I have noticed that spending time with a 4-year-old teaches me to be mindful, present and curious. My grandson makes me realise the preciousness and gift of the present moment. He has also taught me to be more curious. Each time I see him, he has changed and grown. He does things slightly differently and…
I did it again. I just fell into the stress and striving trap. Having read Heather’s recent blogs Mindfulness Meditation in the Face of Stress and Mindfulness at Christmas, it made me realise how vulnerable we are to the constant onslaught of life’s ‘stuff’ that can make us react. Since beginning the new role of Communications…
Whether we celebrate Christmas or not, its presence is felt, seen, smelt and heard. If we were an alien, dropped in on earth for a visit, we would become aware of something extraordinary. It is very apparent. It is evident in the streets, in offices, in the shops and on TV. Streets, usually maybe dull…
There are many times in our lives when we become aware of our desires and expectations and how this compares to our reality. Mindfulness training has led me to notice preference and be more acutely aware of the gap between desire and reality. Last week life threw me a profound experience which made me return…
I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to carry on the great work Jane has been doing for the Mindfulness Association. My job share buddy will be joining us in January. Whilst really looking forward to supporting the team and its members, taking over from Jane is no mean feat. She has done an…
Yesterday was my leaving do. I got up early and caught a flight to Manchester where I met the MA team for a celebration of my time at the Mindfulness Association as their Communications and Membership Manager. When I landed in Manchester, I was immediately struck by a bombardment of memories. I have been going…
A few weeks ago, my friend and I were talking about feeling defeated or that feeling that comes when you put your everything into a race, a proposal, a project, a relationship, only to find disappointment, rather than jubilation, at the end. There was a heaviness to our conversation. I might even say a sullenness.…
My friend and I were having coffee the other morning talking about living ‘deliberately’. I know Henry David Thoreau and others have spoken about it, but I have my own meaning. To me, in many ways, to live deliberately means to live with intention or to do things ‘on purpose’, to navigate life so that…
Winter has landed and its mists and tendrils have begun to seep into the corners and crevices of my world. My fire is lit more evenings than not, my relationship with my home heating oil company has been re-established, my morning walk time has been adjusted to accommodate the long nights and I have been…