I found myself wandering the lonely aisles of the early morning supermarket the other day. Somewhat distracted, I added bits and bobs to my trolley. When I got to the checkout, one of the items I’d picked up (a bundle of breakfast bars for the kids) wouldn’t scan. ‘There’s no barcode,’ said the lady at … Continue reading Kindness at the checkout: Can I interest you in some good feelings with your purchase today?
Personal Growth
Making Progress, One Step at a Time
When I started this blog, I wrote a lot about my over-thinking tendencies. They were part of what drew me to writing, and I thought they were part of me. I’d grown up being told I was a worrier, and my personality certainly seemed predisposed to worrying, so worry was what I did. I worried … Continue reading Making Progress, One Step at a Time
Ditch Diving in a Dress: a Countryside Adventure
I’ve been spending too much time at my desk lately. The hellhound’s forlorn glances spurred me into action last week with a long walk across the fields. I’d planned my circular route, which involved the big dangly carrot of a stop at my favourite countryside café for lunch. Forty minutes into the walk I hit … Continue reading Ditch Diving in a Dress: a Countryside Adventure
Trying hard or hardly trying? there’s a time to push and a time to allow
I’ve made it a rule to live by that I don’t try too hard. That’s not to say that I don’t put in effort, but slow and steady has been by mantra these last few years and it seems to be serving me pretty well. Once upon a time I was the person that got … Continue reading Trying hard or hardly trying? there’s a time to push and a time to allow
Thoughts from Retreat
It’s been a couple of weeks since my shamanic retreat and I’m feeling good. This particular retreat was a foundation course, teaching how to journey and how to connect with our dreams. Support The retreat took place in an amazingly supportive atmosphere. Despite not knowing anyone before the course started, it felt like we’d all … Continue reading Thoughts from Retreat
Back from retreat: re-retreated?
I've retreated from my shamanic retreat. What a lovely few days it was. Lovely is a bit of an understatement, but I'm at a loss for words to describe it. It goes something like this: People: 'So how was it?' Me: 'Good, yeah, really good.' [Change subject] The problem is, it's quite hard to describe … Continue reading Back from retreat: re-retreated?
Lightbulb Moment: claim your voice
Dr Gladys McGarey is a 102 year old medical doctor and pioneer of holistic medicine. I listened to her chatting with Elizabeth Day on the How to Fail podcast while I was walking the hell hound (our new affectionate term for the dog, inspired by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's Good Omens) and there was … Continue reading Lightbulb Moment: claim your voice
Small Wins: Cheat Codes for Life
I was listening to a phone in on the radio last week. The presenter was inviting people to call in with their reactions to a caller whose morning alarm clock goes off in ten minute increments a full two hours before he has to get out of bed! “What kind of lunacy is this?” I … Continue reading Small Wins: Cheat Codes for Life
Fed up with all the obligations? Try I want to, not I have to.
We’ve been a busy family lately. It seems like we’re all being pulled in different directions. My husband is working away a lot, my son has more school activities than my fried brain can keep up with and my daughter is approaching the teen years with all the accompanying social butterfly-ness and sleepovers. I’ve been … Continue reading Fed up with all the obligations? Try I want to, not I have to.
Giving ourselves permission to stop and smell the roses
I’m not sure why so many of us feel the need to justify doing the things we really enjoy. We cram our hobbies, our family time, our self-care around our should’s and have to’s. Every break we give ourselves is hard won by lots of hard work before (and after), and no one can doubt … Continue reading Giving ourselves permission to stop and smell the roses
Rae Cod’s Writing 