I am a man who values his own space, partly maybe because I was born a twin. However, I am continually humbled by the realisation of a truth of development – that we develop through vital others.

At key points in my life, sometimes almost magically, someone has presented who is to play a vital role in my own development. Consider with me, what are the qualities of these special others through which we grow?

These are the ones who gift themselves in service of our growth. What does this mean?

There are many we may meet whose goal is to direct and tell us what they think the way forward is for ourselves. Their rightness and unequivocal certainty, imposes the forward: “I think you should do this or that?”.  Though telling may be vital when in times of urgency or crisis, who do we overlook when we follow the dictates of others?

Your developmental journey cannot be told or be known by another and so we require ‘special others’ who in their willingness to ‘not know’- that is to not direct or tell - we can explore and discover the way forward for ourselves. Rather than being told the answer we can instead learn through their insightful questions. These are the ones - who are willing to lose their own way – to consciously ‘not know’ when they think they know – so that we may find our own way.

This is a remarkable gift of humanity, when another is willing to be lost, that you in turn may be found – that we can borrow the eyes of certain others in whom we trust sufficiently to see and come to know more about ourselves.

What greater gift is there in today’s world – what greater act of service – to offer our full presence to another – so that the other can experience what it is to be fully seen and heard – to be fully attended. To be able to be oneself, without condition.

I have recently completed a little module of videos exploring the remarkable nature of self as an instrument. This looks at the nature of how we relate through discovering a group of essential and remarkable inner instruments and how you can enable the growth of others as well as yourself. Here’s an introductory short film that discusses this important developmental work, if you wish to look and explore more.

For now – I am left today with the sobering realisation of the difference of one – how one person, who is willing to gift their presence and attention to another can make a world of difference to if and how we develop.

The MAPP course is of interest to a wide range of individuals of all ages looking to learn more about positive self-development as well as professionals working in the fields of coaching, education, healthcare and therapy.

Whilst most degree courses teach the theory of the subject, positive psychology is different in that students are encouraged to explore topics by applying them to their daily lives. This provides them with a unique insight into what the theory looks like in practical terms when applied in the real world, in their own personal circumstances. It could be called learning from the inside out

Positive psychology is based upon evidence-based interventions which have been shown to ‘work well for most of the people, most of the time’ and MAPP students have ample opportunity to ‘try them on for size’. From the outset, they are able to develop new practical skills and knowledge that can improve their own lives at home, at work and in their relationships.

Positive psychology topics include the science of Hope, Resilience, Happiness, Wellbeing, Mindset, Flourishing, Positive Emotions, Gratitude and the Journey of Change, amongst many others and include Applied Research Skills and Positive Psychology in Practice.
More universities around the world are adding this degree course to their syllabus although there still are only a handful of MAPP courses available.  However, the provision of online learning makes the programme accessible to students worldwide. Applications can be accepted from people without a first degree if they have relevant work or life experience.

One of these universities, Buckinghamshire New University, UK, introduced the MAPP programme in 2012. An ‘Introduction to Positive Psychology’ online course, run by Dr Piers Worth (who created the original course) and Lesley Lyle (one of the first graduates) allows individuals to gain an overview of the course as well as entitling students to get a full 10% reduction off the total MAPP fees if they then enrol on the full course. Details HERE