What Would Dynamos Do?

Character Strength Superheroes

Help Solve Sticky Dilemmas

Written by Renee Jain

Illustrated by Nikki Abramowitz
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 Contents
Introduction: Neutrino’s Expedition ....................................................... 3
Meet the Dynamos! ................................................................................ 5
Story 1: Always Second Fiddle............................................................... 10
Story 2: Norma and Brittany's Great Adventure ................................... 15
Story 3: The Best Rocket Ship Ever ........................................................ 21
Story 9: My Secret Cat .......................................................................... 26
The Research......................................................................................... 31
Researched Benefits ............................................................................. 35
About the Author .................................................................................. 37
 Introduction: Neutrino’s Expedition
Hello, I am Neutrino from the planet Eudaimonia. I am responsible
for monitoring the universal fabric of well-being. My current mission is
here on Earth where I teach youthlings skills how to overcome challenges
and live the happiest lives possible.

I recently left Earth on a short expedition in search of more tools.

In my pursuit, I stopped on a planet which, according to my Felizmeter,
is bursting with happiness. I felt a strong energy when I landed, yet I saw
no traces of life. I searched and searched and finally geared up to leave…
then I heard a voice.

“Welcome, friend, what is your name?” said the most incredible

and tiny creature hovering close to my face.
 “Hello,” I replied, “I am Neutrino from Eudaimonia.”

“I am Bravo, a Dynamo. This is our planet Dynamis. What brings you

to our realm, Neutrino?” the Dynamo asked.

I described my intergalactic mission to Bravo and how the planet of

Dynamis is radiating an energy of happiness and strength into the
universe. Bravo smiled and said this is likely because every Dynamo is
born with a Dynamic or a unique character strength as well as a
Supertool to amplify their strength.

“Bravo, youthlings on Earth would love to meet you,” I explained.

“They could learn from your strengths—your Dynamics as you call
them—and from your Supertools. Would you be willing to travel there
with me?”

“I have a better idea, Neutrino.” Bravo declared. “We will set up a

portal between Earth and Dynamis. Anytime a youthling on Earth needs
one of our strengths, they just have to call our name aloud and we will
appear to them. I can make 24 of our most powerful Dynamos available
to youthlings.”
Meet the Dynamos!
Dynamo: Admirari, Dynamic: Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Supertool:
Viewer

Hi, I'm Admirari. I appreciate the beauty in things big and small. When I peer into
Viewer I see every detail of beauty in my surroundings. Sometimes I'm so caught
up, I trip over myself!

Dynamo: Bravo, Dynamic: Bravery, Supertool: Cloaker

Hi, I'm Bravo. When a scary challenge comes my way, I stand strong, even if I'm
frightened. When I need an extra burst of bravery, I put on Cloaker, my flexible and
invisible forceshield. Then I can face anything with courage.

Dynamo: Creatrix, Dynamic: Creativity, Supertool: Innovata

Hi, I'm Creatrix! My power is my imagination. I love coming up with original ways
to solve problems, discover anything new, and take creative risks. I brush Innovata
on people, places, and situations to boost their creativity.

Dynamo: Curio, Dynamic: Curiosity, Supertool: Inquisitor

Hi, I'm Curio. Isn't the universe so interesting? I spend my time exploring things
that are new and different. When I stare through Inquisitor, my curiosity spikes. I
do my best learning when I ask questions.

Dynamo: Fiera, Dynamic: Fairness, Supertool: Equilibri

Hi, I'm Fiera. I respectfully listen to every side of the story when there's a problem;
I give everyone a fair chance. When I'm having trouble determining what's fair, I
drop facts in Equilibri to weigh my options before forming an opinion.

Dynamo: Frieden, Dynamic: Forgiveness, Supertool: Fenix

Hi, I'm Frieden. When my feelings get hurt, I let them pass through me instead of
staying stuck inside. This way I can forgive and move on. When I'm really down,
Fenix perches on my arm or shoulders and instantly cheers me up.
Dynamo: Gratus, Dynamic: Gratitude, Supertool: Rosara

Hi, I'm Gratus. I'm thankful for all the terrific things in my life. When I sniff Rosara,
all those great things begin to glow, so I can really count my blessings. If I clutch
Rosara to my heart, time and space stops, and I can feel grateful longer.

Dynamo: Honestatis, Dynamic: Honesty, Supertool: Trulars

Hi, I'm Honestatis, but you can call me Stace. I keep it real with everyone by
speaking honestly. Understanding the truth is important to me. I point my Trulars
into a situation or at someone's heart and the whole truth is revealed.

