We all have to eat to survive, that much is clear. But if we are seeking to build a more meaningful life is it not worth spending a bit of time reflecting on what role food plays in this, given it’s something we’ll need to be doing everyday for the rest of our lives? For … Continue reading
My eight year old daughter will occasionally come downstairs in the evenings, unable to sleep because, as she puts it, she “can’t stop thinking about dying”. When this happens we hold her, we talk, we dry her tears. We reflect on what an amazing mystery life is and how no one really knows for sure … Continue reading
Meaning happens within a context and being well orientated to that context is crucial if we are to live our lives as meaningfully as possible. Let me explain what I mean. Orientation is a function of the mind and involves awareness of three dimensions: time, place and person. People can become disorientated for various reasons … Continue reading
Mindfulness is EVERYWHERE these days. McMindfulness I have even heard it called by some. But what is mindfulness and what part might it have to play in leading a more meaningful life? What is mindfulness? At any given moment there are an almost infinite number of different things, often sensory, that we could choose to … Continue reading
Buddhism is variously described as a spiritual tradition, a religion and a philosophy. Now I can’t possibly do justice to the ancient wisdom of Buddhism in a short post like this. And I in no way want to distort or dilute these ideas. But as a psychologist I have been astounded at the psychological insight … Continue reading
Loneliness is one of the greatest scourges of our modern times. There is no doubt as to its insidious effects. But might there be benefits to sometimes choosing to be alone? And what part might this play in our search for a more meaningful life? To be able to be with ourselves, and just ourselves, is … Continue reading
As I described in Part 1, your values are what is important to you, what matters to you, what you care about. They are a set of guidelines or standards for how we want to live our lives. You may not have really thought much about them before – most people haven’t. Often it’s only … Continue reading
‘Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many’ – Anon What do I know about ageing? I’m not even 40 yet, so is it really something I’m qualified to have an opinion about? Well I do know a few things. I know that I now consider the term ‘Happy Birthday’ to … Continue reading
“This above all: to thine own self be true” William Shakespeare Whilst working in an NHS adult mental health service as a clinical psychologist I was once referred a man with depression. Let’s call him Peter. Peter and his wife had chosen not to have children and instead had pursued … Continue reading
It’s seems to me to be part of human nature to at some stage question the point of one’s life, and even whether or not it is worth living. If and when this time comes for you, there is something I want you to think about. I want you to consider the virtually infinite number … Continue reading
