G is for Gratitude and Grit

Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman has spent his professional life researching happiness. His latest book, Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being (2012) goes beyond what it takes to be “happy” to explore a new level; what it takes to “flourish”.

 

His five pillars of well-being, an aspect of “Positive Psychology”, includes Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. PERMA is the basis for those who aren’t just happy, but those who flourish!

 

He identifies seven traits of those who flourish: curiosity, optimism, self-control, social interaction, zest, gratitude, and grit.

 

It’s interesting to observe how Carrie, my protagonist in Streetwalker, incorporates those traits. She moved into Harlan Ledbetter’s Upper East Side bordello, and she flourished, personally and professionally. While she is working on optimism still, for sure she demonstrates gratitude and grit.

 

She knows how fortunate she was to land where she did, when she did, with that particular male “madam”. She expresses her gratitude largely through deeds. Carrie works very hard to show Harlan he made the right decision. She knows that action, resulting in an improved bottom line, will demonstrate her appreciation.

 

And Carrie sticks with what she starts. She is always innovating and improving. She is highly analytical and continues to persevere despite the odds being against her. She demonstrates persistence and resilience, the bedrock features of grit, throughout the book.

 

Check out Streetwalker (coming soon from Sizzler Editions) to see How Carrie embodies gratitude and grit.