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 […]
True Leadership: Who Do You Really Owe?
“I wish I could say I didn’t owe anything to anyone, but the truth is I wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for the courage and support of each and every one of you.” Now, that’s not some wisened guru speaking. It’s Jack O’Neill from Stargate, and yes, I’m a sucker for the show. […]
A Lesson in Gratitude: The Power of a Simple “Thank You”
How I Learned the Impact of “Yes” Farnborough Air Day, 1992: a landmark in European aviation and a pivotal moment in my own journey. I was six months into my new life as a quadriplegic, still in the hospital and absorbing the seismic shifts in my day-to-day experiences. It was a sweltering summer day, my […]
The Timeless Wisdom of “Think and Grow Rich”: Lessons for a Modern World
Napoleon Hill’s classic, “Think and Grow Rich,” is far more than a self-help guide to financial prosperity. It’s a detailed analysis based on Hill’s 25-year study of successful individuals. Reading it is like entering into a conversation with the best minds of past generations, and once you begin, you can’t help but keep turning the […]
Your Influence on the Universe: The Power of One Small Act
The Existential Crisis: The Weight of Insignificance We’ve all felt it, haven’t we? That gnawing sense that in the grand scheme of the universe, our lives are but a flicker. A momentary blip on the cosmic radar. The idea is vividly captured in the first chapter of Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History Of Time,” which […]