Dynamo: Hoop, Dynamic: Hope, Supertool: Burst

Hi, I'm Hoop. I don't let things get me down. I see the bright side of things and focus
on the positives. When things don't seem like they're going to work out, I shine
Burst to see beyond obstacles and feel hope.

Dynamo: Humilis, Dynamic: Humility, Supertool: Glamode

Hi, I'm Humilis. I don't like to brag about my achievements. I put Glamode in my
pocket to keep me humble. My accomplishments speak for themselves, and I don't
have to say a word!

Dynamo: Hilares, Dynamic: Humor, Supertool: Komical

Hi, I'm Hilares. I love to laugh! If a situation gets too serious, I use respectful humor
to lighten the mood. I put Komical on my head (or someone else's -- ha!), and
everyone bursts into fits of laughter.

Dynamo: Judecator, Dynamic: Judgment, Supertool: Holio

Hi, I'm Judecator, but most people call me Jude. Before passing judgment, I
consider every possibility and point of view. I twirl Holio around to see all the
possibilities in a situation. Once I have considered these, I can form my opinion.
Dynamo: Karma, Dynamic: Kindness, Supertool: Wuzzy

Hi, I'm Karma. My favorite thing to do is to help others, even if it's not easy or
convenient. I love being kind. If I rub Wuzzy on someone, they experience an
explosion of warm, happy feelings.

Dynamo: Lideo, Dynamic: Leadership, Supertool: Luminous

Hi, I'm Lideo. I can be a good leader by organizing, planning, and taking
responsibility for successes and challenges. When I lead a team, I shine Luminous
on everyone to reveal their unique Dynamic. Connecting all the Dynamics makes
us unstoppable!

Dynamo: L’Amour, Dynamic: Love, Supertool: Activator

Hi, I’m L’Amour. My heart is filled with love. I care deeply about others and their
feelings, and express my love through words and actions. If someone is sad, I can
touch Activator to their heart so they will feel love, joy, and peace.

Dynamo: Lore, Dyamic: Love of Learning, Supertool: Omnibus

Hi, I’m Lore. I am a student of anything and everything--I love to learn. I search
Omnibus to find any word ever written in any language in the universe. Reading in
Omnibus increases my passion for knowledge so that I want to learn even more!

Dynamo: Prana, Dynamic: Perseverance, Supertool: Progressor

Hi, I’m Prana. When I start something, I like to finish it, no matter what obstacles
stand in my way. I climb on Progressor when things get tough to take me closer to
achieving my goals. I never give up, and always persevere.

Dynamo: Panorama, Dynamic: Perspective, Supertool: Vistacle

Hi, I'm Panorama or Pano for short. I like to help give my friends new perspectives
and show them the bigger picture in difficult situations. When I need more insight,
I peer through Vistacle to get a different point of view.
Dynamo: Prudentia, Dynamic: Prudence, Supertool: Doubley

Hi, I’m Prudentia. I like to think things through before taking action. I tap Doubley
on my work to double check for accuracy and completion and on my head to
remind me to think carefully about how my words will affect others.

Dynamo: Sama, Dynamic: Self-Regulation, Supertool: Curby

Hi, I'm Sama. I always want to do the right thing with my brain and body, even when
no one is looking. If I'm faced with a real temptation, I write it on a slip of paper
and put in it Curby. Resisting temptations helps me reach my goals.

Dynamo: Sosharu, Dynamic: Social Intelligence, Supertool: Compassionator

Hi, I’m Sosharu. I can be friends with just about anyone because I can sense how
people feel. When I want to deeply connect with someone, I touch their image on
my Compassionator to see the world through their eyes.

Dynamo: Spiritus, Dynamic: Spirituality, Supertool: Ring of Awe

Hi, I'm Spiritus. I am tuned into the wonder of nature and the universe. When I
want to share that feeling with others, I pull out my Ring of Awe, and they are also
awestruck.

Dynamo: Takim, Dynamic: Teamwork, Supertool: Joiner

Hi, I'm Takim. I'm a great team player who supports my teammates and respects
my leader. I use Joiner to connect each team member's individual strengths to form
one super strong team.

