Why does school often feel bad for kids? As a student, I often felt I wasn’t good enough: who I was and what the world expected me to be were at odds. As a result, I felt marginalized and alone at school. I felt voiceless.

And then I became a teacher. Finally! On the other side of the desk. But there, much to my chagrin, I saw many students—and teachers and parents with similar plights: sad, alone, and depressed—rat-racing, getting by—not enough.

Why do some people rise to the top while others languish? Are there personal characteristics that enable some individuals and groups to thrive during tough times? Fascinated by these questions, management consultants Scott Asalone (MAPP ’08) and Jan Sparrow set out to study greatness nearly a decade ago and compiled their findings in their new book, Pathways to Greatness: 77 Inspirational Essays from The Greatness Project.

Are you on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter or any other of the hundreds of social-networking sites? Great, aren’t they? The social networking phenomenon has come in for some criticism for being detrimental to both physical and psychological health and well-being. On the other hand, Professor Mark Granovetter of Stanford University suggests that, paradoxically, weak ties can be more beneficial than strong ones.

Why endure such a long and intense procedure all for a silly beverage? The answer is simple. I wasn’t brewing alone. Brewing was really just an excuse for some quality male bonding.

Why is it that we are so fearful to talk about love at the office? Let’s explore love at the office as a good thing for a minute, and before you lift your brow, no, I’m not talking about having a love affair at the office. I am rather suggesting that those who experience care and companionship in their work environment have a sustainable, competitive advantage over those who don’t.

There are times in our lives when we are tested, when the unexpected occurs, or our worst fears are realized and we are forced to face new realities that are both uninvited and unwelcome. Can we transform these fiercest moments of life, the ones that threaten to overwhelm and overcome us, into moments of grace? I think we can and positive psychology can help us do it.

Barbara Heileman and Jan Elsner have been practitioners of positive psychology in business contexts in Australia for several years. When I asked, “What is the most burning thing you want to share with us?” their response concerned effective ways of measuring outcomes in terms that are organizationally relevant to business.

In an age of e-mail, on-line shopping and text-messaging it is easy to get sucked into wanting things to happen quickly, and if they don’t, it’s easy to give up. Grit is defined as perseverance and passion toward long-term goals. Gritty people tend to persevere, self-regulate and push themselves toward success.

Love changes the brain. In general, change in life correlates with physical change in the brain made possible by neural plasticity. The human ability to learn and adapt is king among our capacities – and research suggests that love is the queen of conditions enabling change and growth. We are wired, mind and body, to love and learn.

Love Photo Contest! Positive Psychology News Daily author Dave Shearon is offering three copies of Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson to the winners of PPND’s first ever contest!