Why Compassion Is More Important Than Empathy
Let’s start with the differences between compassion and empathy. I always felt sorry for anybody that was homeless and suffering. I felt like I could feel what they were feeling. I had empathy for them. But what difference did that make? I wouldn’t donate because I thought they would spend the money on alcohol. I […]
EP8 – How to Control Your Thoughts and Enjoy Inner Peace
So you like to know how to control your thoughts? Hey there! Ever found yourself lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, with a mind racing faster than a Formula 1 car? You’re not alone! Controlling our thoughts can be as tricky as herding cats, but it’s crucial for achieving that oh-so-desirable state of inner […]
What Is Healthy Control? Zen, Stoicism, and the Art of Letting Go
Control. A word that hums with tension, tugs at the soul. We’re conditioned to seek it like thirsty wanderers in a desert. But what happens when control starts to control you? It’s time we discuss the power dynamics in your own life. Are you genuinely empowered or are you ensnared in an illusion of control? […]
3 Ways to Deal with Overwhelming Emotions
We all struggle with our emotions. A two-year-old has a tantrum because they cannot have something they want in that moment. And equally, a 40-year-old will struggle with feelings of anger over a situation they cannot control.
What’s the difference?
I remember back when I was around six years old, my parents were being incredibly unreasonable and stopping me walking 3 miles alone to the gas station to claim my free Smurf toy. At the time when you refuelled the car you would be given tokens which you could then trade in for little Smurf characters. They were amazing, I already had 10 and I wanted another.
The Easy Way to Practice Gratitude
Without a doubt, the number one way to live a happier life is to practice gratitude. But why is it so important, and if it’s simply ‘appreciating what we have’, then why do so few people do it?
We become so focused on what we want, what we don’t want, and what we haven’t got, that we miss out on everything we do have. For weeks we desire a new item we’ve seen in a shop or online, we save our money or find a way to get it. When we finally get it we feel great, opening the item and enjoying this nice new experience we’ve looked forward to.
Three weeks later, everything is back to normal and we no longer spare a thought for this inanimate object that gave us such delight and pleasure just a few weeks ago.
Over-dramatic? Maybe a little? No, I don’t think so.
What is an easy way to practice gratitude?
Happiness IS a state of mind! Let me explain why
Look, someone once told me, “Happiness is a state of mind.” My initial response? A loud internal, “Oh, bollocks!” So, I’ve spent my whole life choosing to be miserable, have I? Determined to make this teacher eat their words, I dived headfirst into unravelling the enigma that is happiness. The Endless Search for Joy Are […]
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness seems to be the latest buzzword, but what is mindfulness? Is it really so powerful it can help with depression, anxiety and even improve your health with just a few minutes a day? According to Google mindfulness is ‘a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and […]
Why I’m giving up on my search for happiness.
I mean it. After years—decades even—of relentless pursuit, I’ve decided to give up on my quest for happiness. Why? Let’s delve into a story that sheds light on this crucial decision. The Streetlight Effect: Searching in the Wrong Place Picture this: A woman is walking home just after the curtain of night has fallen. She […]
The Raw Truth About Moving On: Burn Your Ships
The Unthinkable Command of Hernan Cortes When Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador, set foot on Mexican shores with 600 soldiers in 11 ships 500 years ago, he issued a command that boggled the mind: “Burn the ships.” In a war situation where his soldiers were severely outnumbered and should’ve been doomed, they prevailed. How? By […]
Do Mind Movies work?
Before I answer that question, here is a very short story but it is important and relevant to the answer to the question; Do Mind Movies Work? Three years ago, I was going through an extremely difficult time. I had just become single which was only part of the problem. If you have 30 seconds […]