Dynamo: Zesi, Dynamic: Zest, Supertool: Flash

Hi, I'm Zesi! Life is amazing and exciting. I love to participate and give off good vibes.
When I put Flash into the ground, everyone nearby bursts with enthusiasm.
 Story 1: Always Second Fiddle

Phil stuffed his textbooks into his backpack and closed his locker. It
had been a long day, and he was ready to go home. He didn’t even want
to think about the fact that it was only Monday. Four more days until the
weekend...

With a sigh, he shuffled down the hallway toward the exit. Just then
someone shouted his name.
 “Hey, Phil, wait a second!” It was Sam, Phil’s friend, so he stopped
and waited for Sam to catch up.

“You’re lucky I’m a good friend,” Phil said, forcing a smile. “You said
to wait one second and it took you exactly 3.7 seconds to get here.”

“Ha! You’re hilarious, Phil. Where are you going? I thought you
would be at the Young Astronaut Club meeting, but Daz said you never
showed up.”

Phil shrugged. “I’m pretty tired after the wrestling tournament this
weekend. I think I’m just gonna go home.”

It was true that Phil was tired and sore from the tournament, but
that wasn’t the real reason he wanted to go home. He had finished
second in the tournament—again!—and the first place winner had stood
on stage and basked in all the cheers during the pep rally that afternoon.
Phil practiced hard and was a good wrestler, but he never came in first.

“Oh, yeah,” Sam said, clapping Phil on the back. “Congratulations!

You got the silver medal. Great job!”

“Thanks, but like they say, second place is just the first loser.” Phil
smiled and pretended like it was just a joke, but he really meant it.

“That’s funny,” Sam said. “I know you’re tired, but can I convince
you to stay? I need a little help.”

“What’s up?”
 “The drama club is performing Romeo and Juliet tonight, and our
Tybalt got sick. We need someone to fill in, and you’re the only one who
knows all the lines.”

Phil shook his head in frustration. “You want me to play a character

that Romeo kills?”

“Yeah. With your sense of humor, the dialogue leading up to our

duel will be awesome.”

“I don’t know,” Phil said. He had originally auditioned to play

Romeo, but Sam had won the role. Phil had been offered the role of
Tybalt instead, but he had turned it down, saying he wanted to focus on
wrestling practice. Now here he was being offered the supporting role
again.

Sam frowned, sensing that Phil was upset. “You’re not mad that I
got the role of Romeo, are you? I’ve been acting for a long time. I mean,
there’s no way I could go out on the wrestling mat and hope to beat you.
Acting is one of my things, the same way wrestling is one of your things.”

“No, I’m not mad at you,” Phil said. “I just don’t know...”

“Okay. Well, take a couple of minutes to think about it,” Sam said.
“I need to run to my locker to grab my costume before the dress
rehearsal, but I’ll be right back. I think it would be super fun—two friends
getting to act together. Come on, let’s do it!”

Sam sprinted off, leaving Phil alone to consider his options. Phil
didn’t want to disappoint Sam, but he really didn’t want to play a
supporting role anymore. In fact, he almost wanted to quit wrestling—
and the Young Astronaut Club, too.

He was sick—so sick—of coming in second. When was it going to

be his turn to win? Maybe he wouldn’t be so disappointed in himself if
he quit trying to win.

Questions: If you were Phil, what would you do? Which Dynamos would
you call to Earth to help you in this situation and why?

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 Story 2: Norma and Brittany's Great Adventure

“And that, class, is the difference between coniferous and

deciduous trees,” said Science Guy.

Norma was lazily doodling on the page in front of her. She glanced
at the clock—class was almost over. She breathed a sigh of relief. Norma
figured science was meaningful to some, but to her, listening to Science
Guy drone on and on about ecosystems was as exciting as watching paint
dry.
 She glanced across the aisle at Brittany, her best friend. She was
nodding and smiling as Science Guy spoke.

“Your homework tonight does not have anything to do with books,”

Science Guy announced. “I want you to get out and enjoy the beautiful
fall weather. Explore nature. Get dirt under your nails.”

“Ew,” thought Norma. “That would ruin my polish.”

Science Guy continued: “I want you to collect five samples of

coniferous leaves and five samples of deciduous leaves. Don’t use the
same leaf twice, and label your leaves with the names of the trees they
come from. Take your samples from the ground—no picking leaves off
the trees. We don’t want to hear trees all over Fliderdale screaming,
now, do we?”

Science Guy chuckled at his own joke. “Any questions?” he asked.

Just then the bell rang. Norma grabbed her books and hurried over
to Brittany, who looked excited about the new assignment.

