1. Life Lesson 9: How do I overcome adversity? Use the ABCDE Strategy to build resilience. © Paul T. P. Wong

2. Part A: A tragic but positive sense of life

3. Part A: Your attitude determines the outcome.

4. Part A: Look at everything with a meaning-mindset

5. Part B: The ABCDE Strategy This lesson focuses on the practices and skills of meaning-centered interventions It will compare cognitive-oriented Rational-Emotive-Behavioral therapy with existential-oriented meaning therapy

6. Meaning-Centered Approach to coping with tragedy & trauma The cognitive-based ABCDE strategy is primarily concerned with dysfunctional beliefs & thoughts The meaning-centered ABCDE strategy is primarily concerned with existential crisis and the reality of pain and suffering. Meaning Therapy focuses on both cognitive meaning & existential meaning

7. Suffering triggers the quest for meaning

8. The cognitively-based ABCDE strategy Albert Ellis’s Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) focuses on irrational thinking & cognitive meaning. REBT is the most influential form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) ABCDE is designed to dispute a dysfunctional belief and replace it with a more effective and rational belief

9. Albert Ellis’s Rational-Emotive-Behavior Therapy

10. Examples of irrational beliefs according to Albert Ellis: Catastrophing, Musturbating, Awfullizing…

11. The Meaning-Centered ABCDE Intervention Accept and confront reality – the reality principle Believe that life is worth living – the faith principle Commit to goals and actions – the action principle Discover the meaning and significance of self and situations – the Aha! Principle Evaluate the above – the self-regulation principle

12. A Accept the reality B Believe in possibilities C Commit to achievable goals (PURE) D Discover new resources & solutions E Evaluate & enjoy the progress From real problem to personal growth… © Paul T. P. Wong

13. Lesson 1: The power of acceptance

14. To fully understand and utilize the power of acceptance is to be free from all worries and anxieties.

16. Denial is an obstacle to positive change

17. Self-deception can be harmful

18. One big challenge is to accept yourself

19. Another challenge is to let go

20. Practicing acceptance without judging leads to inner peace & interpersonal harmony.

22. A Fundamental Dilemma: Acceptance or Change

23. Lesson 2: The power of belief

25. Faith helps re-author our life story

26. Lesson 3: Commitment is the key to success Commitment entails action, engagement, & persistence.

27. Commitment = passion + action + persistence

28. Commitment involves goal setting No matter how restrictive and oppressive the circumstances, you can still set some realistic goals. You need to goal- setting each day in order to keep hope alive and maintain your sanity.

29. Commitment till completion Moving forward and carrying out one’s responsibility with determination. Doing what needs to be done regardless of feelings or circumstances. Enduring hardship and pain for the cause. Avoiding errors and temptations. Practicing the PURE principle. Pursuing your mission with a clear sense of purpose

30. Commitment also includes a higher purpose & larger vision

31. Pursue a PURPOSE or goal Seek to UNDERSTAND the self & situation Take RESPONSIBILITY ENJOY the process and the journey A Meaningful & Fulfilling Life PURE: The Four Treasures of Life © Paul T. P. Wong

32. It takes commitment and courage to overcome obstacles and reach the mountain top.

33. Lesson 4: The Journey of Discovery

34. The joy of self-discovery Learning something new about the self and life. Digging deeper, exploring further, and searching higher. Discovering one’s hidden talents and strength. Discovering the power of faith and spiritual resources. Grasping the complexities of life and people.

35. Lesson 5: Enjoyment or Evaluation Savoring small successes and re-assessing one’s progress. Feeling relief that the worse is over. Monitoring progress. Savoring the moments of small success. Reflecting and reviewing one’s life. Receiving feedback from others. Conducting assessments and making adjustments.

36. Conclusions

37. The capacity for meaning-making can transform everything from negative to positive

38. Growing stronger through struggle

39. Adversity provides a better foundation for life than prosperity

40. Questions & Exercises for Lesson 9: 1.What is the main difference between Ellis's REBT and Wong's Meaning Therapy? 2.Can you think of a personal problem for which Meaning Therapy may be more helpful to you than REBT? 3.Can you think of a personal experience in which acceptance enabled you to move forward? 4.What sorts of beliefs enable you to maintain your hope in desperate situations?

41. Questions & Exercises for Lesson 9: 5.What is your most immediate goal? Is it related to your larger or higher life purpose? 6.Can you think of a situation in which you discovered something new about yourself through a painful experience? 7.Try to apply the Meaning Centred ABCDE model to a personal predicament.