Sounds about right...

From UPenn's Psychology Department.
http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/default.aspx

UPenn has a Positive Psycology program which "focuses on the empirical study of such things as positive emotions, strengths-based character, and healthy institutions." Basicall, they are studying ways to be happier. They look at how to feel more satisfied, more engaged with life, regardless of one’s circumstances, and they are also looking at how this affects depression symptoms. Obviously, after two years of torture here in my thankless job, this is interesting to me!

Anyway, the site also has questionnaires, as well as information. How Happy Are You? Work-Life Satisfaction (yeah, that one was low), Appreciation of the Past, Optimism for the Future, you get the idea. One of the questionnaires was a big long one, looking at Character Strengths. There are 24 Strengths that they looked at, and after answering a big long list of questions, looked at how you ranked with these particular character attributes. Here's how I ranked:

• Your Top Strength: Love of learning - You love learning new things, whether in a class or on your own. You have always loved school, reading, and museums-anywhere and everywhere there is an opportunity to learn.


• Your Second Strength: Curiosity and interest in the world - You are curious about everything. You are always asking questions, and you find all subjects and topics fascinating. You like exploration and discovery.


• Your Third Strength: Honesty, authenticity, and genuineness - You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a "real" person.


• Your Fourth Strength: Judgment, critical thinking, and open-mindedness - Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind.


• Your Fifth Strength: Kindness and generosity - You are kind and generous to others, and you are never too busy to do a favor. You enjoy doing good deeds for others, even if you do not know them well.

Seems pretty accurate to me!

You know, this is probably why I'm getting excited about the move too. The whole Love of Learning and Curiousity attributes.... :)