“Did you hear that?” Norma asked incredulously.

“Hear what?”

“That homework assignment. He wants us to go, like, hike around

and stuff.”

“I know!” Brittany exclaimed. She sensed Norma’s disdain for

nature, so she said calmly, “Come on, Norm; it’s better than answering a
bunch of questions. Besides, we can do it together. It’ll be fun.”
 Norma squinted at Brittany, wondering what had gotten into her
bestie, but the girls agreed to meet after school at the edge of the forest.

The trees in Fliderdale Forest looked like they were on fire. Orange,
red, yellow, and brown leaves created a canopy as far as the eye could
see. The leaves under the girls’ feet crunched as they hurried toward the
trailhead. The late October sun shone warm on their shoulders, but the
breeze made them glad they had worn their jackets.

Norma was anxious to get this project finished. The only thing she
liked less than science was nature. It was so... dirty. She grabbed the first
five leaves she could find, turned to Brittany and said, “Okay, I’ve got
five. Let’s go.”

“Wait,” said Brittany. “You need five coniferous leaves, too, and
besides, those are all maple leaves. They have to come from different
trees.”

“Since when are you the expert on all this nature stuff?” Norma
challenged.

“My parents used to take my brother and me to national parks for

every vacation. Half my childhood was spent camping. My dad taught us
all about different leaves and plants.”

Brittany smiled at the memories, and then she turned to the trail.

“Come on. We have leaves to collect.”

The girls moved deeper into the forest in silence. Norma kept her
eyes on the ground, waiting for a different leaf to appear. Brittany kept
her gaze upward, drinking in the fall air around her. For once, both girls
were lost in their own worlds, oblivious to one another.

After what seemed like hours, Norma finally had found her leaves.
She bent down to pick up the last one, stopped, and was relieved—until
she looked up and realized it was getting dark.

“Um, Brit? Do you know where we are?” Norma asked.

“Huh?”

Holding a group of leaves in one hand and still gazing at the canopy,
Brittany gradually shifted her gaze to Norma’s worried face.

“Do you know where we are?” Norma asked again.

Brittany looked slowly from one side to the other, then spun in a
complete circle.

“I have no idea,” Brittany responded.

The girls stared at each other. Panic rose in Norma’s throat. They
were lost.

“Don’t panic,” Brittany said. “All we have to do is follow the trail

back the way we came.”

Moving briskly, the girls headed in what they thought was the
direction home. But obscured by leaves and twigs, the trail quickly
became difficult to follow in the waning light. They quickened their pace,
Brittany leading Norma. Suddenly, Brittany stopped short. Just ahead,
the trail branched into two paths that led in opposite directions.
 “This way,” Brittany said confidently, pointing to the trail on the
left.

Norma wasn’t so sure. She had been staring at the trail the whole
time, and she remembered that their path was covered in flat, yellow
leaves. The path Brittany was pointing to was covered in piles of brown
leaves that hadn’t been walked on in weeks. Norma didn't want to
contradict her friend, but she felt strongly that Brittany was wrong.

“I don’t think that’s the way,” Norma replied hesitantly.

“I’ve been walking in forests all my life,” Brittany said impatiently,

her hands on her hips. “This is the path. I’m your best friend. Don’t you
trust me?”

Questions: If you were Norma, what would you do? If you were Brittany,
what would you do? Which Dynamos would you call to Earth to help you
and why?

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 Story 3: The Best Rocket Ship Ever

Excitement was in the air; you could almost smell it. The Young
Astronaut Club’s annual field trip to see a real rocket up close and
personal was coming soon. The only problem was that the club could
only take ten kids, and close to twenty wanted to go. The club decided
to hold a rocket- building contest to see who would make the cut. It
sounded like the trip of a lifetime, and Sam was determined to qualify.
 Sam had one of those likable personalities that drew other kids to
him. He walked with a happy bounce as he strode through the hallways
in his favorite red sneakers, greeting anyone who passed by. Sam
approached other students with a smile and a cheerful tone: “Hey, Daz,
how’s it goin’ today?” and “Have a great day, Sabrina!”

He approached this space-related project with the same

enthusiasm. “To to on the trip with the Young Astronaut Club,” he
mused, “I’m going to have to build something sensational.” He decided
to build a rocket that could actually take off. He would use vinegar,
baking soda, and some other household supplies to make the liftoff look
real.

For weeks, Sam toiled on his project after school. He finally gave
his best friend, Tomas Krishnamurti, a call to see if he wanted to check
out what Sam was doing. Tomas came right over.

At first, Tomas watched Sam build while he flipped through some

bike-racing magazines piled in a corner of Sam’s room. Every now and
again he’d peek up from the magazine, expressing only mild curiosity. He
liked hanging out with Sam, but Tomas really wasn’t that interested in
science stuff.

As Tomas watched Sam work on his project, his eyebrows rose as

he became more and more interested in how all the parts and supplies
seemed to work together perfectly. Tomas asked, “Hey, Sam, so what’s
the deal with the Young Astronaut Club? I mean, what’s it all about?”

His green eyes flashed with delight as Sam described the club. “Oh,
it’s seriously awesome. You learn about what it would be like to explore
space and become an astronaut. You meet people who are interested in
the same stuff, and they organize these amazing field trips.”

“Hey, Tomas, you should join the club, too! Why don’t you build
something for the field trip tryouts? You still have a few days left.”

Tomas’s ears perked up; he was more than mildly interested. He

wanted in on the action. After finding a project in a book Sam had on his
workbench, Tomas hurriedly said, “Okay, Sam, gotta run and get all my
supplies.”

“Okay, see ya later.”

Tomas brought the supplies back to his house and began to

meticulously put together an awe-inspiring project—he even surprised
himself. When the day came to present his project, Tomas met Sam at
the door. Sam saw Tomas’s rocket, and his jaw dropped.

They both had the same thought: Tomas might take Sam’s spot on
the field trip.

Should Tomas show his project at the Young Astronaut Club

tryouts?

Questions: If you were Tomas, what would you do? Which Dynamos
would you call to Earth to help you in this situation and why?

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 Story 9: My Secret Cat

"Are you sure you want more tuna for lunch this week? Aren’t you
getting tired of it," Mrs. Kim asked Yoon-Hee.

"No, Mom. I still love it. Really." Yoon-Hee grabbed the can off the
counter and stuck it into her backpack. "Bye!"

Yoon-Hee took off toward the school, taking a shortcut through an

overgrown lot with an empty shed. She crouched down in the weeds and
pulled the pop-top off the tuna can.
 In a flash, a small, white ball of fur darted out from behind the shed
and rubbed up against Yoon-Hee's knees.

"Here's your breakfast, Marshmallow." The kitten purred as Yoon-

Hee patted his head.

Marshmallow was Yoon-Hee's secret cat. Yoon-Hee wasn't sure,

but she suspected the kitten crawled into a gap between the shed door
and the wall at night. She’d found him last month on the way home from
school. When she reached out her hand, the kitten came to her right
away. They had been friends ever since, and Yoon-Hee started bringing
Marshmallow breakfast when she realized he was getting skinny and
must be all alone.

"Today I'm going to ask my mom if you can come live with us; I
promise. You can have real cat food and sleep on my bed!" Marshmallow
looked up from his food and licked his lips. "I'll pick you up after school."

At school, Yoon-Hee saw Lisa and Marissa arguing in the hallway.

She quickly ducked behind her locker door to avoid Lisa. After a nice
morning with Marshmallow, she wasn't in the mood for any of Lisa's
mean comments.

"I just can't believe you didn't say anything sooner! He's been gone
for a whole month!" Marissa was shouting at Lisa, and Yoon-Hee couldn't
help overhearing. "It's like you don't even care, and now he might be
gone forever!" Marissa slammed her locker and stormed away from her
twin sister.
 When Yoon-Hee peeked around her locker door, she saw Lisa's
shoulders shaking. She was crying! Yoon-Hee couldn't believe it. Lisa was
always so tough. What happened?

Yoon-Hee was wondering what to do when Lisa suddenly turned

around.

"What are you looking at?" Lisa quickly wiped her face and raised
her chin. "My cat ran away, okay? And I'm mad, not sad!" She stalked off
down the hall after Marissa.

Yoon-Hee slowly closed her locker and headed to class. She could
barely pay attention to anything Ms. Crabtree was saying about their
history quiz. All she could think about was Lisa saying her cat had run
away.

Yoon-Hee felt a funny feeling in her stomach. Marissa had said their
cat had been missing for a month, and Yoon-Hee knew it had been about
that long since the day she first saw Marshmallow. His name probably
wasn't Marshmallow, Yoon-Hee realized. He must be Lisa's cat, and he’d
gotten lost trying to find his way back to her house.

