed the past 50 years. Reference: Flourishing, The Science of Happiness

I've resolved to begin blog posts on aspects of my life that give me a sense of well-being - positive events in my day that make me feel good and give me satisfaction.

As I write this, I'm eating dinner at my favorite pub in Goshen - Constant Spring. I'm not certain how frequenting this pub fits into the positive psychology attributes, but I have this incredible sense of well-being when I'm at this place. And it's due to much more than the effects of beer.

Food and drink: I love the food at Constant Spring. Tonight my fare is vegetarian black bean soup, a wonderful mixed green salad with Guinness dressing, a jerk pork sandwich and a Murphy's draft. The Jamaican jerk pork sandwich served here is the best in the world - spicy, authentic (Mark's own recipe I think), lean, and just the right amount of sauce.

People: I'm usually here with a wonderful group of friends. Most of them are at a Maundy Thursday church service tonight, while I've elected to nourish my spirit in another manner. I was immediately reminded of my friends by the seven older (well, my age) people at the table next to mine. They are engaged in wonderful conversation that is liberally sprinkled with peals of belly laughter. It's obvious this is a very enjoyable time for them and that they fully enjoy being together. Rarely, if ever, is there a solitary person drinking at the Spring. People come here to socialize.

The Constant Spring staff are another delight. Jason (the owner) greets me and asks where I've been. Emily (barmaid) glides by on her roller-shoes, skillfully guiding customers to order another drink, stopping by to chat and ask what is going on - "Floyd, I haven't seen you since we had Oberon (a seasonal local micro-brew) on tap."

Ambiance: Early evenings (6-9:30) at the Spring are great. No loud music - just conversation and laughter. Free wireless internet. You can socialize; you can stake out a solitary table; you can do whatever brings satisfaction.

So tonight I have this incredible sense of well-being, thanks to the Spring, food & drink, thoughts of wonderful friends and a great ambiance. What a wonderful way to end a week that has been very stressful and filled with uncertainty (I didn't write about that). And I just gave Emily a nice tip!

Cell Phone Etiquette

There are times I cannot believe how inconsiderate and stupid people are when they have a cell phone in hand and/or on ear. At the top of my current list is the guy who was sitting in a men's room stall last week as I was standing at a urinal adjacent to the stall. I heard the guy talking on his cell phone as he was actively in the process of a bowel movement. He would produce a very audible grunt at the beginning of a sentence. About 5 seconds later I would hear a "plop, plop, plop" sound in the toilet bowl. This sequence happened several times. The person on the other end of the line must have heard it - and it was a business call to an associate of his.

As I flushed the urinal, I thought about saying in a rather loud voice, "Hey, did you move your foot? What was that hand signal you just flashed at me? Are you soliciting me?" Or maybe I should have made a loud sound like an expulsion of gas followed by a very audible sigh of relief.

I do not carry a cell phone with me all the time. There are times I want to be unreachable, and I believe there are many times and situations in which others appreciate not hearing from me. To loosely paraphrase an old Pete Seeger song:
Where have all the manners gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the manners gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the manners gone?
Guys have lost them every one.
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?