How to Be Strong
Jon Kabat-Zinn says “If you are truly strong there is ...
Satisfaction and Wellbeing
Wellbeing is as much about outlook as it is about objective health or money in the bank. We have unfettered control over our outlook, our take on life, and how we navigate its tragedies and triumphs. Wellbeing may be a rather abstract concept, because it is difficult to pin down and intensely personal, but it is because of this that we can have personal control over our sense of wellbeing.
How to Be Happy
In a December post I said that on New Year's day I would reveal my answer to the question that has tantalised mankind for all of recorded history. It was not a joke, but it was also only as serious as you are able to make it. Most people will reject it because most people seem to prefer their (known) misery, to the possibilities of (unknown) freedom. Like a lot of this wellbeing stuff, what you have to do to find happiness is simple, but that doesn't mean it will...
7 Steps to a Happy New Year
'Happy New Year' can become a mantra. Saying it is one thing, meaning it another. Maybe a better reminder would be to wish each other a 'Purposeful New Year'. Have a good one, and however you say it, make sure you believe it.
Attention is the Secret Ingredient that Connects us to Ourselves
I have been trying to think of a way to say "Watch this inspiring video" and explaining it without sounding like one of those 'Thought for the day' type of things on the radio. After several false starts and going round in a circle or two I came up with "Watch this inspiring video if you want to have something you already know confirmed". Read more for a taster.
Positive Thinking vs Thinking Positively
Positive thinking is well intended but often simplistic and misguided. At its worst it can seem dismissive and uncaring, at best it might orient the thinking in a flashy superficial way. Learning to think positively on the other hand is a life skill that reaches the parts the positive thinking cannot reach.
Slow Never Used to be Bad
There is nothing wrong with being slow, but we seem to have uncritically assigned slowness to the ranks of the undesirable. Associated with this is the idea that boredom should be avoided at all costs, but that is a big mistake. By assuming that boredom is a bad thing we risk losing something vital to our growth and development.
Take Your Time Today
Check this list of popular sayings. They have become popular ...
Mental Health Stigma and Wrong-Headedness
Everybody has some psychological difficulties at some point in their lives. Mostly we cope and manage these in silence. But 25% of us will not manage so well. We'll reach a point where we could really use some help. But most won't ask for it. Held back by wrong-headed beliefs and fearing the attitudes of those around them, they will soldier on and suffer alone. Sometimes, as we know, this has dire consequences. We can all do something about this, here are a couple of possibilities.
Learning from Nature
There is nothing new in taking lessons from the natural world, after all our species has been doing is for ever. We all know, at some level, where to go when we seek healing or solace. We instinctively turn to nature – through walking, travel, or just sitting in the park – when we are troubled or when we are getting over something. So why wait until our spirit is broken before we decide to fix it? Being mindful of our surroundings is a habit anyone can develop.
