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
Parenting is rewarding. Parenting is worthwhile. It’s the greatest thing you’ll ever do. Some people would give anything to be able to conceive so count yourself lucky if you can have children. I’m sure these were things I heard in relation to being a parent, possibly long before I actually… Read More »Is it me or does parenting suck?
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)
Remaining positive despite the relentlessness of it all Upbeat at 5:30am after another night of disturbed sleep. Staying upbeat despite a head pounding with the pressure. Determined to remain positive although I’ve got to keep it together today. I know I’m the one who has to keep a cool head… Read More »Upbeat Thinking – How To Stay Positive By Training Your Mind
Feeling near death bringing forth life “Help me!” she screamed “I need it now! Please… help!” The screaming continued. I could just about make out the words amid the gargled noises as my wife thrashed about on the hospital bed. My second son was attempting to make his way into… Read More »On Birthdays: Why you should feel more enthusiastic about them
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
Seeing in 2009 Challenging negativity can take many forms. Just over a decade ago I saw in the New Year in a yurt in some woods in Gloucestershire. It was a great party. People danced, drank, smoked and had far out conversations. One conversation has stuck with me all this… Read More »Challenging Negativity
Decision making This year poses problem after problem. This year feels like decisions are heavier than they should be. This is what my decision making process currently feels like: There’s an out of control freight train running down some railway tracks. It is bulky and the engine has caught fire,… Read More »On Equality: How can we bring about a more equal society?
Prayer’s place in the human psyche Saying one’s prayers and the act of praying in general is something that an increasing majority of people in the UK are giving up doing (if church attendance statistics are anything to go by). Even many church goers who attend for socio-cultural reasons may… Read More »Prayer compared to Meditation: Dealing better with Ourselves and Others
Survival Mode for the Pandemic This is about survival. The time to start thinking differently is now. We each need to put in place routines that help us to cope with what is going on. Psychologically speaking, this is different to anything we have experienced before. We are going to… Read More »Some initial thoughts on the Covid-19 Pandemic: Surviving the Lockdown
Goal-oriented thinking Times have been harder recently. The ups and downs have come thick and fast. I have had to do some deep thinking contingency planning, especially in the last two months. Luckily there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I am close to enjoying the emergence… Read More »Goal-oriented thinking and Tracking Progress