​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We at the Pacific Institute believe that people and organizations learn and perform best by positive reciprocity.  We do best by interacting with others based on their talents and strengths rather than the conventional focus on problems and limitations.  Please visit ​​​​​​​www.authentichappiness.org and take the free tests associated with cardinal traits.  Developed by Martin Seligman, PhD, of the Univ. of Pennsylvania, the VIA Survey of Character Strengths rank orders your 24 cardinal traits.  The inverse of the Golden Rule occurs when people, who believe they have been unjustly punished or exploited, attempt to obtain revenge.  Punishment elicits punishment, a replicated finding that has been established over a half century of research. Reversal of perspective is possible when we can see destruction and devastation from the point of view of another person.  This is the cognitive basis of empathy and altruism. ​​

​

Focus on the positive.​ The "Golden Ratio", in our opinion should be followed.  It is simply this:  A thriving environment is one where you experience between 4-10 positive events during a typical day, as you define positive events, for every negative event that you experience.  A toxic environment is one where you experience less than 4 positive events or more than 10. Many people for various reasons stay in highly toxic personal relationships or work environments. We advocate the study of happiness. A focus on happiness increases longevity, improves the immune system, and correlates to a yearly income up to $60,000 in 2010 dollars. Even keeping or sharing a log of daily positive events may eventually change the neuropsychology of the brain.  The last violence principle involving training in altruism and the advocacy of others can be coordinated with a daily regimen of positive interactions with others.​