Cant catch a break? Try this. Unexpected, unprecedented. Resetting and refocusing. A kind of a break, and a new start of sorts. Three and a half weeks without my young family’s constant needs was just what the doctor ordered. Only, I didn’t know it until the opportunity was thrust upon… Read More »1 Tip to improve everything: Take an actual break
Why philosophy books though? I’ve come to realise that the only paper books I hold onto these days are philosophy books. I have never been a voracious reader but for some reason I have accumulated nearly a library on things related to Zen. This includes the topics of Buddhism generally,… Read More »Best Zen philosophy books for beginners
A nearby temper tantrum Today, I witnessed a horrendous tantrum. I was waiting in a queue to pay for lunch at Thatcham garden centre café. I had my two young children there with me. As I was keeping an eye on them clinging to my legs, I heard an awful… Read More »Learning from children: adopting a playful attitude to life
If only I could give out medals for services to my life. I would award Lex Fridman ‘Most Informative Podcaster’ for his excellent work interviewing a wide range of public intellectuals. He consistently puts out thought-provoking and intriguing episodes. His work rate is phenomenal. The discussions themselves are deep. The… Read More »On being bothered: Do you recognise your zone of control?
I’ve been thinking a lot about perspective recently. On this day, exactly one year ago we picked up the keys to our new house. With this we increased the hope of a better life ahead for us. Not that life had been particularly troublesome for us up until that point.… Read More »The Power Of Your Mind
The first Breakdown of the Day Communication matters. This was it. This was dinosaur day. A trip up the A34 to Oxford to the Museum of Natural History. Mostly to indulge my three-year-old’s current mega obsession with all things prehistoric and lizard-like but also to find a renowned cake shop.… Read More »On Communication and Stress (dealing with family days out)
Up and at ’em Today I woke up less then pleased. It was 5am, still dark, and the three-month old was bright and breezy. He was making his cute little utterances that are beginning to resemble vowel sounds. It wasn’t the early hour which annoyed me. It wasn’t the need… Read More »On Responsibility: The Importance of Social Support
Again and again At this point I feel my life is going round in circles. I’ve just finished another book on productivity, come to make notes about it and seen notes from the last two books I’ve previously read on productivity. Needless to say, their sentiment is the same and… Read More »Can you be content and yet motivated for change?
Finding the Human Spirit during the American Election The Human Spirit is something to be recognised. It is something to behold. Examples of it can be found in the most unlikely of places. Yesterday morning I watched the entertaining anchors on CNN attempt to bruise each other’s egos during their… Read More »On the Human Spirit: Inspired by Josephine Baker
Every Day is a Good Day I look deep into the eyes of my son and I see my likeness. It is a moment of joy, of perfection. He is happy here and I am happy to be in his presence. The now tired plastic rocking horse lies cast aside… Read More »Every Day is A Good Day: How a little bit of Zen can help lift our mood
An idea for what people believe At present, I find myself blessed by recent weather, and still mostly a man of well-balanced leisure time. In light of this, I have taken all of the opportunities available to get out and enjoy the outdoors before the UK winter really closes in.… Read More »On belief: Do people believe in their ideas or reality?
Pearce’s Main Project David Pearce is the main proponent of The Abolitionist Project which aims to alleviate suffering from all sentient beings. The notions look interesting, the ideas grand. Pearce’s position entails that it is not just desirable to remove all wordly suffering. It will one day be a certainty.… Read More »On David Pearce and the Abolitionist Project