I use the term "Thriver" two different ways. First, I use it in referring to those who naturally thrive. Perhaps it is innate, biological, or learned skill. But this is someone who has never made it a study to learn to thrive (that would be a Thrivealist, someone who develops the skills of thriving). So, my dear grandmother, who at 95 tells me every year that "this is the best year ever." She is a thriver, always has been, and she did not go seeking a lesson in thriving. This is rare.

I also use the term to describe someone I see in life who is thriving, but whom I don't know whether they have made an effort to become a thriver or not. In other words, when I see a news story about someone thriving, I can tell you they are a thriver, but not whether this was a conscious choice or not. It becomes a generic, albeit important, term.

So, we will be looking at those who thrive in this blog. These are people who have taken adversity and used it to propel themselves forward, into a more expanded life.

Know of a Thriver? Tell me, and we will look at a profile.

Labels: adversity, growth, resilience, thriveology, thriving

You may be asking, "What is Thriveology?" Simply put, this is a term I am using to describe the art and science (and the study of) thriving.

In my opinion, the majority of people are basically managing life, just getting by. This is "survival mode." In that mode, you keep your head down, try to avoid too much struggle or conflict, and hope problems will pass. (They don't!)

Some people ascribe to the idea of being resilient. I did. This is the idea that when something tough or bad happens, you "bounce back." In other words, you get to the point where you are functioning as well as you were before the problem. If you are sick, for instance, when you get better you return to your normal routine.

Then there are those few who actually use crisis, conflict, and difficulties to move ahead of where they were. Or even without a crisis, these people work to live life to the fullest level possible! They are after optimal living. These people, I refer to as Thrivers. Something naturally within them keeps them in thriving mode.

Those who do not naturally have these attributes can still learn them. We all can become students of the skills of thriving. When we take that on, we are what I refer to as Thrivealists!

You probably know about Survivalists, those who are convinced that something bad is going to happen, so they had better be prepared. Well, a Thrivealist nurtures a different belief. Thrivealists have a sneaking suspicion that things are going to work out alright.

That brings us to this blog. Here, we will examine the traits of those who thrive. We will become Thrivealists by studying Thriveology! Can you think of a better tool for living?

By the way, if you know of people who thrive, let me know. I will be adding profiles of thrivers as often as possible.

Labels: better living, optimal living, resilience, self-help, thriveology, thriving