Let's learn how we can tell the difference between positive and negative vulnerability, release all blame for feeling vulnerability and shame  - and get back into the drivers seat of our well-being, taking one huge step towards wholehearted living!

• how we protect ourselves - the barriers we put in place
• Three part model of vulnerability, challenges and resources & how this increases our bounce-back factor, our engagement in wholehearted living and reduces the need to dare greatly to do so!

We now know our brains are not fixed - we can change - and so all those fixed views of how “I am this or I am that” can be left behind as you get into the driver's seat of your own wholehearted life. Time to get excited!

Set your intention for the Neuroscience of Vulnerability course & find a quiet, attractive, comfortable, welcoming place to participate in the course where you will not be interrupted - somewhere you want to be, that will support you in healing vulnerability and living wholeheartedly

audio set to calming photos of find your safe place

We have discussed already that the stress response is an evolutionary hangover. We needed it  when we were to get away from predators. But today it is set off when we're worried, frustrated, irritated, or hurt, even mildly . . . like when we are concerned about money, stuck in traffic, juggling emails, or in a conflict with someone.

The stress response has serious long-term costs for physical and mental health. A key antidote is what's called the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms down the fight-or-flight sympathetic nervous system and related hormones that drive the stress response. This exercise activates the relaxation response faster than anything else I know.

Rumination is the "compulsively focused attention on the symptoms of one's distress, and on its possible causes and consequences, as opposed to its solutions"  Rick Hanson calls it "doing laps around hell". It's often a focus on the past and what went wrong. Rumination is the habit of going over and over past hurts and on their possible causes and consequences, as opposed to possible solutions. We often think it will lead to useful insight so we let it run on and on - but it lowers our energy and mood, often leads to depression and is like a deep hole that is hard to get out of. But we can get out of it. Find out how.

Self Criticism and its’ antidote - Self Compassion as the power of delivering the transformation sense of being enough rather than getting stuck in scarcity. It soothes shame and guilt by enveloping it in loving kindness - but how do we change our negative habit of self criticism into the release of self compassion? Find out here.

Self consciousness is more than the natural difference between extroversion and introversion. Find out more about how this mental habit of negative vulnerability can derail you from embracing wholehearted living  -  and find out more about its antidote

Defining Mindfulness - what we know - include harvard study 47% of time distracted and unhappier as a result “a wandering mind is an unhappy mind” how can we live wholeheartedly if we are not even present for 47% of our lives?? 

Research based benefits of mindfulness  and how it acts as the antidote for negative vulnerability AND builds the strength that makes wholehearted living more possible.

Click on the link to read  funny little blog I wrote for Huffington Post exposing the myth and the consequences of multi-tasking (the OPPOSITE of mindfulness)

Defining Self Compassion and how it acts as the antidote for negative vulnerability AND builds the strength that makes wholehearted living more possible

Make the links between self compassion, vulnerability and wholehearted living come to life in an example from your own life

Guided self compassion practice number 1 - feel the difference between a kind internal voice and a harsh internal voice - which do you think supports healed vulnerability and wholehearted living and happiness?

Guided self compassion practice number 2 

What's the difference between positivity and “positive thinking”? Hear Barbara Fredrickson's explanation and also the neuroscientific evidence of how our brain experiences both. 

Discover the hidden power of everyday moments to transform you from Surviving to Thriving

Start bringing it all together and see more clearly how these powerful antidotes for negative vulnerability combine as transformative resources for wholehearted living

gratitude

Research based benefits of generosity - what we know

Hear the Happiest Man in the World describe the antidote that heals negative vulnerability and Self Consciousness and find out how you can boost your resources for wholehearted and authentic living

Guided compassion practice inspired by the work of Dr Richard Davidson

Guided generosity practice number 2 - do a guided practice and link to resource of ideas - invite to share helping behaviour on the discussion board

Where do play, laughter and rest fit with vulnerability and wholehearted living? Tune in and find out more

You are going to LOVE this one! What a fun way to make wholehearted living real!

Here is a great free tool to take you a long way further towards appreciating yourself - something we are not always good at!  Since one psychological construct of depression lies in low self-worth, appreciating who we are, the values we stand for, and the strengths and passions that define us, is crucial for a sense of aliveness.  It's interesting too!

Not only that, but building these into your daily life brings a greater sense of purpose - and purpose in life predicts better emotional recovery from negative stuff in life - that means it builds resilience!

What is the connection between creativity and vulnerability? Creativity is an uplifting expression of wholehearted living. How can we resource ourselves to be as creative as we possibly can? 

Some final reflections on vulnerability and the experience of wholehearted living

Coupons and links to other resources