Resources
At various points in the book, Claire refer to photographs, images and other resources that will supplement your enjoyment of the book.
You will find most of them here:
The From Wallflower to Sunflower Pinterest Page
Visit this page for numerous inspiring images and quotes, or for when the going gets tough: From Wallflower to Sunflower
Chapter 2
Wallflowers are Survivors
See these photographs taken whilst Claire was out on a walk, of a wallflower happily growing on the top of a three foot wall. Somehow the wallflower has grown through the cracks of this old stone wall and emerged on the top. There are few plants that could achieve this level of resilience. This exemplifies the extraordinary capacity of the wallflower to survive and to flourish. This same capacity lives in you.
Another reader of the book, interpreted the word wallflower is a completely different way. A wallflower that is on the wall i.e. wallpaper. This is of course how many wallflowers feel? As if they are part of the wall. Not seen. They are static, having no life – like wallpaper. Attractive maybe to look at but not really there.
http://www.lushome.com
Interesting facts About Sunflowers
When I chose the sunflower as a metaphor for the quality of confidence that I believed was possible for wallflowers to achieve, I had no idea how appropriate it was. The more I explored the sunflower, the more I was amazed by the depth and breadth of what the sunflower represented, and just how inspiring it was.
The sunflower is far more than a cheery image on a margarine container. Several of my clients when they heard the title of my book, told me of the profound significance that the sunflower had for them.
One brave woman, who had faced enormous challenges in her life, told me about the deep resonance she had with sunflowers. As a result she deliberately cultivated sunflowers in her garden as they represented the hope she had for herself and her life, and not surprisingly she had made enormous strides through her work with me.
Another always carried a sunflower doll around with her, and often wore a jumper with a huge sunflower on the front, as well as surrounding herself with symbols of sunflowers around her home, on her devices etc.The sun is perhaps the most common image chosen by participants to represent the breakthrough they are seeking and how they want to be and feel.
Claire Schrader
Sunflowers and the Fibonacci Sequence
“Sunflowers are more than just beautiful food — they’re also a mathematical marvel.
The pattern of seeds within a sunflower follows the Fibonacci sequence, or 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144… If you remember back to math class, each number in the sequence is the sum of the previous two numbers. In sunflowers, the spirals you see in the center are generated from this sequence — there are two series of curves winding in opposite directions, starting at the center and stretching out to the petals, with each seed sitting at a certain angle from the neighboring seeds to create the spiral.”
From Sunflowers and the Fibonacci Sequence
More interesting sunflower facts:
http://www.spinfold.com/20-facts-about-sunflowers/
http://igentry.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/interesting-facts-about-sunflower.html
Chapter 3:The Power of Commitment
Famous Ex Wallflowers
Justin Timberlake, Johnny Depp, David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Stephen Spielberg, Emily Watson, Richard Branson and Bob Dylan all have experienced in some degree, shyness, being reserved, avoiding the spotlight that have hampered their careers. See more about their individual stories in these links:
Commitment Story
The story of the injured ex-paratrooper who gained so much weight that he could barely walk; but through sheer determination and willingness to fail many, many times, he achieved far beyond what he thought was possible for him.
Chapter Four: The End of the Wallflower
Me as a happy baby before the series of events that made me into a wallflower
I was 13 when this picture was taken – I looked much younger. I can remember this as a painful time
A school photograph when I was 16-17 (far left middle row) Although I was probably not so different from many of the other girls my age, I had no sense of identity. I was acutely aware of how invisible I was. I was dazzled by the confident girls who could just be themselves. I longed to be like them.
Me as a student nurse at Kings College Hospital – middle back. I was full of enthusiasm for nursing – but I soon found I was a square peg in the round hole. I alternated between periods of ill health and depression. Now I am never ill – and I can’t remember the last time I was depressed.
This was probably taken in my nursing days – my confidence was growing – and I was beginning to dream that my life could be different.
AFTER: A photo from the full page spread article on my fire eating act La Dame de Flamme. No longer the quiet, shy girl.
Books mentioned in From Wallflower to Sunflower
The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness
by Prof Steve Peters (Paperback – 5 Jan 2012)
Highly recommended in your journey from Wallflower to Sunflower. Prof Steve Peter explains how your brain works – particualrly the “chimp” part of your brain – and one of the reasons why it’s so hard to make progress. This book will help you to understand and thus overcome the critical voice which is one of the chief enemies of confidence and self esteem.
The Power Of Intention: Change The Way You Look At Things And The Things You Look At Will Change: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
Many authors have written about the power of intention. I’ve read many of Wayne Dyer’s books as well as been to one of his events. The man is a delight and he has helped thousands to change their attitudes. He has now died but his message lives on. Read any of his books and possibilities will open up for you.
Synchrodestiny: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence to Create Miracles
by Deepak Chopra (Paperback – 7 Jul 2005)
This book will also help you to understand why tap into the power of intention – bringing left and right brain together. Fascinating book about synchronicity – something that many people start experiencing when they do my coursed.
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You
by Elaine N. Aron (Paperback – 16 Aug 1999)
Are you highly sensitive? Most of my clients are – and when you are that sensitive it means you haven’t got that tough skin that will enable you to survive the knocks that are an inevitable part of our social interactions with other people. Many people’s lives have been changed by reading this book.
Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life
by Byron Katie (Paperback – 27 Jun 2002)
I mention this book in Bonus 2. Fantastic book if you are stuck in anger, resentment and nay of those overpowering negative emotions. This book will show you a pathway out of this.
Bonus 1
Watch this video whilst doing the commitment exercises or when you need a bit of a boost
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChdpflTAvok
Bonus 3 The Self Confidence Myth
