Plasticity is an intrinsic property of the human brain and represents evolution's invention to enable the nervous system to escape the restrictions of its own genome and thus adapt to environmental pressures, physiologic changes, and experiences.

Two brains are better than one. You've twice the brain capacity and you have two sets of experiences and genes to bring to any challenge.

The trouble is if we take no new steps to try a new challenge, our comfort zone doesn't seem just to stay still, but retract.

In order to stretch ourselves we do need to experience the vulnerability of not knowing the outcome.

After a stroke we can re-learn how to talk, because by practicing we can establish different pathways in the brain, circumnavigating the damaged part.

If you start from a position of I'm a no-hoper, in a paradoxical kind of way you are not risking being vulnerable.

Our emotional map is laid down mainly in relationship with our earliest caregiver in the first couple of years of life.