Making Hope Happen is fun to read and full of both science and stories. Lopez helps us understand that there is a difference between optimism and hope. He outlines The Hope Cycle, which includes goals, agency, and pathways. He makes a case for the value of cultivating hope in our lives.
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AllBook ReviewMoneyOptimismPositive Feelings_1 Positive Experiences
(Book Review) Happiness: Unlocking the Mysteries of Psychological Wealth
Can money buy happiness? (Ch. 6). Are happier people healthier? (Ch. 3). Do happier people get paid more? (Ch. 5). Are religious/spiritual people happier? (Ch. 7). Are some people just born happier? (Ch. 9). These are all components of the concept of psychological wealth.
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AllAweHabitsHealthMindfulnessOptimismPositive FeelingsSavoring / In-the-Moment
Savoring for your Health
I love to reminisce. When I get together with friends or family we tell the same stories again and again. Like the time we stared death in the face in…
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As I meet with individuals and couples, either in my role as a church leader or in my role as the Human Resources officer for my employer, I often find…
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As I talked to old friends and made new ones, Ilona Boniwell’s presentation came to mind over and over again. Ilona is a Senior Lecturer in Positive Psychology from the University of East London, UN. She spoke in one of the pre-forum sessions about teaching positive psychology in a postgraduate setting. Toward the end of her presentation, she mentioned that there seemed to be a “magic to MAPP.” She said that she has noticed that the people who study positive psychology in her program seem to see their studies as a calling. She said that positive psychologists seem drawn to the field and they sense a bond with other students that holds them together. […]
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AllAweLoveMindfulnessPathway 2 "Engagement / Flow"Pathway 3 "Meaning"Savoring / In-the-Moment
The Science and Wonder of Positive Psychology
I have been reading about the virtues as outlined in the book of virtues by Peterson and Seligman. I have been wondering how they all relate to each other and…
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AllBusinessPathway 2 "Engagement / Flow"Strengths_3 Positive Organizations
Thoughts on Performance Reviews and Positive Psychology
My boss has told me that he has never seen a performance review system that he liked. While it almost seems like blasphemy to admit this, I have been uncomfortable with the way corporations evaluate performance throughout my career in Human Resources. I have written and helped implement several approaches to performance evaluation over the years. Each approach was a variation on the common theme that is most widely accepted among corporations. […]
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AllLovePathway 3 "Meaning"Positive FeelingsResilienceSpirituality_2 Positive Traits
The Miracle and the Irony of Forgiving
Several months ago a man made an appointment to meet with me regarding some of his personal struggles. When the appointed time arrived I was more than a little curious about what was on his mind and how I could help. After sharing a heart rending story of his life experiences, he summed it up by saying that the biggest burden he carried was his inability to forgive those who had hurt him. What a heavy burden it was for him to carry.
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AllHappiness ExercisesPathway 3 "Meaning"Positive Feelings_1 Positive Experiences
Active and Constructive Responding – With A Twist
Several years ago I was visiting with friends and we were all getting ready to go out for the evening. One of my friends came into the living room and I complimented her on how pretty she looked. Her immediate, almost unconscious response was, “You’re blind.” I was shocked.
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Yikes! I’m turning 50 in ten days. It’s hard to believe. Where did the time go? What have I accomplished? What have I contributed? What do I want to accomplish…
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Please forgive the personal nature of this month’s writing. I don’t know how to communicate my thoughts this month without tapping into an experience from which my wife, Laurie, and…
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AllBusinessOptimismPositive FeelingsSpirituality_3 Positive Organizations
Flourishing with the Positive
I am the voluntary leader of a religious congregation of over 400 members. Like many churches, we have various auxiliaries and organizations to meet the needs of our membership. These…
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AllBusinessDecision-MakingHappiness ExercisesOptimism_1 Positive Experiences_3 Positive Organizations
Learning Optimism
Over ten years ago I came across a book that caught my eye. At the time I did not recognized the author by name and I was not familiar with…
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Douglas B. Turner, MAPP, is the Vice President of Human Resources for the Washington, DC Metro Division of Balfour Beatty Construction (formerly Centex Construction). Mr. Turner oversees all aspects of human…