01
Federally Chartered
Degree Awarding Institute
Recognized by Higher Education Commission (HEC)
NEWSLETTER
VOL-II | ISSUE-10 | October 2024
CENTER FOR WELL-BEING AND POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
In 1995, Dominique Bauby, the 45 years old French writer suffered from a fatal stroke. It
resulted in virtually total paralysis, and he became dependent on hospital staff and
machinery. The only muscle under his control was his left eyelid. By telegraphing a
series of blinks he communicated to the nursing staff that his mind was still alive. They
responded to this subtle message and began reciting to him alphabets to which Bauby
would blink if he wanted those letters to be written. His friends and editors were so
impressed that they proposed he use the method to write a book about his condition.
The result is Le Scphandre et le Papillon (The Bubble and the Butterfly), a remarkable
137-page account of his locked-in-life. Less than 72 hours after readers and critics alike
hailed it as a triumph, Bauby died.
He writes movingly of the suffering and depression his condition induced.
“I would be the happiest man in the world if I could just properly swallow the saliva that
permanently invades my mouth”. During one of visits from his children, he relates the
unbearable feeling of being sealed in his bubble: “ Theophile, my son is calmly sitting
down there, his face 50 cm from my own, and I, as a father, do not have the simple right
to touch his thick hair….to hold tight his warm little body……” .This story reflects the
common human being’s tendency to take things for granted, which minimizes
happiness. Dostoevsky said, “Man counts his troubles but does not count his blessings”.
Interest in happiness goes back to many centuries. In 2500, Socrates said, “Not only is
knowledge virtue, but virtue itself is identical with happiness, for a man who is doing
that what is right is doing that which is for his own good, resulting in happiness”.
Socrates thought that life’s highest good was happiness.
Human beings share a common quest to be happy. Happiness is something that all
human beings, from time to time have wondered about and, in some way, pursued. The
subject of happiness commands immense interest and importance for human beings.
Hundreds of books and thousands of articles have been written on this subject. In
Aristotle’s Ethics, happiness is discussed right from Book One. It is mentioned in
Bhagawad Gita numerous times. The success of such books as Your Erroneous Zones,
As a Man Thinketh, Acres of Diamonds and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living show
how much interested people are in improving their lives and achieve happiness. There
can be no doubt that the desire to be happy is universal and every person wants to be
happy. “Man wishes to be happy,” wrote Pascal, “and only wishes to be happy, and
cannot wish not to be. “ In his book The Art of Happiness, Dalai Lama says that
happiness is the most important thing in the world.
In 1911, Hugh Black wrote a book called Happiness. In 1927, William Phelps published a
book by the same name. This contains valuable ways to achieve happiness. For
example, he says that the principle of happiness should be like the principle of virtue; it
should not be dependent on things but be a part of personality.
In Search of Happiness: Part-I
DR. TANVIR AHMAD RANA
VISITING PROFESSOR OF MENTAL HEALTH
STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, UK: & WAGNER COLLEGE, NEW YORK
A Glimpse of Positive Psychology in Action
Among Us
Y U M N A .QURESH I @ I A C.EDU.PK
Y U M N A QURESH I
This month, I want to take a slightly different approach with the newsletter. Rather than
diving into a particular topic, I’d like to share something close to my heart: how I see
positive psychology come to life within my own team members.
Each month, as I begin working on the newsletter, I’m met with a surge of enthusiasm
from every team member. It’s a contagious energy that uplifts the entire atmosphere
and brings our work to life. The moment the planning begins, a delightful anticipation
fills the air, and before long, playful debates spark. Each person, passionate about our
mission, competes for the chance to contribute. Who will submit an article this month?
Who will answer the questions in the counselor’s corner? The banter, full of good humor
and friendly competition, brings a warmth to our teamwork that words alone can’t
describe.
This monthly ritual embodies the very essence of positive psychology. The camaraderie
and shared enthusiasm we experience are testaments to a commitment not only to
our work but to one another. We lift, challenge, and celebrate each other’s strengths.
This newsletter has become more than a collection of articles and resources; it’s a
reflection of our collective joy, resilience, and growth—a mirror of the very principles we
aim to inspire in others. Witnessing this every month is a privilege, and it reaffirms for
me how meaningful our work is.
*To be continued on the next page
A Warm Welcome to
Prof. Dr. Najma
Najam:A New
Chapter ofLeadership
I, Prof. Dr. Shabbir Ahmed Rana, HOD: Center
for Well Being and Positive Psychology
(CWPP), along with my dedicated team,
extend our heartfelt congratulations and a
warm welcome to Dr. Najma Najam, as she
assumes her role as the Pro Vice-Chancellor
of Institute for Art and Culture, Lahore.
Dr. Najma Najam's distinguished career and
remarkable contributions to academia and
leadership are a true inspiration.
The Center for Well Being and Positive
Psychology looks forward to collaborating
with Dr. Najma Najam in fostering a culture
of positivity, mental well-being, and
academic growth across our institution.
Together, we aspire to make impactful
strides that align with our shared mission of
creating a thriving and inclusive
educational environment.
Once again, welcome to the IAC family, Dr.
Najma Najam. We are excited to embark on
this journey of progress and transformation
under your guidance and leadership.
Happiness is the only sanction of life; where happiness fails, existence remains a
mad and lamentable experiment. George Santayana (1863 –1952)
TANVIR_RANA@HOTMAIL.COM
Prioritizing Mental
Health at the
Workplace
AROOJ.ARSHAD@RIPHAH.EDU.PK
RIPHA INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL AND
PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (RICPP)
DR AROOJ ARSHAD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR (HOD)
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious,
the Most Merciful.
Today, on the 10th of October, Mental Health
Day is celebrated globally. This year, we will
share some information on how you can
prioritize mental health in the workplace. As
you all know, the workplace plays a very
important role. However, challenges here,
like feeling stressed out, burnt out, or left
alone in all the chaos, can take a toll.
Sometimes, you may feel that your
supervisor is biased, which might lead to a
desire to take out all your aggression on
your subordinate. But try not to do this.
Instead, try to adopt a few helpful tips. First,
it is important to handle situations with
patience. Take a pause in every situation
when you are about to react or respond.
Think for a moment and then react.