Following the Arrow

Ever have those moments where you feel like the world has aligned and rolled out a red carpet right in front of you with flashing light arrows indicating THIS WAY!!! That has been the entirety of my experiences in Denmark thus far. The oh too common “what am I doing with my life” early 20s crisis (or non-crisis) has passed, and I am eternally grateful!

Over a year ago I sat in a massive Social Psychology lecture taught by Ken Sheldon, listening to his spiel on studying happiness while he handed out assessment forms for us guinea pigs. Like all state psychology programs, the undergraduates serve as the measured population. Woop-de-do. However, that lecture was branded in my mind considering I witnessed the exact same presentation at that year’s Griffith’s Leadership conference. Being one to make meaningful connections out of mere happenstances in life, I took it as a sign and moseyed on over to his office disappointed to hear it was mainly a topic of research. At the time, I saw research as a dead end. The notion of sitting at a desk all day analyzing data in a windowless office was certainly not appealing. Observing my rather obvious disappointment, Ken Sheldon sent me to Joe Johnston who wound up serving as my academic/career mentor for the rest of my undergraduate years at MIZZOU. Again, I followed the arrow until Positive Psychology grew into my favorite conversation topic and passionate career path.

Why is this relevant? DIS has only solidified the fact that I am on the right track over and over again in a single week. Reading the first page of my Positive Psychology: Theory, Research and Applications textbook for my core course, I smiled knowingly at the APA citations for the field’s definition, “the aim to understand, test, discover, and promote factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive” (K. Sheldon et al., 2000). Checking out the references I found no less than 11 publications by my very own professor, more than Martin Seligman (father of Positive Psychology)! Five of Sheldon’s publications were partnered with none other than Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness which also changed my mindset on life. Props to you, ol’ professor!

No, I am not naïve enough to believe my career path has been determined by mere recognition of a few research publications. The first day of my Positive Psychology practicum, our professor, Mads, insisted we stand up and mingle with those around us. Rather than introducing ourselves with where we are from or go to school in the States, we should explain what we are passionate about. Why? Because discussing your passion with another human automatically connects the two of you on a deeper level. Yes, my make-or-break question during sorority recruitment back home. Yes, the question that sparks my curiosity in understanding others lives. Mads then rambled through his personal bio about earning his Masters in Positive Psychology in London. LONDON. Why settle for Penn State next year? Not wasting a moment, I introduced myself explaining my situation as a senior abroad seeking a path for my next few educational years and I find it on my first day of class. He opened up opportunities to network with a few Biofeedback Heartmath firms here in Denmark in addition to clarifying I could earn my Masters in Positive Psychology here as well! As if that wasn’t enough, Mads is from the town my fellow MIZZOU Theta is currently studying abroad in Aarhus. Little signs lead to big ones!

Then Mads announced the option of being a class representative, who would meet with him periodically over free meals to discuss the successes and downfalls of our class’s progression throughout the semester. Opportunity to network and nerd of over psych? Heck yes, I’ll take it! Out of over 30 of us students, at least 20 wrote their names on little pieces of paper and two were picked at random. Indeed, my name was chosen. Before this week I was a skeptic on the Law of Attraction. Now I just may need to look into it a tad bit more…

Alice in Wonderland views arrows under her feet in the animated film, yet those are painted by the Cheshire Cat. I’m not sure if my kitty is God, fate, energy, or what… but thank you for all of these opportunities! May good things come forward! J

Forewarning: most of this blog shall be dedicated to why Denmark flourishes the most amongst European countries. How does their society thrive on a policy level? Why does it seem America fails to do so… or are we, really?

I simply cannot wait to see what opportunities this program brings, but I assure you, its one quality program my friends!