Yoon-Hee knew that she should tell Lisa about Marshmallow and
show her the kitten. But she didn’t want to talk to Lisa. What if Lisa
accused her of stealing her cat? If Yoon-Hee didn't say anything, she
could take Marshmallow home for good.

Yoon-Hee loved Marshmallow and wanted a pet more than

anything. It wasn't fair that Lisa was so mean and got to have a cat that
she let run away. Yoon-Hee knew she would take better care of him, so
that would make it okay, right?
 Still, she knew that Lisa was really upset about her missing cat. She
didn't know what to do.

Questions: If you were Yoon-hee, what would you do? Which Dynamos
would you call to Earth to help you in this situation and why?

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 The Research
The basis of the 24 strengths chosen for the Dynamos is a research-based
classification known as The VIA classification of strengths. The VIA came from a
multiyear project in which 55 top social scientists asked the following question:
What is best about humans? Over three years, these scientists researched the
world's major writings on religion, philosophy, organizational studies, youth
development, psychiatry, and psychology, among others, to seek out the virtues
and strengths valued across cultures and time. The goal was for this group to leave
no stone unturned in order to produce an exhaustive list of character strengths. In
order to avoid redundancies and narrow the list, the group made sure each
strength followed certain criteria:
Each character strength...
• is ubiquitous or widely recognized across cultures
• is fulfilling or contributes to individual fulfillment, satisfaction, and happiness
• is morally valued or valued on its own and not for any outcome it may
produce
• does not diminish others or elevates others who see it in action
• has an opposite or has obvious antonyms that are negative
• is trait-like or exhibits patterns that are generally stable over time
• is measurable or has been successfully measured by researchers
• is distinct or is not redundant with other strengths
• has paragons or individuals who are exemplars of the strength
• has prodigies or is shown precociously in some youth
• can be selectively absent or missing in some individuals altogether
• has enabling institutions or is a deliberate goal of society
The result of all of this work is the VIA classification, or the list of 6 core virtues
and the 24 character strengths categorized within them.
 Check it out:
Wisdom and Knowledge - Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of
knowledge.
• Creativity [originality, ingenuity]: Thinking of novel and productive ways to
conceptualize and do things; includes artistic achievement but is not limited
to it.
• Curiosity [interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience]: Taking an
interest in ongoing experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics
fascinating; exploring and discovering.
• Judgment [critical thinking]: Thinking things through and examining them
from all sides; not jumping to conclusions; being able to change one's mind
in light of evidence; weighing all evidence fairly.
• Love of Learning: Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge,
whether on one's own or formally; obviously related to the strength of
curiosity but goes beyond it to describe the tendency to add systematically
to what one knows.
• Perspective [wisdom]: Being able to provide wise counsel to others; having
ways of looking at the world that make sense to oneself and to other people.
Courage - Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals
in the face of opposition, external or internal.
• Bravery [valor]: Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain;
speaking up for what is right even if there is opposition; acting on convictions
even if unpopular; includes physical bravery but is not limited to it.
• Perseverance [persistence, industriousness]: Finishing what one starts;
persisting in a course of action in spite of obstacles; “getting it out the door”;
taking pleasure in completing tasks.
• Honesty [authenticity, integrity]: Speaking the truth but more broadly
presenting oneself in a genuine way and acting in a sincere way; being
without pretense; taking responsibility for one's feelings and actions.
 • Zest [vitality, enthusiasm, vigor, energy]: Approaching life with excitement
and energy; not doing things halfway or halfheartedly; living life as an
adventure; feeling alive and activated.
Humanity - Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others.
• Love: Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing
and caring are reciprocated; being close to people.
• Kindness [generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love,
"niceness"]: Doing favors and good deeds for others; helping them; taking
care of them.
• Social Intelligence [emotional intelligence, personal intelligence]: Being
aware of the motives and feelings of other people and oneself; knowing what
to do to fit into different social situations; knowing what makes other people
tick.
Justice - Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life.
• Teamwork [citizenship, social responsibility, loyalty]: Working well as a
member of a group or team; being loyal to the group; doing one's share.
• Fairness: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and
justice; not letting personal feelings bias decisions about others; giving
everyone a fair chance.
• Leadership: Encouraging a group of which one is a member to get things
