Summary
A review of the first in a series of 5 training days, 5 Keys to Flourishing: Key 1, Helping Others. This series is based on the work of Professor Corey Keyes. David Brown and Vanda Selby facilitated this training, exploring how helping others for the benefit of ourselves and our clients. The day received highly positive feedback.
Review: ‘Five Keys to Flourishing’ series
Key 1: Helping Others
Facilitated by David Brown and Vanda Selby
Jacqueline Holloway reviews the HACP training day, 5 Keys to Flourishing: Key 1: Helping Others, that took place in Chandlers Ford on 15 March 2025.
David explained the teachings shared today would be underpinned by the ‘evidence-based work’ of Prof. Corey Keyes, in his book entitled ‘Languishing.’ We were asked to sense within ourselves whether we felt we were languishing or flourishing, which drew a mixture of answers from some who felt they might be and others not, which was an interesting start to our day of reflection. This was certainly an important exercise because if we cannot reach this within ourselves how can we help our clients to do so.
The key word ‘flourishing’ was important especially if we felt we were not doing so – some recognised this in themselves. Corey Keyes listed ‘helping others’ as a key to flourishing, which encouraged thoughts of how to support our clients, and ourselves, in the much-needed art of helping others – genuinely and generously. It was important to master this even in a small way.
Vanda and David are excellent trainers, whose co-presenting was so collaborative, which fanned out to the whole group in such an inclusive way and the day passed quite quickly as each element of the training was shared. What struck me was how much David and Vanda were sensitive, empathic mirrors into the world of ‘flourishing, languishing and helping.’
In order for us to aid others sensitively to meet the needs of Key 1, David asked us to think about clients who are unaware of any gifts they have in this area of personal growth and whether they can see abundance in their lives. For them to identify who they would seek out for support and inspiration on their journey to flourishing? How could we help them create useful, succinct goals which would be achievable with some focused effort and understanding.
Questions were explored verbally and creatively and we each painted a small piece of art to illustrate our inner thoughts. We shared our work with each other, David and Vanda, who offered sensitive and useful feedback. We were surprised at the depth of our creativity and its powerful illustration of our internal lives. In his flyer for the day, David, invited us to join him for a stimulating and uplifting day – enjoyable and useful. It was certainly all of those elements – thank you David and Vanda for making it so.
We are now looking forward to exploring Key Two, Spirituality, of a series of 5, on Saturday, 31st May 2025 same time and venue. To book/pay for a place, either email Zana, HACP’s Administrator, at info@hacp.co.uk or go to www.hacp.co.uk.
Keyes, Dr. Corey: 2024 ‘Languishing – How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down.’ Penguin Random House UK.