The Positive Psychology Of Personal Transformation

Given the current climate of economic and environmental uncertainty, it is all too easy for individuals to feel hopeless about their lives and indifferent to the problems of others. But according to leading psychologist, James Garbarino, this is the peak time for people to enhance their optimism, empathy, and emotional responsiveness. In his important new book, The Positive Psychology of Personal Transformation, Dr. Garbarino reveals the social basis for moral development in adversity, and the mental and physical benefits of psychological and spiritual growth. Drawing widely on his years as a healing professional and own experience of personal crisis as well as on decades of resilience and happiness literature, the author traces the evolution of the moral sense that affects all human relationships, including the one with the Earth itself. In these compelling pages, Dr. Garbarino: Examines how humans’ deep bonds with dogs can model positive human relationships. Compares the risks and benefits of the “oblivious” versus the self-aware life. Analyzes the role of trauma in heightening our sense of the meaning of life and defines the experience of transformational grace in adversity. Explains current manifestations of narcissism and the need for “the positive death of the self.” Asserts that every person is capable of “living an ‘extraordinary’ life.” A book with vast significance across the healing disciplines, The Positive Psychology of Personal Transformation should be read, savored, and practiced by researchers, practitioners, and scientists in clinical child, school, and developmental psychology; social work; educational and community psychology; sociology; and public health.

Historically, interventions designed to impact the lives of disabled people were predicated upon deficits-based models of disability. This began to change with the introduction of World Health Organization (WHO) frameworks, particularly the International Classification of Function (ICF), that emphasized that disability could only be understood in the context of interactions among health, environmental factors, and personal factors and by examining the impact of such factors on a person’s activities and participation. The ICF identified personal factors as among the elements of a social-ecological model of disability but did not provide an extensive taxonomy of what constitutes such factors. The Positive Psychology of Personal Factors examines personal factors that come from the field of positive psychology and, as such, to begin to identify and build strengths-based approaches to promoting the full participation, dignity, and well-being of disabled people.

In recent times there has been growing interest in positive psychology as evidenced by the swell in positive psychology graduate programs, undergraduate courses, journals related to the topic, popular book titles on the topic and scholarly publications. Within the positive psychology community there has been an increased emphasis on the socially beneficial side of positive psychological science. At the First World Congress of the International Positive Psychology Association there was a major push to look at positive psychology as a social change mechanism. This volume will bring together thoughts of leaders in positive psychology from 8 countries to capitalize on the push toward social change and flourishing. By releasing this title at a critical time Springer has the opportunity to help frame the agenda for positive psychology as a force for social change. This seminal work is meant for anyone interested in happiness, strengths, flourishing or positive institutions It introduces Positive Psychology as an unapplied science that can be used to create positive social transformation and enabling institutions. This is a must-have title for academics, especially psychologists, sociologists, economists, and professionals working in the field of Positive Psychology and Well-Being.

Because medical illness has been one of the primary contexts in which researchers have studied the phenomenon of positive life change, this book focuses on how positive life change might be fostered in the context of medical illness.

Positive psychology is currently equated with theory and research on the positive aspects of life. The reality could not be further from the truth. Positive psychology investigates and researches some of the most difficult and painful experiences. Second Wave Positive Psychology: Embracing the Dark Side of Life is an innovative and groundbreaking textbook that explores a variety of topics we consider to be part of the ‘dark’ side of life while emphasising their role in our positive functioning and transformation as human beings. This more nuanced approach to the notions of ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ can be described as the ‘second wave' of Positive Psychology. Positive Psychology is one of the fastest growing and least understood branches of psychology. Exploring topics at the heart of Positive Psychology, such as meaning, resilience, human development, mortality, change, suffering, and spirituality, this book engages with so-called ‘negative’ matters from a Positive Psychology angle, showing how the path of personal development can involve experiences which, while challenging, can lead to growth, insight, healing and transformation. Containing useful resources, case studies, practical exercises and chapter summaries, Second Wave Positive Psychology is an essential guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying positive psychology, as well as clinicians wanting to know more about the subject. It will also be relevant to the layperson who is interested in positive psychology.

Grounded in five principles, the book is intended to enable you to be happier, adapt well to change, make self-empowering choices, build upon your strengths with a positive focus and bring greater peace and balance to all areas of your life.