done, and at the same time maintaining good relations within the group;
organizing group activities and seeing that they happen.
Temperance - Strengths that protect against excess.
• Forgiveness: Forgiving those who have done wrong; accepting the
shortcomings of others; giving people a second chance; not being vengeful.
• Humility: Letting one's accomplishments speak for themselves; not regarding
oneself as more special than one is.
• Prudence: Being careful about one's choices; not taking undue risks; not
 saying or doing things that might later be regretted.
• Self-Regulation [self-control]: Regulating what one feels and does; being
disciplined; controlling one's appetites and emotions.
Transcendence - Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and
provide meaning.
• Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence [awe, wonder, elevation]: Noticing
and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in various
domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday
experience.
• Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen;
taking time to express thanks.
• Hope [optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation]: Expecting the best
in the future and working to achieve it; believing that a good future is
something that can be brought about.
• Humor [playfulness]: Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other
people; seeing the light side; making (not necessarily telling) jokes.
• Spirituality [faith, purpose]: Having coherent beliefs about the higher
purpose and meaning of the universe; knowing where one fits within the
larger scheme; having beliefs about the meaning of life that shape conduct
and provide comfort.
VIA Classification © 2004-2016, VIA Institute on Character. All Rights Reserved.
Used with Permission. www.viacharacter.org
 Researched Benefits
Are there benefits to teaching our youth about character strengths? You
betcha! Check out some of the research:
• In a longitudinal study of adolescents' transition to middle school,
intellectual and temperance strengths predicted school performance and
achievement, interpersonal strengths related to school social functioning,
and temperance and transcendence strengths predicted well-being
(Shoshani & Slone, 2012).
• In a study of children’s adjustment to first grade, parents’ intellectual,
interpersonal, and temperance strengths related to their child’s school
adjustment, while the children’s intellectual, interpersonal, temperance, and
transcendence strengths related to first-grade adjustment (Shoshani & Ilanit
Aviv, 2012).
• In a study of adolescents’ character strengths and career/vocational
interests, intellectual strengths were related to investigative and artistic
career interests, transcendence and other-oriented strengths were related
to social career interests, and leadership strengths were associated with
enterprising career interests (Proyer, Sidler, Weber, & Ruch, 2012).
• In a study of adolescent romantic relationships, honesty, humor, and love
were the most preferred character strengths in an ideal partner (Weber &
Ruch, 2012a).
• Character strengths of the mind (e.g., self-regulation, perseverance, love of
learning) were predictive of school success (Weber & Ruch, 2012b).
• In a study of the VIA Youth Survey, five strengths factors emerged and were
independently associated with well-being and happiness (Toner, Haslam,
Robinson, & Williams, 2012).
• A study of 319 adolescent students between the ages of 12-14 were divided
into two groups in which 2/3 received character strength-building activities
and strengths challenges within the school curriculum (called Strengths
Gym), and 1/3 did not; those who participated in strengths experienced
increased in life satisfaction compared to the controls (Proctor et al., 2011).
• Among high school students, other-oriented strengths (e.g., kindness,
teamwork) predicted fewer depression symptoms while transcendence
 strengths (e.g., spirituality) predicted greater life satisfaction (Gillham et al.,
2011).
• Positive education programming which heavily involves character strengths
assessment and intervention led to improved student school skills and
greater student enjoyment and engagement in school (e.g., improved
curiosity, love of learning, and creativity; Seligman et al., 2009).
• The most prevalent character strengths in very young children are love,
kindness, creativity, curiosity, and humor (Park & Peterson, 2006a).
• When compared with U.S. adults, youth from the U.S. are higher on the
character strengths of hope, teamwork, and zest and adults are higher on
appreciation of beauty & excellence, honesty, leadership, open-mindedness
(Park & Peterson, 2006b).
• Convergence of strengths between parents and child are modest except for
spirituality where it is substantial (Peterson & Seligman, 2004)
• Character strengths with a developmental trajectory (least common in youth
and increase over time through cognitive maturation) are appreciation of
beauty & excellence, forgiveness, modesty, open-mindedness (Park &
Peterson, 2006a; 2006b).
• Focus groups with 459 high school students from 20 high schools found that
students largely believe the 24 VIA strengths are acquired and that the
strengths develop through ongoing experience, the students cited minimal
character strength role models, and they particularly valued the strengths of
love of learning, perspective, love, social intelligence, leadership, and
spirituality (Steen, Kachorek, & Peterson, 2003).

VIA Classification © 2004-2016, VIA Institute on Character. All Rights Reserved.

