I was listening to someone this morning talking about old radios and how we used to have to twist a dial to get the station we wanted (those of you of a certain pre-digital age will know what I mean here) and then a lot of the time, twist it again very carefully in order to eliminate interference in the sound and get the best possible quality signal. Then there was positioning the aerial – that was another part of the fun.
I was musing over this well worn phrase the other day.
I’d been thinking of it in a negative context. As one of those who hasn’t won the lottery (yet!), inherited wealth (not on the cards unless I get a call from some far flung shore about an unknown relative) or recently found a load of bitcoins on my harddrive, I’m still in the business of earning my keep!
I love this quote. I put it on my Facebook page a few weeks ago and it really resonated with people. It struck a chord with me, not least because it drew me back to my childhood and how my parents would always say to me “just do your best” (rather than try to be perfect). A good lesson which, in adult life, has helped me go a bit easier on myself when I mess up! Well, usually anyway – I’m not perfect at this 🙂 Continue reading
We all have what I like to call our “autopilot mode” – and it’s usually set to “on”.
It’s robustly self-programmed over the years of our life and it dictates how we usually respond to things.
Our autopilot is very often our friend and helps us act quickly to protect us from danger. If someone throws a rock at me, my autopilot will quickly make me try to duck out of the way! Good autopilot! Continue reading
My Father didn’t have a psychology degree or even a library of well read self-improvement books. What he did have was plenty of dispensable wisdom when it came to most aspects of life. I remember, in particular, him talking to me one evening just before I started secondary school (“way back in the last century”, as my kids frequently remind me!): Continue reading
“I am an old man and I have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened” – Mark Twain
Nice logic Mr Twain. The problem is that most of the time, worry isn’t really the logical thing we might think it is. It’s an emotional response which comes from and feeds stress and anxiety. They make a powerful and (usually) debilitating trio. Continue reading
Have you ever been asked that question? I bet many of us have at some point in our lives. It’s often used as an admonishment when someone thinks we might have got too big for our boots!
I’d like to ask the question in a different way. In a non-judgmental way and as a genuine prompt for us to think about who we are – how do we define ourselves? Continue reading
This week, I’ve started to read a book by Sonja Lyubomirsky called “The How of Happiness”. So far, I’m thoroughly enjoying it – it’s practical, well written and comprehensively researched.
The “Happiness Industry” is a growing phenomenon and it’s easy to find a LOT of information and viewpoints on a subject that’s dear to everyone’s hearts – We all want to be and/or stay happy. Continue reading