Hi Reader, What is it you want out of life? Many of us have considered what we would do if we won the lottery. While the acquisition of financial wealth alone is not a measure of success, money is unquestionably essential in life at this time. And required to aid some of our aspirations. But do you consider the progression of your spiritual path to be a measure of success? A spiritual path relates to thoughts and beliefs, enabling personal growth and fostering a connection with something...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, A very good friend of mine works in the education sector. She is perfectly suited to the work as she is extremely wise and patient. They are both traits I have associated with her since I first met her, and she embodied them even then, during our misspent youth! One of the wisdoms she shares with her students is that you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it. I have always loved that counsel. It is attributed to the renowned Stoic, Epictetus....
17 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, For my main occupation I am an arborist. It’s my job to arrange for the inspection of trees in order to manage them appropriately. Trees are remarkable, self optimising structures. A direct product of their genetics and environmental stimulus. And when left to their own devices, can live for tens, hundreds and thousands of years without issue, supporting literally thousands of other life forms on one individual tree. When we plant or encompass trees in urban settings, conflicts...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, As of today, the Focus on the Light Newsletter is going out weekly. I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to send me positive feedback. It’s heartwarming to know that the newsletter is well received. My intent to help others by sharing wisdoms. They are not my wisdoms. As Mark Twain once said: "There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope." I am not sure I agree with that...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, I was recently given this to share. Work hard at forgiveness. I have been giving it a lot of thought. We have all been hurt or wronged, and we have all inflicted suffering on others, to a lesser or greater degree. Acting in ways that do not best represent ourselves. Who among us can say we have never hurt another through thought, word or deed? In such instances, we naturally wish for forgiveness. Just as we should forgive those who harm us. And although the act of forgiving can be...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, You will likely be familiar with that saying in reverse. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. In other words, at the appropriate time in your development, a teacher or a truth will become apparent. This well-known quote is commonly associated with Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Though more important than who said it is that it was said, and holds truth. However, there is as much truth in the reversal. When the teacher is ready, the student will appear. What I...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, The topic of this month's newsletter has been much debated in my head. Given the time of year, I wanted it to be relevant and helpful. As I detailed in my first edition, my intent is to help people. By sharing what I have learned and what I am given. So here goes. The festive period, including the start of a new year, can be challenging for many reasons. And you can find yourself plummeting from content and focused, to despairing and lost. Those days or moments when the thought of...
4 months ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, At my secondary school, there was a teacher called Mr Robson. He was a fearsome character yet much respected. So, when he took to the stage at our daily assembly one morning, we listened intently. It was unprecedented. Mr Robson spoke of the importance of honesty and accountability. He gave an example of being given too much change in error in a shop, and keeping the extra money as if we had won a prize. It was a perk, we deserved it, just fortune smiling on us. But, it was still...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Welcome to my first newsletter. A successful writer I know told me the best way to build an audience was to: Write consistently and hit publish. You will soon find out if people are interested in what you have to say. So here goes. Yesterday, I got a comment from a troll on social media. It upset me hugely. I am a ‘live and let live’ kind of soul, so the whole trolling thing escapes me. If you haven’t got anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. My website and newsletter...
6 months ago • 1 min read