Psychology with a Sparkle

Prologue : It is said that change happens when the fear of remaining tight in a bud is more painful than the risk it takes to blossom. This book has taken physical form based on years of researching, studying, listening, observing, reading, practicing, reflecting, evaluating and re-evaluating all things Psychology, Human Consciousness, and Personal Development related. The content has been variously influenced by a smorgasbord of insightful thought leaders who have captured my imagination over the years, including psychologists, writers, artists, activists, entrepreneurs, fashion designers, leaders, poets, medical doctors, healers, psychics, mystics, spiritual warriors, athletes, musicians, actors, comedians, family, friends, followers, and not least of all my amazing clients. My hope in writing this book, is to inspire and assist the everyday person with everyday life, fostering hope and encouragement to break free from fears and limited belief systems, which unduly harass and halt human development toward becoming one’s brightest and best. Introduction: Recent years have observed a definite paradigm shift in global consciousness, with corresponding changes in the evolving human landscape. People are reflecting more, evaluating more, questioning more, expressing more and opening their hearts and minds to a broader kind of holistic intelligence. Antiquated thoughts and belief systems which focus singularly on pharmacological solutions are being stress tested for proof of functional validity and reliability. People are looking beyond the limited lens of disease and the hierarchical power structures which have supported this paradigm, as they look for greater accountability and integrity from professionals and authorities alike. A new age of co-authorship, compassion, co-production, transparency, authenticity and regeneration is emerging, and I’m excited to be part of this luminary new wave. Psychology with a Sparkle is a contemporary summary of thoughts, ideas, insights, and reflections, many of which regularly present for people both inside and outside of formal psychological therapy. An informal, non-academic style make this pocket book of sparkle accessible to everyone, offering a light hearted journey of professional insights and suggestions coupled with personal reflections, anecdotes and tips for transforming the seemingly fixed and immovable, to expansive rainbow bright. Intention: I believe our ability to assist and connect with people from all walks of life in an informed, meaningful way, is only as good as our willingness to acknowledge our shared humanity, suffering, and ongoing areas for continued development. Our ability to communicate this in a relatable, non-elitist manner also more readily captures the imagination and attention of a diverse population and to this end, I have incorporated key examples from my personal and professional life to highlight particular areas and life lessons from which I have struggled, learned and overcome, and continue to evolve each day. This is to illustrate that although professionally trained in the scientific study of human behaviour, this does not preclude Psychologists or any other, from being faced with the inevitable peaks, struggles, flat lines and life lessons faced by all. Our individual and collective psychology impacts everything – from how we respond to the perceived sublime to the seemingly shameful. How we think, how we feel, how we behave, and ultimately how we respond to life have roots in how we experienced the world as children; our environment, our trauma related histories, and our then available support and social systems. Together, these have an impressive bearing on how we show up in the world as adults. Rather than blame shifting, if we instead take personal responsibility and examine our adopted maladaptive thinking, behaviour and coping patterns, we better equip and empower ourselves to change and become as we would wish. This has the ultimate domino effect, of inspiring others to do the same. Welcome to Psychology with a Sparkle!