Someone said that in the spiritual life you are always at the beginning. I wish that I had taken that phrase on board earlier in my life. If I had let myself be an eternal beginner, I think I would have had a lot less anxiety. Instead of expecting to Read more…
I did not like my grandmother. As a matter of fact, I actively disliked her. She was in her eighties when I knew her as a little girl. Through my eyes she was old, and ugly, and mean, and selfish, and where ever she was, she seemed to bring trouble. Read more…
I went to a creative writing group recently. It was a lovely change being a participant rather than the facilitator of the group. It was a different kind of engagement. Not that I don’t like leading groups, it’s just that the change did me good. I savoured the relaxed feeling Read more…
Most of us have experienced times where we sincerely regret pressing the send button or taking that tricky phone call when feeling emotionally triggered. I know I regularly wish that I could go back in time and delete the heart to heart I had when over tired, hungry or worse yet, tipsy.
I believe it is possible to be compassionate and caring to myself and others at the same time. It is a dynamic interplay, and with patience and awareness, it can become a liberating habit. (more…)
I began writing songs about 20 years ago when I was doing my Masters at QUT. Originally I wrote them to use in workshops where I taught self-esteem building skills to women. I used to call them ditties; short catchy tunes with easy lyrics to remind the participants of content in our workshops. (more…)
When processing the incoming information about the world around us, it seems that we each experience the world through our own perceptions and beliefs. I do wonder however, how much of what we believe and perceive is based on a weaving of ideas copied or borrowed from those around us; our parents, teachers, peers, clergy, politicians, media etc. (more…)
According to Ralf G. Nichols, the highly regarded communication scholar, the most basic of all human needs is to be understood and to understand others, and the best way to understand another is to listen to them.
I believe that most of us yearn for someone to be interested in us, and to pay us undivided attention as we express ourselves. It seems that for many of us, being seen and heard validates that we exist, that we matter, so it makes sense that we crave this kind of connection and understanding. I know that when someone is really there for me and listens with care and curiosity, I feel a deep warmth and gratitude. I feel a part of something bigger than myself and feel connected to the world around me in a comforting way. (more…)