“

Fathers and teachers, I ponder, “What is hell?” I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love. 

” - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

   Social networks: social identity & the importance of both formal & informal groups (what can we do?)

key points: 

the social identity model highlights the value of group membership (more & less formal) for both psychological & physical wellbeing - are there groups you would like to join (or initiate) and are there helpful ways you can increase the sense of the importance to you of some of the groups you're a member of (for example by increasing your involvement with them).

“

Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.

” - Henry Ford

                       Social networks: Dunbar's 5-15-50-150 model (assessing how we're doing)

key points: 

1.)  Please would you download a personal community map (see below) and begin to fill it in. 

2.)  While filling in the map and afterwards, answer the items on the associated questionnaire ... and start to jot down possible intentions too.

“ The body is only as open as the heart; and the heart only as open as wisdom allows. ” - Anonymous

               Social networks: Dunbar's 5-15-50-150 model (sympathy group & full active network)

key point: 

“

Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself at all.

” - William Temple

                         Social networks: Dunbar's 5-15-50-150 model (support clique/closest relationships)

key point: 

In this first part of three on Dunbar's 5-15-50-150 personal social network model, I introduce the crucially important inner layer - the 'support clique' of closest relationships.

“ Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men. ” - Confucius

Social networks: social identity & the importance of both formal & informal group memberships (background)

key point: 

The intriguing additional value of understanding social networks through a social identity lens is highlighted and a wealth of emerging research validating the importance of this approach is introduced.

“ To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe. ” - Marilyn Vos Savant

                                                                Social networks: an introduction

key points: 

1.)  emerging research is introduced that highlights the great importance of personal social networks for disease prevention, psychological resilience & optimal wellbeing. 

2.)  links are provided to three ways of taking this forward - self-determination theory, social identity theory, and Dunbar's 5-15-50-150 model.

“

Friendship is the single most important factor influencing our health, well-being, and happiness.

” - Robin Dunbar

                                          Social networks: the value of a self-determination theory lens

key points: 

1.)  I introduce self-determination theory (S-DT) - a serious contender for my favourite approach to understanding how best to build wellbeing. 

These home practice suggestions link with the seventh session of the Compassion, wisdom & wellbeing training.  There are seven home practice requests for the fortnight until our 8th & last evening together.  

“ Better keep yourself clean and bright. You are the window through which you must see the world. ” - George Bernard Shaw

“

Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked.

” - Warren Buffet

This section contains chapters on Couples, Families, Social Networks, and Mentors, Coaches & Therapists.