This is a strength I tested yesterday. Sorry there will be two posts today, I did write this one down yesterday though. I just wasn't near an internet connection. So here it is:

The strength I tested today was "Gratitude". This strength is defined as: you are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks.

This was a very appropriate day to test this strength. Afterall, it was Thanksgiving. I tested this strength by doing something that we do every year. We go around the table before we eat and we say what we are thankful for. Every year I just say family, friends, and health. Many people in my family really elaborate, but I have just been really simple. This year I really branched out and went around the table and told every person why I am thankful for them.

Pleasure: 4; It was not very much fun. In fact it was a little uncomfortable.
Flow: 6; The time went really quickly. I was pretty focused on what I was saying. I was still really uncomfortable.
Meaning: 9; This actually meant a lot to me. I was uncomfortable during, but it definately felt good after. My Grandma actually cried. This meant more to me than anything I have done yet.

Debriefing:
This activity was not full of pleasure and didn't really flow with me, but in the end it really did mean a lot. I'm glad I pushed through the awkwardness! I would do this again, but probably not until next year. I won't make it an everyday thing!

This strength can be decribed as follows: Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.

It tested this strenght by attending my regular Student Affairs Senate meeting. This is basically just a student government. Today we voted on a budget bill that would hurt certain organizations immensly and help others immensly, essentially creating an unfairness between these two sides. I voted against the bill.

Pleasure: 6; I don't think this can be described as fun, but it was interesting.
Flow: 7; While listening to the bill and hearing the discussion I was really interested and focused on only the bill.
Meaning: 9; It means a lot to be to do the right thing and to be fair to all people involved.

Debriefing:
I would do this again. I enjoy a governmental organization. I enjoy both watching and being involved in the process. This is a pretty good strength of mine.

Today, the third day, the stregth that I tested was "Humor and Playfulness". This strength is defined as: You like to laugh and tease. Bringing smiles to other people is important to you. You try to see the light side of all situations.

Today I used this strength by trying to just let loose and have fun! I went swimming with one of my really good friends. We just had a lot of fun and screwed around.

Pleasure: 7; The activity itself was a mildly fun. But being with Callie and just goofing off was a lot of fun!
Flow: 6; The time didn't go very quickly. The majority of the time I was thinking about stuff that I should be doing.
Meaning: 8; It meant a lot to just go and hang out with Callie and laugh A LOT!!!

Debriefing:
I would do this again. We might pick another activity next time, but it was great just laughing and messing around. I loved making Callie laugh and laughing at her!

The second strength I tested was "Capacity to Love and Be Loved". This strenth is described as: You value close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated. The people to whom you feel most close are the same people who feel most close to you.

Today I used this strength while shopping with my parents and my best friend/roommate (Ashley). We Christmas shopped and went out to eat. We did a lot of talking and just hanging out.

Pleasure: 9; This was a lot of fun to me! I haven't seen my parents in awhile and I really missed them. I love my roommate and we have so much fun all the time!
Flow: 7; The time went really quickly! The whole day went really quickly! I really didn't notice that time was passing and was pretty immersed in being with my parents and Ashley.
Meaning: 8; This really meant a lot to me. I love being with my family. It really felt good to hang out with them.

Debriefing:
I would definately do this again! I love shopping and more importantly, I love being with these people that I love so much. I know they care about me just as much as I care about them. It really was a great day!!!

My first strength I tested was "industry, diligence, and perseverance." This is described as follows: You work hard to finish what you start. No matter the project, you "get it out the door" in timely fashion. You do not get distracted when you work, and you take satisfaction in completing tasks.

Today I used this strength to basically get everything done! I am a big "list" person. My favorite part is crossing things off of my list! So last night I wrote up a quick list of things that I wanted to get done today. It involved things such as cleaning certain things, wrapping up the little homework that I had for today, and doing some laundry. In fact, the last thing on my list is to complete my blog for the day.

Before I tell you how I scored this activity I will tell you about my "scale". While not very scientific, my scale is pretty straight forward. It is a scale from 1 to 10. One being the most negative...and ten being the most positive. I will rate pleasure:how much fun it was, flow: how imersed I was in it, and meaning: did it feel good to me.

So the activity: taking care of my list no matter what got in the way.
Pleasure: 8; it really was fun to me. I'm sure a lot of people would ask why cleaning and doing homework would be fun to someone. But to me, they are.
Flow: 9; when I get into cleaning and getting things done I just get imersed in it. All I can think about it getting my list completed and how good it is going to feel when it is done.
Meaning: 7; it felt really good to be completely done. I felt like I had accomplished something and was ahead of the game. Yet, I still realized that I would have another list tomorrow...

Debriefing:
I would definately want to do this again. I pretty much do it everday anyway. It really works with my personality and makes me feel pretty good!