Yes, it’s that time of year again!
The start of a new year inspires us to reflect on all that happened in the previous 12 months and set our intentions for what we truly want to create in the year ahead. But it is difficult to stick with and good to know that we are not alone (more…)
The secret of happiness is to savour the moment we are in. Because this moment is really the only time any of us have to see the sky, to hear the birdsong, to smile or hug someone, to say a kind word, to smile at a stranger, to love with our whole hearts, to live our precious lives. The past is over, the future may never come but this moment is ours to be in as we choose. (more…)
Despite all our best intentions to avoid the pitfalls of the season – stress, tension, resentment, sadness, loneliness, anger – we may end up failing. What do we do then? when everything feels like it has fallen apart and we are such a mess?
As human beings, our evolutionary need to survive means we pay more attention to negatives or anything that we consider a threat than to the good and beautiful parts of our lives. This is called the negativity bias. We scan the past and future looking for problems (more…)
I come from a very generous family. Any of my siblings would give me the shirt off their back if I really needed it. I’m not really sure why! Certainly, it’s one of my Mom’s great legacies; she used to recite endlessly, “It is better to give than to receive”. But, it has to be more than that… (more…)
“not an absence but a presence; not emptiness but repletion. Silence is something more than just a pause; it is that enchanted place where space is cleared and time is stayed and the horizon itself expands… (more…)
Our bodies like to move and we feel better and more energetic when we are active. Feel good chemicals are released in our brains, we let go of tension, alleviate anxiety, stress, irritation and fatigue. (more…)
Most people are so identified with their thinking mind that they don’t question the validity of their thoughts. They think they are the story their mind is telling them. One of the most liberating insights participants of a Mindfulness course gain is that they realise their thoughts are just thoughts and that they are not ‘me’ or ‘reality’. (more…)
Have you ever noticed how kindness changes an experience completely? Maybe, someone took care of you sometime when you were sick… just a soothing touch, a gentle tone, a kind word. Compassion can make even pain or difficulty bearable. (more…)
Difficult and stressful things are part of life. We may want the ‘ideal’ Christmas but often the reality is different. How we deal with these challenges makes the difference between adding to or reducing our frustration and suffering. (more…)
Many of us are busy writing our Christmas list now. So many jobs to do: presents to buy, people to see, cards to write, cooking and decorating to do… (more…)
We all want to be happy. It’s natural yet so often we look for happiness in all the wrong places, we just get swept along, especially at Christmas. The season of peace and goodwill inadvertently becomes a time of over indulgence (more…)
THERE IS A chill and a sparkle in the air and an aroma of pine leaves. Leaves of trees are piled on footpaths, wistful romantic tunes jingle – “I’ll be home for Christmas”, colourful lights twinkle, people bustle. (more…)
We all know Christmas can be the most stressful time of the year. But, it doesn’t have to be.
In fact, it can be a time to really enjoy and savour good company, loving relationships, delicious food, fun and laughter, inspirational music. (more…)
This video shows some of the benefits from Mindfulness at work
Kristin Neff speaks at Ted Talks about ‘The space between Self Esteem and Self Compassion’. She explains how Mindful Self Compassion trumps self esteem without the downside and is a healthier way of relating to ourselves. Research shows that self-compassion boosts happiness, self confidence, optimism, creativity, gratitude and reduces anxiety, depression, perfectionism, body shame, fear of failure and satisfying relationships. Click to learn about a Mindful Self Compassion Course >
I think the reason so many people find Mindfulness ‘liberating’ and ‘life changing’ is that they develop the tools to become more self aware and manage their emotions better. One of the biggest insights that participants tell me about is that they see (often for the first time) their freedom to choose their response whatever the circumstances or event.
For most of the people I see, the workplace is the most stressful place in their lives.
Pressures are constant. Many work long hours, are overwhelmed with information overload and the demands of technology, have to meet tight deadlines, make complex decisions (more…)