LIVING WITH PURPOSE

A few years back I embarked on a grueling challenge to climb the tallest mountain in Europe, the Mont Blanc. Being physically fit was never one of my strengths, yet I was motivated by the idea of experiencing something completely beyond my comfort zone. The final accent began at the crack of dawn, after an unsuccessful attempt to catch some sleep in a remote mountain refuge. Exhausted and nervous, coupled with pain from the previous days’ thoroughly challenging excursions, I

No one likes stress. We do our utmost to avoid it. Stress is when competing forces are in a state of clash. It undermines our innate disposition, which naturally always seeks alignment. What causes this misalignment? How do we overcome this? Like most things, its origins are subtle. We want to help someone else, but we are thinking about ourselves. We would like to resolve a disagreement in a relationship, yet we expect any reconciliation to revolve around us. We like to be k

What is the cost-benefit ratio of giving a compliment? Most people would no doubt agree that it’s pretty high. Singing the praise of a friend, highlighting a good trait of a colleague or to simply say thank you for a good deed done. The human need for appreciation is profound. That ‘feel good’ rush for the recipient is enormously underrated. One’s spirit is completely lifted as a result. And what does it cost? In real terms, nothing. So why then is it so difficult? As is ofte

Society is becoming more aware of bullying and its detrimental consequences. Its negative impact affects all demographics and can manifest itself in a wide range of ways. It can take place in the workplace or within a family dynamic. But perhaps no setting could be as dangerous as amongst young children and their peers. It is at this critical developmental stage when bullying can cause serious damage to a child’s emotional and mental wellbeing. But why would someone want to b

We all experience moments when random thoughts or questions pop into our heads. Some are superficial, others seem to emerge from a deeper place. In the current climate, where the world has been compelled to slow down, coupled with an uncertain future, questions of a more profound nature are challenging our rhythm. Upon reflection however, this represents a unique opportunity. So much of our lives are profoundly influenced by social pressures. The way we behave, the friends we