Nature’s Reminder: Let go of the Old and Nurture the New
Outside my window I can see the beech leaves as they reveal their innate colours of red and yellow. They will hang on a bit longer, looking beautiful in the sunlight, then let go without fuss. It’s a timely reminder for us to declutter as we hurtle three quarters of the way through the year.…
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How to Manage your Emotions
Guess what? You and I are very alike. In fact, we share something in common with every single human on the planet. We all experience emotions. And how do you live with, and manage your emotions? Sure, happiness, joy and excitement are all great. But how do we deal with everyday emotions that are more…
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How to be your own Best Friend
A best friend is always on your side A cheerleader and a supporter. What better than to be your own best friend and support yourself with emotional resilience, courage and kindness? These are qualities you can nurture with mindfulness and self-compassion especially when life feels so stressful or out of balance. There has been an…
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Everyone is your Teacher!
You know the people who press your buttons? They stir strong emotions within you. Everyone is your teacher and there are always learning opportunities! Be curious about your response Sometimes our closest family members or work colleagues drive us mad. But what if you were to be curious about your own response? Focus on you…
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How to unhook from ruminating thoughts
You’ve probably tried before to unhook from ruminating thoughts. You know the ones – the unhelpful thoughts, memories and worries that are insistent and pretty tenacious! They often appear when you’re trying to sleep. Or before you are about to do something big because those thoughts include an inner critic who says you won’t be…
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The Myth of the New You
Do you feel you’re not Being or Doing enough? At the start of a new year it’s easy to look critically at ourselves. We decide that we’re not being or doing enough. All the things that need improvement seem glaringly obvious. We read how everyone else is setting goals for success. When we compare ourselves…
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Transform yourself with Mindfulness
You can transform yourself with mindfulness! Ditch aspects of auto-pilot that no longer serve you and develop your capacity to be more aware and present. Consider that for 95% of the time we behave on auto-pilot. On a daily basis we turn up in our lives with ‘unconscious habits and hardwired beliefs, attitudes and perceptions.’…
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World Kindness Day
13th November is designated ‘World Kindness Day’ This sits fittingly alongside the ‘Children in Need’ charity fund-raising events here in the UK. But you don’t need a ‘day’ to talk about kindness. Every day is an opportunity to experience it and share kindnesses with others. Here are some reminders: ‘Kindness’ is a strength and an…
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Connection is what heals your feelings of separation
It might appear very simple to remember that connection is what heals your feelings of separation. Yet feelings of separation are very common. We feel separate from other people, from what is going on in the world, from our family and loved ones, and even from ourselves. We’ve bought into the great big fat lie…
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Befriend your inner critic
How often does your inner critic push its way into your life and spread fear? Now is the time to befriend your inner critic! What you say to yourself matters You may well say cruel things to yourself. Give yourself a hard time. Believe the negative spin that returns to your mind constantly. This is…
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How your Inner Self gets you through the darkest times
You have an inner self that voices a constant commentary within you night and day! Meditation is a way to spend time with your inner self with its often unstoppable thoughts. Quite understandably, not all of us wish to do this! The Darkest Times and your Inner Self Yet this inner self is the place…
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How can mindfulness reduce your storytelling mind?
You’ve been told stories all your life! So it’s no wonder you, and I, each have a storytelling mind. Easter Holy Week in the Christian Church is a story shared annually while every religion has its own catalogue of rich and inspiring stories. We love watching film and drama and love our daily fix. Advertisements…
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Bombarded by thoughts – let mindfulness help
Do you find yourself with no control over your thoughts? They become overwhelming, unhelpful and relentless. When you are bombarded by thoughts, let mindfulness help! Step 1 Thinking is normal and natural There are no right or wrong thoughts. With mindful awareness, you can notice you’re having these thoughts without judging yourself. This can be…
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You can be a winner with mindfulness!
How can you be a winner with mindfulness? I attended the Mindful Living Show in London in the summer of 2017 and discovered how! It was through Saturday’s Keynote Speech by 2012 Olympic Gold Medal Winner Etienne Stott alongside his coach Katie Warriner, Mental Skills Coach for Team GB. The C2 Canoe Slalom is a…
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The Perfect Time for Mindfulness
The lilies are so perfect … But what in this world is perfect? I bend closer and see how this one is clearly lopsided – and that one wears an orange blight – and this one is a glossy cheek half nibbled away – and that one is a slumped purse full of its own…
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Why should I be kind to myself?
‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind’ To yourself. To others Be kind to yourself Have you noticed that you don’t often apply this idea to yourself? To others, yes, but to be kind to yourself? This might even seem a strange concept – you are getting through your days with a…
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‘I don’t feel good enough!’
Most of us put on a brave front. We push ourselves harder and we keep positive. And yet beneath the veneer of success or mask of serenity that we’ve created, we often don’t feel good enough. Those constant stories A ‘trance of unworthiness’ lies beneath all our endeavours. This is Tara Brach’s term – a…
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3 Ways to Avoid Feeling Bad About Yourself
You’re going about your day when you suddenly start feeling bad about yourself. Do you know that experience? Out of the blue you get one of these strong feelings that you aren’t doing very well. Your inner critic starts bad-mouthing you. Here are 3 common situations and how you can become more resilient in their…
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Have you Listened to Yourself Lately?
Notice what kind of language you use for yourself. Do you treat yourself with kindness and love, or with impatience and harshness? In short, have you listened to yourself lately? Ratio of Positive to Negative Thoughts In her book, ‘The Sweet Spot‘, Christine Carter suggests you become more aware of the kind of thoughts you…
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The Power of Quiet
‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking’ is Susan Cain‘s best-selling publication from 2012. Cain has sparked a huge amount of interest as she highlights the power of quiet. She focuses on fundamental aspects of all our personalities. Are you introvert or extrovert or somewhere in-between? Introverts & Extroverts at…
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Negative Emotions when you Meditate
Negative emotions when you meditate When I teach my courses in Mindfulness and Meditation, those new to it can be surprised or even overwhelmed by the depth of emotions they feel. Quite often you may not know where these emotions have come from and it feels confusing and scary. It’s not unusual to experience what…
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