Pathological Positivity: The Proven Positivity Formula For: Personal Development, Parenting, Relationships

by Paul H. Jenkins, Thomas Cantrell (Editor)

You’ve heard the question a hundred “Is the glass half empty or half full?” If we are in negativity mode we see the glass as half empty. Anyone can see it’s half empty. When we are feeling negative, we focus on what is missing and lament the lack of water in the glass. When we are feeling more positive, we see the glass as half full. Of course it is half full. Anyone can see that. We focus on what we desire, and celebrate the presence of water. Then there are those who see it as completely full – all the time. These seemingly crazy people are not just positive; they are what this psychologist calls pathologically positive. Pathological Positivity is an empowering mental supernormality that lifts us above the normal perception of “reality.” It is a higher level of thinking. We see the glass, and our lives, as completely full – even in the toughest situations. How is that possible? How can we see the glass as completely full? Must we make up facts to justify our theory – our pathologically positive position? Do we pretend there is more water? Not at all. We notice and pay attention to what really is – and simply accept the truth. The glass is indeed filled half way with water. It is filled the rest of the way with something just as valuable, and even more immediately necessary to life, than water. In truth, the glass is completely full. The glass is half full of water and filled the rest of the way and to overflowing with precious air. What if it is lying on its side? What if it is shattered in a thousand pieces? How can it then possibly be full? Because the glass does not contain the air, it is immersed in it. In the same way, our lives are not only filled with opportunity, we are immersed in such an abundance of opportunity and resources that we cannot contain it. Normally, we don’t notice the air in the glass – or even around us – because we are used to it. Air is the most immediately important and most abundant life giving substance on earth. We are completely immersed in it. We’ve never been without it. We certainly would notice if it was missing. How do we feel when the people around us habitually react to challenges with negativity? Conversely, how do we feel when their reaction to difficult situations is instinctively positive? Difficult challenges, even painful disasters, are viewed as opportunities for invention, creation, innovation, and positive change. Energy replaces apathy. Focus replaces fear. Determination replaces doubt. Truth replaces tradition. Productivity replaces lethargy. We are all after one The Feeling. The Feeling that life is good. The Feeling that life is great. That life is perfect. This is our quest. All theories, philosophies, policies, practices and tools are roads which are intended to lead us to that Rome – to feel good, better, great. Success is accomplished through an accurate understanding and application of what brings us The Feeling. Failure is accomplished through an erroneous understanding and application of what brings us The Feeling. Our objective in life is to achieve or acquire The Feeling. Pathological Positivity is the process for acquiring The Feeling. It always works! Pathological? Doesn’t “pathological” mean insane? In psychological lingo, “pathological” generally means crazy or disordered – disconnected from reality. It can also mean compulsively driven, as in “pathological liar.” A pathological liar says things everyone knows cannot possibly be true – and he should know it too! With Pathological Positivity, we doggedly insist on a way of thinking that brings The Feeling regardless of our circumstances. We live on purpose through the powerful science of Pathological Positivity, regardless of how crazy it might seem. Phenomenal prosperity is, indeed, the predictable product of Pathological Positivity.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Anna Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I would suggest reading this with a highlighter. Wish I would have. I will be reading it again! With a highlighter.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because Elizabeth Smart mentions it in her latest book. It's clear that Smart and Jenkins must know each other. They both do public speaking, live in Utah, and are LDS. They also mention several of the same people and their stories in their books. I prefer Smart's book.

What I like: The author gives credit to many other writers and positive thinkers. He admits that he loves sharing other people's ideas. This book is full of them. In fact, there are maybe two or three ideas that are new to me. My guess is I would know them already had I read all the authors he mentions. I put several books he mentions on my to-read list. The ideas are good, seem true, and seem potentially helpful. His intentions are probably pure. He's probably a really good guy. I don't prefer his style or what I'm assuming is his personality, but he has some good and important things to say.

What I don't like: His writing style.

Nearly every time he uses the phrase "pathological positivity" it's capitalized and italicized. That is annoying and distracting. In fact, there are way too many italics in this book. The funniest one was when he italicizes part of a quote and then writes in parenthesis "emphasis added." No duh. Lots of emphasis going on in this book. It's very unnecessary and trips up the reading process. One of the other phrases that is in repeatedly capitalized italics is "The Feeling." Apparently, we all want it. It's at the root of every motivation. Maybe he uses such a general phrase because everyone's preferred "feeling" might be different? It just bothers me.

