What is a Positician?

"Positicians look for the positive in every situation,
and strive to uncover the hidden good."

How does the Positician philosophy differ from positive thinking?

Positive thinking is a wonderful attitude, a great filter through which to view life. But sometimes life deals us some discouraging circumstances. At the point where pain has already set in, “positive thinking” can become an outward veil of denial, which inadvertently shames the sufferer for their inability to “keep their chin up.” The predominant side effect is that authentic pain, frustration and fear are not honored, acknowledged, or vented, leading to deeper isolation.

On the contrary, the Positician philosophy gives everyone the opportunity to tell their whole story. In a Positician coaching session, you are encouraged to discuss the reality, intensity, and discomfort of your feelings. This uninterrupted flow of thoughts frees you to express yourself without judgment, often seeing the full scope of the issue – and its possible resolutions – for the first time. The Positician's role is to listen with compassion, what we call Hospitality of the Heart, and look for a seed of goodness within your story that may be hidden from view.

What services are offered through the Positician Training Institute?

Positician Coaching sessions – A qualified Positician Coach listens to you in the manner outlined in training: validating your story and guiding you to your own best solutions.
Positician Training – (Level One and Level Two) Learn to focus on the positive in your own life, and use this skill when relating to others in everyday situations. Become a better listener, friend, parent, spouse and coworker.
Positician Coach Training – This advanced training qualifies Positicians to teach Level One classes, and to coach others in a professional setting.

What is the Positician Vision?

We are determined to develop communities of trust where we share all our experiences, stand by each other, and grow together.

I’ve been accused of wearing rose-colored glasses. More than once I was told my enthusiasm “could sell ice to an Eskimo." I don't want to sell ice to an Eskimo! I want to sell joy, passion, comfort, Life! — I want to show you other points of view so you can decide how you want to see things. It may change the degree on your compass – slightly or drastically... or maybe not at all. But I want you to have a choice of what color shades you're wearing.

I invite you to experience the full spectrum of Life, the full spectrum of being human. See the whole, then pick the part. Narrow your focus, but not your mind. Experience the magnitude of who you were created to be. Create choice, then choose.

Every situation, no matter how grim, can have a Silver Lining. We do have choices, but sometimes it takes an outsider to point that out. Positicians are trained to listen, point to the positive, and teach others to do the same.

Henri Nouwen, in his book The Wounded Healer, describes it best: "When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares."

The Positician culture is based on trust and empathy, where everyone's voice is heard, and pain is comforted. It's all in the way we speak and listen to one another, offering simple, priceless gestures of kindness. Always, everywhere. Treat everyone like they're wearing a sign that says, "Make me Feel Important." Build a win-win world.