Learned Hopefulness: A Call to Action

Posted byHanging on to HopePosted inHanging on to HOPE - from Acknowledgement to Action

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What do you think? The material on the “very well mind” website has been very helpful to me in understanding that what I am experiencing is “sadness” and is a normal reaction and response. But how about when things turn away from sadness and start heading in the direction of depression. Luckily there is plenty of hope and help to be found…especially in a concept referred to as “Learned Hopefulness.”

A very important takeaway from this Ted Talk by Daniel Tomasulo is his statement that “Hope is the only positive emotion that requires negativity or uncertainty to be activated. Emotions like gratitude or joy or any of the other positive emotions do not need something wrong or uncertain in order to transform them.  Hope is unique in that regard.”

If you are still wondering who this individual by the name of Daniel Tomasulo is, here is a bit more about him:

After reading some of Dan Tomasulo’s work, I’m sure you will agree that Learned Hopefulness is a call to action for all of us …..not just for those individuals who are suffering from depression.

If you are looking for more information related to Learned Hopefulness, here are some other helpful articles to read and review:

Other helpful articles and books to read and review:

  • “How Learned Hopefulness Can Change Your Client’s Life”

How Learned Hopefulness Can Change Your Client’s Life (positivepsychology.com)

  • Empower Your Gratitude: Overcome Your Scarcity Mindset and Build Limitless Abundance with the Joy of Living and the Power of Giving By Scott Allan
  • John O’Leary. (2016). On Fire:  The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life.  North Star Way / Simon and Schuster. New York, NY.

Additional Resources dealing with Depression

Depression – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (nih.gov)

Updates for June, 2024

Updates for June, 2024 have been included on the following “Hanging on to Hope” web pages:

  • Punchlines – Please note that our Cartoon Characters have decided to take the summer off, but will be returning in the fall. However, you will want to check out the “Hope Matters” and “Uplifting Expressions” sections. The material there is enlightening.
  • Resources – these pages will continue to be updated throughout the summer.
  • Keys to Resilience – these pages will continue to be updated throughout the summer.

Have a wonderful Summer !!!

Published by Hanging on to Hope

Gregory Charles Reynolds has been on a spiritual quest for most of his life. As a student at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, he studied religion, philosophy, and art. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamline in 1971 and has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. After a rewarding 32-year career working in the Finance and Education and Training organizations within 3M Company, he retired in 2007. In 2016, he came out of retirement to work for a non-profit organization and subsequently "retired" a second time in 2020. Gregory is no stranger to adversity and the struggle we each face to not only survive, but attempt to thrive under adverse conditions and circumstances. Recovering from a heart attack in 2008, he found renewed strength, support and belief in the power of an awesome God. He could not have done this alone, and is extremely grateful to family members and friends who guided him through a difficult time. Having witnessed the effects of illnesses and diseases like cancer on close friends and family members, he is constantly reminded that adversity impacts not only the patient or victim, but also those who care about the health and wellbeing of others. Believing that adversity in all our lives is not optional, Greg has continued his quest to find meaning and purpose in life and has established this website and blog to create hope in the future for all of us.

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