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Tuning Happiness

Interesting concept about psychological inflexibility in this Inc article:

The authors found a strong link between psychological inflexibility and weaker family ties, less satisfying relationships, more shouting and insecurity, and less effective parenting. Being mentally rigid is bad for all kinds of close relationships, it seems. Psychological flexibility helps them all thrive.

Conceptually, this flexibility seems to be derived from a person having a system of values they live by. So no matter what stressors life brings on them, they are able to draw upon them. As a result they deal with the issues at hand in a constructive way instead of spinning out of control. Seems rather self-evident but it is unclear how a framework of values can be superposed upon an adult - this needs to have been done much earlier on. 

While the conclusion is reasonable and logical being able to improve in this dimension for an adult seems rather wishful. Maybe instead of a value system, an adult can learn to operate out of checklist - and learn from practice. When difficult situations arise, the use their checklist to avoid falling into traps they would otherwise - a bit like defensive driving. A bad driver can be taught this skill to make them safer on the roads for themselves and the world.

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