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…
Revisiting relationship lies
Now is the best time to spend some time revisiting relationship lies – after all, what is more important than the relationship you have with those closest to you, especially a partner? The pandemic has taught us to not take anything for granted. We are learning to value each other more, and to tell each…
Are we still showing kindness to each other?
This is the last in a wee series of musings on some basic human values that we demonstrated in bucket loads during the height of the Covid pandemic, as outlined in a Guardian article. The article stressed the need to continue to show these values: respect, patience and honesty. Kindness is the last of them.…
Why honesty is the best policy
I heard a fantastic sketch by Bill Bailey recently. Made MB and me properly laugh out loud, but also made me think wryly about the nature of us Brits when it comes to speaking of our feelings. Bill Bailey’s sketch was about us Brits answering the question: How are you? With Not too bad…” …regardless…
School return, roots and wings and other things
To say this has been a tumultuous week in Scotland within the education sector is an understatement. After the weirdest and most challenging school term anyone has experienced came results day last week for those in higher school education. Emotions run high enough at these times anyway without the added layers of complication and unrest surrounding…
Who’s got your back?
Imagine with me that this week your world has suddenly gone pear shaped. Expected outcomes have not materialised, or there has been failure or disappointment or a dramatic change in direction. In these situations, who’s got your back? These past two weeks have seen a somewhat reflective musing on where our sense of peace is…
What we model to the next generation matters
Over these past few weeks I have been musing here on a series of character traits that I believe are important that we model to the next generation. This all started from this marvelous quote from Carol B Hillman, a professor of childhood education: One of the most important things we can do for young…
There is always a way
Last week I wrote a lot about perseverance. We all face challenging situations that require us to persevere, but it can be hard, exhausting and demoralising. Having a clear understanding of WHY, plus motivation and courage to keep practicing are key. And more than that, having raving fans to persevere alongside us. Trusted folk who…
How do we combat the mess of our world? With a little kindness
The world seems a particular mess just now. The news is full of disasters, anxiety about the future, loss of hope. Aggression and combative arguments among politicians. Reports of high levels of loneliness, record levels of self harming among teenage girls in this country, low self esteem and confidence. Trafficking, slavery, oppression, war, injustice, poverty.…
Happy Valentine’s day, whatever that means to you!
It’s Valentine’s day. Not sure what that means in your house – refusing to give in to commercial hogwash in our house. Celebrating love in February dates very far back indeed. In ancient Rome, mid February saw the celebration of a pagan fertility festival. Two different Christian martyrs, both called Valentine, died less than 100…