http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com Applying Positive Psychology to Therapy, Coaching, Education, and Health Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:38:48 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Realizing you’re ill…not just being visited by a virus or the flu but really ill, can be both terrifying and disorienting. Two years ago, I found myself in this unfamiliar and uncertain territory. The acute phase of a serious, yet to be diagnosed illness, thrusts you into our “dysfunctional” health ... http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2009/08/25/the-healing-partnership/ With the economic world melting down, its more important than ever to know what brings happiness and satisfaction.  Despite the constant media blast of negativity, we are considerably more adaptive creatures than we believe.  The expanding field of happiness research has shown that we tend to overestimate the long-term impact ... http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2009/02/03/the-sky-is-falling-the-sky-is-falling/ This year I found The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky to be truly inspiring.  I read it and reread it, shared it, recommended it and gave it for presents.   The science and applications are beautifully organized for the construction of a happy life full of gratitude, connection, meaning and ... http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2009/01/16/are-we-ready-for-happiness-the-first-step/ A recent post in the "Huffinton Post" from Dec 3, 2008 discussed Barack Obama's political campaign in which he communicated to the American public a feeling of hope and painted the possibility of a better future.  "Even amidst economic crisis and international turmoil, a shared sense of hope lifted and ... http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/12/11/stoking-the-positive-our-future-depends-on-it/ Happiness Can Spread Among People Like a Contagion, Study Indicates By Rob Stein Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, December 5, 2008; A08 Happiness is contagious, spreading among friends, neighbors, siblings and spouses like the flu, according to a large study that for the first time shows how emotion can ripple through clusters of people ... http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/12/11/happiness-is-contagious-study-published-by-british-medical-journal/ As I view and listen to the political rhetoric in the media, I find myself agreeing and disagreeing with both sides. HERE is a website where you can compare your moral values with the political factions we are presented with. Where do you stand? Linda http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/10/31/what-are-your-political-leanings/ As we rush toward election day, inundated by political ads and television, I ask myself how do I keep myself positive about the electoral process. So when in doubt, I google. I found a wonderful article on the University of Pennsylvania's website about how positive psychology plays a part the ... http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/10/31/positive-psychology-politics/ Barbara Fredrickson and her colleagues just published some interesting new research in the "Journal of Personality and Social Psychology".  Here is the abstract: B. L. Fredrickson's (1998, 2001) broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions asserts that people's daily experiences of positive emotions compound over time to build a variety of consequential ... http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/10/28/open-hearts-build-lives-positive-emotions-induced-through-loving-kindness-meditation-build-consequential-personal-resources/ While enrolled in Marty Seligman's first "Authentic Happiness Coaching" class in 2003, I created a new family tradition designed to maximize a sense of gratitude during the Thanksgiving Holiday.  I purchased an inexpensive wooden box from a local Target store...it looks like a small "treasure box".  I set the box ... http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/10/13/thanksgiving-gratitude-box/ Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum in this charged election year, it’s striking to see the fire that has been ignited in many people, especially the younger generation by the emotional call of Barack Obama’s campaign for President. To those of us who study Positive Psychology ... http://positivepsychologycoachingblog.com/2008/01/30/the-audacity-of-hope-and-dealing-with-a-chronic-illness/