Watching a programme on television recently about a day in the life of a busy Accident and Emergency department, I am moved to tears by the heartfelt and earnest opening remarks of an A and E consultant: …tell your loved ones how much they mean to you because you never know what is going to…
The regret of losing touch with good friends
Are there people in your life, precious friends once upon a time, that you have lost touch with? Losing touch with good friends is on the list of death bed regrets, up there with living true to ourselves and not spending too much time at work. Think about someone who you might have fallen out…
To encourage takes courage
These past week have brought several unexpected encouragements from often unexpected quarters or at unexpected times. None of them were sought, they just popped out at me in passing, as if to say: Hey, you’re doing OK and I love who you are becoming.” Equally, I have had the opportunity to encourage or have affirming…
Inspire the dream
What was your dream when you were little? Maybe to be an astronaut, or a professional footballer or a film star. Perhaps something more pragmatic – my cousin always said when he was young that he wanted to be a lollipop man because you didn’t start work till you were 65. So funny. It is…
On being kind – kindness matters
Last week I was musing on the importance of taking time each day to pause and reflect. This is useful time – time to be still, to reflect on how we are and therefore what we might need. To acknowledge what we are thankful for, to notice where we have been present that day to…
We need to talk about death
Do your loved ones know what to do when you die? An arresting start this week, perhaps. But this has been on my mind and the subject of many a conversation over these past dark, difficult and exhausting weeks. We need to talk about death. Our family member who died did so suddenly and completely…
A sudden and unexpected turn of events
We never know how our lives are going to turn out. We think we know this, and yet how often do we live without paying sufficient heed to the reality of this, thinking that we actually have control over what we plan to do? Last week saw our wider family suddenly and very unexpectedly experiencing…
Giving kindness away this Advent
I have been encouraging all of us to think about a different kind of Advent calendar this year. The focus of our Advent calendar this week is giving kindness. Nothing new or original there of course. Lots about kindness here and here. Important stuff about kindness during the Covid pandemic, and kindness when our world…
A different kind of Advent calendar
Is there an Advent calendar in your house? Perhaps if not in your house, then consider if you had one as a child, or think of children you know who might well have an Advent calendar. What happens when you open the door? Chances are, you receive something – a wee gift, chocolate, or the…
Could you live without your phone for a day?
Last week I posed the question: how do you respond to having a tech free day? Let’s look more at the specifics of that, because what I am really asking is: Could you live without your phone for a day? In my work as a life coach, what I do most is ask people questions.…