He also repeatedly insults my intelligence by explaining some things too much. For instance, he mentions GPS but has to put in parenthesis (Global Positioning System). Seriously? Is that in case great grandma is reading the book? This book was published in 2014, so it's not like GPS is a new thing. There are other instances where he over explains. Obviously nobody told him that it's better to assume your audience is intelligent.

Other things that bother me are probably more related to my perception of the author's personality than anything. I hesitate to be rude, but these things are a definite obstacle for me in reading the book. First, I didn't like his frequent attempts at humor. They come across as dad jokes. Not funny. Also, at the beginning of every chapter there is a quote, which is fine, but what is not fine are the chapters where he quotes himself and then credits the quote with "Paul H. Jenkins, Ph.D." Is he trying to give the quote weight and validity? Why does it even have to be in quotes if it's his book. I just don't know why that's necessary. It's his book, his words, the cover says he's a Ph.D., which is appropriate, so why does he have to give himself repeated inter-book bylines? It comes across as arrogant. Like I said, these are just style issues that tripped me up while reading.

It looks like this book is self published. That would explain a lot of these writing issues.

I've been reading a lot of self-help books lately. Some have really resonated with me and filled my mind and heart with truth. Perhaps if I'd only read this book then I would have gotten more out of it and liked it more. Maybe.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently started following Dr. Jenkins on YouTube and then became a member of Live on Purpose. I figured I’d get the book before starting his courses just to get a foundation on his style and teachings.

I felt the book was pretty good. Dr. Jenkins gives some really cheesy examples and some dad jokes, but it was practical. Maybe some chapters could have been condensed, but it wasn’t a bad read. Some favorites are his explanation of noxious negativity and how he includes personal responsibility, attitude, etc. He often quotes Frankl, who I literally read right before this not even realizing it. So many parallels and it was helpful to have modern examples of what Frankl discussed. I also liked the prescription he added at the end which I feel folks can easily apply.

Some things that bothered me (I can’t figure out why) is the constant use of pathological positivity in italics lol and other made up words like “proopportunity.” Other than that, really happy that I read it.

I definitely recommend this book.

[Ben Lobaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The author starts off with an impactful story, and then presents solid evidence on how positivity moves you forward and negativity stops you in your tracks. Jenkins not only presents the topic, but also provides real life usable steps anyone can follow to become pathologically positive themselves.

[Charity Blaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and the many lessons I am learning. I am becoming a more positive person and I love the way I feel.

[Chukwudike C-Madù · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that will definitely change your mindset on how to handle challenges and opportunities in life! The glass is neither half empty nor half full ....it is totally full!

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a big reader of self-help books, in fact I belong to a book club where we specifically don't allow self-help books as choices for the month. I did read this because I know Dr. Paul and having read this book, I have to say the concepts and calls to action are practical, easy to read and through a plethora of examples, easy to understand. Basically, we all have challenges, and we all decide if those challenges will define our thoughts, actions and beliefs in a negative or positive way. Dr. Paul asks us to see possibilities and not only imagining a better outcome, but work for it.

Dr. Paul has a passion to help people through decades of counseling children, teens, adults, troubled marriages and life-coaching he has seen plenty of challenges. Dr. Paul truly loves people and is a happy person himself. Take his prescription and start anew each day to see if you can challenge your perceptions and be happy in the moment.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have such a hard time giving ratings on self-help books. While many have useful information and ideas, which this one most definitely does, I tend to withhold my five star ratings for books that really grab you emotionally. That said this is one of the better self-help books I have read. The ideas are not overly complicated, though they are not promised to be easy walk in the park actions to carry out. It did change my perspective on many things. Since reading I have found I pay far more attention to what I think and say. I'm attempting to be more positive in what I portray to others and myself as well.

I do have to say the first couple of pages are probably the best written I have ever read in this genre. One of the few times a book of this nature has taken me to a different place in my mind. I dare say Dr. Paul could try his hand at writing a little fiction if he wanted to.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice for someone that is naturally a noxiously negative person.