Hi Reader, I went home for a few days recently. My family home. My parents still live in the house I grew up in. It is a house filled with memories, and love. The same chair where I sat on my Mums knee as an infant, that I now sit in with my daughter when we visit. The dining room where my family shared Christmas meals after opening gifts. The bedroom I shared with my older sister. Every square inch of the house is crammed with memories. As is the village it is located in. And going there I...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, When I became a parent I was given one piece of advice that I found particularly useful. Never compare your child to others. As a first time parent it can be easy to question your own methods. And by comparing your child to others, conclude you are getting it wrong. But as we know, every child is different. So I chose not to compare mine to others, particularly for significant milestones such as crawling, walking and potty training. And I let my daughter proceed at her own pace....
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, As we develop and age, much of our behaviour becomes habitual. The statistics for just how much vary greatly, but at least half of our actions seem to be driven by habit. And the implications of habitual behaviour are greater than you may imagine. As such, it is important to make a conscious effort to foster good habits. A bad habit that seems trivial now could be devastating should your circumstances change. When placed under extreme stress, there is a tendency to rely on...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I give a lot of thought to the first article of the year. Not everybody enjoys the festive season. It has been described as a magnifying glass, amplifying our feelings. Some find the experience euphoric. For others it brings melancholy. But the new year offers an opportunity for change. And I want to encourage you to embrace it. None of us are on our own. No matter what your beliefs, know that there is something greater than you at work. Given the complexity of life and the...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Sometime ago a friend suggested I read Confucius to help me find the answers I was seeking. I haven’t found it an easy read, some points require consideration, but that’s as it should be. And on some points I disagree. But that is also perhaps ok. Shouldn't we always make our own evaluation? We have been gifted with free will. As long as we beg to differ with respect, no harm is done. But I clearly remember the first statement that struck a chord with me. 'To attack a task from the...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, It has been a very challenging couple of weeks. Watching the events of the world unfold. And escalate beyond comprehension. My energy has been directed elsewhere. As a result I find myself with little to say. Which is most unusual for me. I like to have several articles ready, or in progress pending further consideration. But this week, none seem to be appropriate. Instead I have chosen to share a brief interchange I had on social media. A journalist I follow created a post...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, The poet Robert Frost said ‘the best way out is always through’ in his 1915 poem, A Servant to Servants. This is often quoted as ‘the only way out is through.’ I am unsure if he actually said the second version, but it is a more succinct way of sharing an important truth. And is attributed to Frost. Human beings are capable of incredible mental strength. But we have all at times fostered a reluctance to face the truth of our situation head on. Instead, we sometimes use our energy...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I watched a stand up show the other night. It was the latest offering on Netflix from Ricky Gervais. During the show he commented on the likelihood of humanity destroying itself in one of many ways. It disturbed me because it was delivered in a matter of fact way. Like it's inevitable and almost preferable. And that kind of attitude is gaining traction. It's as if we have given up, accepted our inability to affect change, and are just plodding on to oblivion. He went on to say the...
12 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, The impact of all actions can be cumulative. That includes thought. Cumulative actions increase in quantity by successive additions. And the greater the frequency of repetition, the more impactful. We all know this. The more you practice something, the better you get at it, and the greater its impact on you and others. Practice makes perfect. But do you fully acknowledge how this impacts your life? The effects of any mindset we allow to endure become cumulative. Negative mindsets...
12 months ago • 1 min read