Shift from Anxiety to Self-compassion
We tend to be hard task-masters, tough on ourselves. We sometimes view gentleness, compassion and kindness as weaknesses. Does this sound familiar? Our media and the world around us is aggressive and harsh, cruel and judgmental. This further supports the idea that kindness and self-compassion are soft options. Yet a shift from anxiety to self-compassion…
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The Number One Intention to Bring to Your Life
An intention is an aim or a plan. It’s a gentle invitation. Simple yet profound. And this is the number one intention I invite you to bring to your life. Whatever you are experiencing: health issues obstacles failure confusion hopelessness loneliness a wobble in confidence or self-belief you’ve lost your way you’re on the receiving…
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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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Mindful Morning of Peace and Calm
This January you are invited to join us for a Mindful Morning. Gift it to yourself! Set all your worries aside to experience mindfulness, peace and calm. Your Place on Our Mindful Morning of Peace and Calm Your good health is essential for life to run smoothly. Your wellbeing and sense of peace are priceless.…
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How to Feel Empowered
How are you getting on? Whatever turmoil is happening for you personally and globally, you and I are each responsible for our own personal choices. Even if you feel as though life is carrying you somewhere ominous, you can still feel empowered. This is essential to remember. Feel Empowered I like this piece from a…
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Mindfulness is a String of Pearls
Mindfulness is a string of pearls that holds together the best values you might wish to embody: acceptance peace patience gratitude compassion joy love and so many more strong qualities Mindfulness If you practice mindfulness and meditation, it doesn’t mean you shut the world out. It’s not about staying safe in your own little bubble.…
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You and your Lionheart
Your 2 minute recording: Your Lionheart Every breath you take flows through your heart. I like this idea of being connected to your lionheart. It can be a reminder to help you when you feel overwhelmed, timid or anxious. Because ‘Le Coeur’ is French for heart and ‘Cor’ is Latin for heart. Both are closely…
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Don’t Underestimate the Power of Kindness
If you’re feeling disillusioned at the state humans seem to be getting themselves into, how can you stay open-hearted? With the power of kindness! Kindness can truly be powerful and memorable. Oskar Schindler ran a factory during the Second World War. He employed Jewish men and women, thus saving them from death. Thomas Keneally’s book…
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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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A Timely Reminder – Value Yourself
The things I value the most are priceless. As a mother, some of those moments slip through your fingers as you quietly hold the space for your babies and young children to be themselves. You create the space for your children to learn through existence and to play. To care for them at bath-time, share…
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Know that You are Lovable
A paper heart, bouquet of flowers or box of chocolates aren’t necessary signs that you’re lovable. Being in a one-to-one relationship with another person is not the highest bench-mark that you are worthy and ‘normal’. You have goodness in your heart and you’re entirely worthy of love. Your personality, thoughts and feelings are wondrous and…
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The Trouble with Mindfulness Practice
The trouble with mindfulness practice is that you forget! You get immersed in your busy life. The reasons you want to be more mindful are the same reasons that make it feel you have no time for it! Life feels like you’re on a carousel, where whirling thoughts take you round in circles. Or maybe…
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Find your Light through Loneliness
Loneliness It’s a taboo subject – unless you’re referring to elderly people who are lonely, and then it’s ok to talk about it. Whether you live on your own, or you are in a relationship that has no true intimacy, it can feel shameful or ungrateful to say out loud that you’re lonely. No-one who…
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Meditation as a political act
Have you ever thought of meditation as a political act? It’s the difference between being awake and sleepwalking through your life In recent days I’ve turned to Jack Kornfield’s book, ‘The Wise Heart’ especially chapter 22 ‘Tending the World’ as the world is feeling unsettled, violent and hurting. Here, Jack Kornfield talks about the Buddhist…
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World Kindness Day
13th November is ‘World Kindness Day’ and this sits alongside ‘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 offer it out to others. Here’s how: People generally like to be kind. Yet do you…
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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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Do You Become Kinder if you Meditate?
The Dalai Lama is a great advocate for kindness and for meditation. So do you become kinder if you meditate? ‘My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.’ Kindness Let’s start by asking what is kindness? The dictionary states that it’s ‘the quality or state of being kind’ and elsewhere describes it as ‘a…
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Open Your Heart to the World
What do you do when you hear of sad or shocking news from around the world? Difficult news In these instances you might feel helpless. How can you open your heart to the world? Perhaps you have responded in the past by joining Amnesty International, raising money for a chosen charity or giving money to…
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A Stress-free Day with Smiles!
Sometimes you might be experiencing overload at work. You may not always be enjoying your most stress-free of days and smiles may be low on the agenda too. But have a go at this – Try holding a pen in-between your teeth, without lips touching. What do you find yourself doing? Smiling of course! It…
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Be kind to yourself
Do you find it difficult to be kind to yourself? Ill-health I often hear women who give themselves a hard time. They are experiencing ill-health yet express guilt and frustration at their slow recovery. They are used to being loving mothers who wouldn’t dream of telling their child to hurry up and recover from chicken…
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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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