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The Power of Heart: When and How to Get Out of Your Brain
The secret to a good life is not what you think.
Most of us have been raised to believe that we can solve any problem if we think about it hard enough. We spend years honing our intellect, knowing that our brains are our best line of defense against whatever roadblocks life throws us. But each and every one of us has a secret weapon to call upon when brainpower isn’t enough, and that is Heart.
Amy Bloch discovered the power of heart quite by accident. An accomplished psychiatrist, fully in control of her professional and family life, Amy was dealt what she thought was a devastating, insurmountable set-back when her daughter Emily was born with a severe brain malformation. Amy tried desperately to “fix” Emily, and exhausted herself in her efforts to deal with the “problem” using her intellect, going at it brain-first―the default way we tend to approach challenges in our society. Emily, on the other hand, lives completely she simply doesn’t have the capabilities to approach life brain-first. Yet to Amy’s initial surprise―and ultimately, to her great admiration―Emily is remarkably happy and successful.
The Power of Heart is the distillation of what Emily taught Amy―lessons that are applicable to anyone’s life. Learning to be Emily’s mom and observing how Emily approaches life prompted a radical change in Amy’s life. It also transformed her work with patients in her professional practice, where she witnessed over and over again how getting out of brain and into heart made life deeper and richer, less stressful, and more meaningful. While the brain is amazing, powerful, and useful, it does come with limitations. There’s some stuff the brain just doesn’t know, which is where heart comes in. Tapping into heart helps your brain perform better, and makes you stronger and smarter than you will ever be trusting only your brain. Heart will allow you to live with uncertainty; find strength, resilience, courage, and persistence in tough times; cast off self-criticism and doubt, and have a lot more confidence and fun. The Power of Heart is for readers of all ages and walks of life who are ready to move beyond the brain-first strategy, and embrace heart as well.
Most of us have been raised to believe that we can solve any problem if we think about it hard enough. We spend years honing our intellect, knowing that our brains are our best line of defense against whatever roadblocks life throws us. But each and every one of us has a secret weapon to call upon when brainpower isn’t enough, and that is Heart.
Amy Bloch discovered the power of heart quite by accident. An accomplished psychiatrist, fully in control of her professional and family life, Amy was dealt what she thought was a devastating, insurmountable set-back when her daughter Emily was born with a severe brain malformation. Amy tried desperately to “fix” Emily, and exhausted herself in her efforts to deal with the “problem” using her intellect, going at it brain-first―the default way we tend to approach challenges in our society. Emily, on the other hand, lives completely she simply doesn’t have the capabilities to approach life brain-first. Yet to Amy’s initial surprise―and ultimately, to her great admiration―Emily is remarkably happy and successful.
The Power of Heart is the distillation of what Emily taught Amy―lessons that are applicable to anyone’s life. Learning to be Emily’s mom and observing how Emily approaches life prompted a radical change in Amy’s life. It also transformed her work with patients in her professional practice, where she witnessed over and over again how getting out of brain and into heart made life deeper and richer, less stressful, and more meaningful. While the brain is amazing, powerful, and useful, it does come with limitations. There’s some stuff the brain just doesn’t know, which is where heart comes in. Tapping into heart helps your brain perform better, and makes you stronger and smarter than you will ever be trusting only your brain. Heart will allow you to live with uncertainty; find strength, resilience, courage, and persistence in tough times; cast off self-criticism and doubt, and have a lot more confidence and fun. The Power of Heart is for readers of all ages and walks of life who are ready to move beyond the brain-first strategy, and embrace heart as well.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published November 5, 2019
14 people are currently reading
975 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 3, 2020
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways.
The title of this book really says it all. I entered this giveaway right after being told that it's likely my son has some sort of neurodivergence and I was feeling really helpless and hopeless. The premise--mom and psychiatrist who finds out her daughter has brain damage at birth and has difficulty coping, but cope she does!--really resonated with me, but I was blown away by how GOOD this is. It's well-written, it's simple, it's honest, and it really has good advice. It's a self-help book, I suppose, but it never feels hokey and it never preaches. Though the answers are simple, there is grace here--to fail, to need time, to learn, to grow, to succeed, to doubt--in short to be human and also to be in heart. I feel like this is honestly life advice to take with you and it really is universal. Highly recommend.
The title of this book really says it all. I entered this giveaway right after being told that it's likely my son has some sort of neurodivergence and I was feeling really helpless and hopeless. The premise--mom and psychiatrist who finds out her daughter has brain damage at birth and has difficulty coping, but cope she does!--really resonated with me, but I was blown away by how GOOD this is. It's well-written, it's simple, it's honest, and it really has good advice. It's a self-help book, I suppose, but it never feels hokey and it never preaches. Though the answers are simple, there is grace here--to fail, to need time, to learn, to grow, to succeed, to doubt--in short to be human and also to be in heart. I feel like this is honestly life advice to take with you and it really is universal. Highly recommend.
July 19, 2021
This book is amazing and truly brought me back to living in my heart instead of in my mind. It takes inspiration from the author's brain-damaged child on how to live in the heart and free yourself away from shoulds and judgements, to be your most authentic self, and to pursue your truths. In a society where the brain is highly valued, we sometimes forget that what is precious is to be able to look and experience the world through the lenses of a child.
January 12, 2020
A moving tribute to a daughter who lives life completely in heart, more so because she’s rather incapable of living in brain.
For the duration while reading, panels from the comic ‘The Awkward Yeti’ paraded through my mind (prime characters are Heart and Brain).
If you have a Buddhist practice, much of the advice will sound rather familiar.
Received as a goodreads ARC giveaway.
For the duration while reading, panels from the comic ‘The Awkward Yeti’ paraded through my mind (prime characters are Heart and Brain).
If you have a Buddhist practice, much of the advice will sound rather familiar.
Received as a goodreads ARC giveaway.
June 28, 2020
Excellent, perceptive book with many suggestions on how to get out of your head, and into your heart. She lists many brain 'tells', (mainly fear-based emotions), and she shares personal stories that go along with them. Then, she gives ideas for how to move into your heart, and live a love-centric existence.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
June 8, 2022
Enjoyed thinking about my daily life from a new perspective, am I constantly living in brain and not considering heart? Gives me a lot to think about and how I can make small daily changes to not sweat the small stuff and enjoy life more on a regular basis, leading with my heart even when brain wants to take over.
October 22, 2019
Irelly enjoyed this book. Very powerful messages to learn to cope with life challenges. Excellent quick read with solid heartfelt tidies of those that have risen above life’s challenges by putting heart first. Highly recommend this book. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
June 1, 2020
I really liked this book. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator kept me engaged. This is a book for everyone, especially in today’s topsy-turvy world. The content felt a little preachy at times, but the message is clear.
October 17, 2019
Excellent book!!!
February 1, 2020
It was a good read.
March 26, 2020
Yes. Just all of this- yes!
Read
June 20, 2022A great book. I understand how to use the power of heart now!
Want to read
November 11, 2019Thank you for the opportunity to review this book as a giveaway recipient. I am excited to read it and will update my thoughts on this book soon!
September 27, 2023
I am a huge fan of Dr Blochs own ability to transcend difficulty and her ability and willingness to give so freely of her experience to help others. I loved this book. Many psychiatrists for whatever reason come off as distant and detached (perhaps for their own self protection). I can certainly understand why this would happen. Dealing daily with a population of depressed or mentally I’ll people can be challenging if not grueling. Dr Bloch has a special brand of empathy and generosity of spirit. If you are dealing of trauma of any sort I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews