Chris was my 701 instructor – a course on Strengths. He was a magical teacher – funny, humble, absent of ego, and never, ever, made you feel like you asked a stupid question (even if you did, and of course, I did). One of the things Chris was masterful at was creating assignments that met BOTH (a) academic learning goals AND (b) made a difference in your life. That’s a really, really hard combination to craft. Most assignments speak to one or the other, but not both.

One of his ‘flagship’ assignments was called “The 25th Strength.” Chris was humble and honest that the number of strengths sat at 24 “because 24 was a ‘good’ number” but frank in noting it may not be an exhaustive list – so asked students to make a case for their nominations for #25. I chose “equanimity” as my 25th, which (in my definition) was the trifecta of mindful awareness + spiritual calmness + connection with humanity. Of course, this was exactly what I was trying to cultivate in myself. And as I looked across my cohort’s papers, each of us, inexplicably, all selected something that we admired and wished to grow in ourselves…so as we were making and defending academic arguments, we were refining and developing concepts that were important to OUR own personal growth. What a smart guy. Ah, Chris, thank you for knowing that REsearch = MEsearch, and knowing that we would all gain personally, not just intellectually, from your crafty assignment. Well done.

My takeaway from that story that I extend to my own teaching is to respect and cultivate each student’s individual learning trajectory and growth – even if it’s a little different than exactly what you had intended. The best teaching is a collaboration. Thanks, Chris, for the lesson. We miss you at MAPP.

With respect, admiration, and humility.

I have tried to capture a brief glimpse of how Chris’ work has reverberated out in the world – through a discussion of a day in my life last week. I invite you to read my blog, dedicated to the memory of a man of the heart. http://lotusneuron.com/watblog/2012/10/18/positive-psychology/work-of-the-heart/

Thank-you Chris.

Of course, “Other people matter.”

Margaret: “Love, not surprisingly, is a robust correlate of life satisfaction – perhaps the chief one.”
Kathryn: “You’ve done a good job as a mother.”
Sherri: “I hope everyone doesn’t want to do that” to Sherri running over in heels to give him a hug
Acacia: “You should see if you can replicate that finding in mimes.”

Alan: “What’s the word in your heart – is it Yes or No?”
Kirsten: On not having to be a member of MAPP to feel that connection, that excitement, and that desire to make the world a better place, “MAPP students are not that special.”
Denise Q: About the VIA after a MAPP class, “It’s not a blood test.”
Shannon: “Do you know any Smokey Robinson?”
Kathy: “Tell me how your family is doing.”

Louis: “…Keep it up. You’re helping people improve their lives and that’s the most important part.”
Elaine: “I am proud of you.”
Eleanor: “big pulsing brains” –> big pulsing hearts

Kathryn, I remember that too now about the IPPA conference: Chris verbally shepherding us to the rooms with the speakers that we may not otherwise have gone to!

My favorite three words of Chris’ are “big pulsing brains.” Those words remind me that while our work is based in a tradition that prides itself on cognition and intellectual prowess, we need to remember that we have big pulsing hearts too. Chris was reminding himself, not to live exclusively in that place that creates great contributions, but also to experience how other people matter in our hearts. He was a wise, heartfelt man and I will carry him in my heart as well as my head.