Used with Permission. www.viacharacter.org
 About the Author
My name is Renee Jain (pronounced Ree-knee Jane)
and many of the stories within GoStrengths! and
GoZen! programs are based on the challenges I
faced while growing up. You see, I was raised by
loving and supportive parents and had a pretty
decent life, but I never learned to cope with
adversity—not properly, at least. I was the queen of
exaggeration… little molehills in my life regularly
blew up into mountains of pain and sorrow. I often
suffered in silence clutching onto my motto, “No one gets it.”

I learned much later in life that people do indeed understand what kids go
through when they feel anxious, depressed, misunderstood, or just plain stressed
out. I learned there are effective methods to cope with problems and increase
one’s resilience. I also discovered that beyond the capacity to survive, it is possible
to learn how to thrive. Happiness is a skill which can be practiced, and life can offer
deep meaning, purpose, and joy. With the help of Neutrino, I hope to take the
lessons I have gleaned through my personal and professional experience and pass
them on to as many other humanoids as possible.

I invite you to join me on my journey. Together we can change the lives of

the next generation by equipping them with skills of happiness and resilience—
skills which will propel them toward every measure of success possible. Get in
touch with me at reneejain.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Some professional stuff:

Renee is one of less than 400 people in the world to earn her Master’s degree
in Positive Psychology—the scientific study of optimal human functioning—from
the University of Pennsylvania. Renee has been personally mentored and trained
by some of the top depression prevention experts in the world. A gifted life coach,
she has coached over 5,000 clients in the science of resilience.
 Terms of Sharing the ♥
1. Please do share these resources with friends
and family by sharing this page: https://gozen.
com/printables/
2. Please don’t post these resources directly to
your own website or on your own portal. Share
our printables page instead (see #1). Thank
you!
3. Please do join us on our FREE Facebook group
where we are sharing positive interventions,
printables, and resilience techniques every
day! Go here: https://facebook.com/groups/
scienceofhappinessforkids/
GoZen! Programs help kids Manage Stress and Build Resilience
All of our animated programs are research-based and rooted in science, and each
program focuses on a different set of life skills to help kids thrive.

GoZen! Anxiety/Stress Relief Program

6 Modules / 36 Animations / 75+ Minutes of video
Does your child struggle with chronic worry or anxiety? The GoZen! anxiety relief program
teaches your child how to understand and control their worry. And because stress, pressure
and challenges are part of everyday life, these are skills your child will use forever.

GoStrengths! Well-being + Resilience Program

10 Modules / 115 Animations / 125+ Minutes of video
Arm your kids with well-being! GoStrengths! is a comprehensive social and emotional
learning program focusing on 8 vital skills including goal-setting, optimistic thinking,
problem-solving, resilience, character strengths, emotional regulation, social skills, and self-
confidence.

GoHackify! OCD Relief Program

5 Modules / 30 Animations / 110+ Minutes of video
Is your child engaging in ritual behavior or plagued with repetitive, negative thoughts that
won’t stop coming back? This program follows Kai and Sage; two kids whose intrusive
thoughts are affecting their everyday life. The Dynamos step in to teach them how to
combat their “Brain Spam” and take back control!

GoToTheNow! Mindfulness Program

1 Module / 12 Animations / 40 Minutes of Video
Do you want to bring the art and science of mindfulness into your kids’ lives? Join Neutrino’s
student, Tau, on this concise program that walks the kids (and adults!) of Fliderdale through
some tried-and-true mindfulness exercises... with a GoZen! twist.

GoPositive! Negative Thoughts Mini Program

1 Module / 7 Animations / 30 Minutes of video
This succinct 7-animation mini-program walks teens and tweens through how to recognize
when negative thoughts are taking over, and introduces 5 different tools they can use to
break out of a negative thought cycle.

GoWave! Panic Attack Mini Program

1 Module / 12 Animations / 55+ Minutes of video
Neutrino and a brand new team are on an action-packed mission to Earth to uncover the
truth behind panic attacks. Teens & tweens learn about their innate superpowers; the fight,
flight, or freeze response; and how to understand and overcome the overwhelming feelings
panic attacks cause.

GoAction! Procrastination Relief Program

1 Module / 6 Animations / 24+ Minutes of video
Taylor is totally awesome, but he’s also totally disorganized, always late for class, and days
behind on his homework. He’s a chronic procrastinator! Luckily, he gets research-based
tools to curb his procrastination from... his future self!

Get Free Printables Every Week at GoZen.com/printables/