The ability to change and adapt quickly in today's unpredictable world is more critical than ever before for creating and retaining abundance, health, meaning, and happiness.Whether you want to escape the rat race, find happiness, change your career, solve demanding health problems, understand the path to authentic meaning and fulfillment, or just live fully by getting in touch with your true inner self, Beyond Positive Psychology is the blueprint. This step-by-step guide to a Conscious, Enlightened Life teaches: *Why self-sufficiency to change and adapt quickly is the most important skill you can acquire in today's accelerating, changing world.*How to utilize the immense power of your brain to boost your change process.*How to overcome the Almighty Syndrome, which is the #1 reason for limiting the ability to change and create the life you dream about.*How to use the Seven Golden Keys for Creating a Conscious, Enlightened Mind. *How to understand what Your True Inner Self wants with your life.*Why mastering ancient wisdom and technologies to access metaphysical spheres (described in quantum field theory) can turbo-boost all changing processes like an enzyme that accelerates chemical reactions. Paul Wanvig has transformed, created, and expanded on what he learned from his mentors to create his unique personal transformation style and methods. This is not just about personal change, but true transformation that will impact your body, mind, and soul at its core. Paul used these methods to transform himself from living an empty, meaningless life--and having a life-threatening health situation--back to excellent health, excitement for life, and the passion to inspire others. He has proven that his efficient methods in making extensive positive changes with life and health really do work.With extensively specialized education, Paul has become an expert in ancient practices and modalities. For more than a decade, through his own extensive exploration and training in personal transformation and personal development, Paul discovered a unique combination of modern and ancient technologies that quiet the mind, heal the heart, transform the body, create abundance, and can change the quality of life on a daily basis.His trainings and online content have simplified and accelerated the personal development and transformation process for tens of thousands of Europeans. Some of his clients include top Norwegian CEOs, nurses, medical doctors, lawyers, physiotherapists, midwives, engineers, and even students and retirees.Given the realities of today's world, Beyond Positive Psychology takes the best of modern and ancient scientific practices, medicine, technology, and philosophy to create objective, measurable results for your own personal transformation.~ ~ ~Paul E. Wanvig is a well-known Neoteric Shaman, entrepreneur, journalist, speaker, spiritual thought leader, and personal transformation expert throughout Europe. As a graduate of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Paul holds a master's degree in computer technology with an emphasis in telecommunication and technical cybernetics. He has helped thousands of Europeans find success with his personal development and transformation training. As a journalist, Paul has been creating original content for the past 10 years for Medium Magazine, a leading holistic health magazine in Norway. His specialty topics include the following: lifestyle, health, diet, positive psychology, personal development, and spirituality. He currently lives in Germany with his wife. Today, Paul spends leisure time digging in the garden, repairing his 220-year-old house made out of oak and clay (always something to care for), going for rides and tours with his wife and dogs on their three-wheel recumbent bicycles, and walking while contemplating life's meaning in the beautiful Teutoburger Wald forest in Central Germany.

Instructors - Electronic inspection copies are available or contact your local sales representative for an inspection copy of the print version. “If you think you know what positive psychology is, think again! This book offers a new integrative vision for making life better that takes in the body and the brain, culture and society, childhood and development... A must read for students.” - Stephen Joseph, University of Nottingham "Captures the best of the positive psychology initiative, and most importantly, translates it to practice. The authors bring remarkable depth and breadth to the subject matter and do so in a way that is fresh, engaging, relevant, and unusually thoughtful." - Carol Ryff, University of Wisconsin-Madison "If you want to understand what positive psychology really is, learn how it works in practice and discover its huge potential to transform our lives and our world then look no further than this superb book. I really can't recommend it highly enough." - Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness This exciting new textbook, written by leading academics in the UK, offers the very first authored title on applied positive psychology for university courses. Consisting of the latest cutting-edge theory and research in the subject and structured around a pioneering multidimensional model of wellbeing, this book will provide you with the knowledge and tools to apply positive psychology in many areas of life. These include interventions aimed at developing mental and physical functioning, to recommendations for enhancing relationships and reshaping organisational structures. The book shows how these practices can be successfully deployed in diverse real-world settings, from the classroom to the workplace. Key features include: Learning objectives set out at the start of each chapter Practice essay questions throughout and quizzes to test your knowledge at the end of each chapter Useful measurement tools and recommendations for research Summary boxes and suggested further reading and resources Case studies and ‘Reflection’ boxes that invite you to explore topics in greater depth and relate findings to your everyday life. This book will be essential reading for all students with an interest in or studying a course in applied positive psychology, and is strongly recommended to students taking a wider course in positive psychology and the psychology of happiness and wellbeing.