Transformation: Turning tragedy into triumph
Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 9:00AM 
With special guest:
- Dr Tim Sharp
Our guest in this program is Dr Tim Sharp, also known as Dr Happy.
Tim has produced a new book Transformation: Turning tragedy into triumph and he joins us today to spread a little happiness. The book has eleven people making a contribution with a story about themselves or someone close to them. Some of the contributors’ stories are well-known while others tell of living a quiet life before they reached a turning point in their life story. Looking outside themselves brought surprising benefits not only to others but to the contributors as well.
There is great variety in the exploration of these personal and true stories. Tim Sharp edits the stories and adds professional reflections and recommendations after each chapter. Tim even adds his own story on how he became Dr Happy after facing his personal demons.
In each case there is a pivotal moment in time, something the Greeks call their Kairos moment when the contributors knew they had to do something different. In the words of one of the contributors, Sam Cawthorn, “these moments are so significant that they immediately fracture life, ripping it forever into two parts – everything before and everything after.”
After facing a major challenge to our physical health or wellbeing we might expect that the aim would be to get back to where you were before this event occurred. But as Tim Sharp tells us we can do better than that. We don’t just bounce back we should bounce forward as the people populating these stories have.
Listen in to this show to hear what it takes to be happy in your own life. You can be inspired and inspire others when you hear Dr Tim Sharp from The Happiness Institute.
Dr Tim Sharp
Dr Timothy Sharp has three degrees in psychology and an impressive record as an academic, clinician and coach. He is the founder and CHO (Chief Happiness Officer) of The Happiness Institute, Australia’s first and now largest organisation devoted solely to enhancing happiness in individuals, families and companies. He is currently an Adjunct Professor in Positive Psychology at UTS and RMIT University. In recent years he’s received a Future Leadership Award from the Australian Davos Connection and recognition from the Australia Day Council for his work promoting mental health and happiness. Dr Sharp is a well-regarded public speaker, and the author of numerous books including The Happiness Handbook.
Song selection by our guest: On the Borderline by Sally Seltmann