Step into Nepal’s current political situation through the eyes of a young, visionary doctor I met during my pilgrimage. Continue reading Nepal’s Unrest Through the Eyes of a Young Visionary Doctor
As the year draws to a close and a new one approaches, we find ourselves at a unique crossroads: reflecting on what has passed and envisioning what lies ahead. It’s a time of transition, rich with the promise of fresh starts and untapped potential. For many, this season inspires resolutions and goal-setting, but there’s another, more visual way to capture our dreams and aspirations: the … Continue reading Vision Board: A Roadmap to Your Dreams
Yesterday on my personal blog, I wrote about why I decided to try Action for Happiness’ Optimistic October challenge. Today, I continue that thread with a look at the benefits of an optimistic outlook, and ways to be more optimistic every day, even during difficult times. The Benefits of an Optimistic Outlook As an optimistic person, I always wonder what goes on in the brains … Continue reading Approaching Each Day With Optimism
A couple of weeks ago, an email popped into my inbox with tips on having productive conversations about climate change. In an increasingly divided world, where the need to be right puts relationships with others at risk, the email was an excellent reminder of the importance of seeking to understand different points of view in all areas of life. The email, from The Carbon Almanac, … Continue reading Tips for Productive Conversations
Happiness is often portrayed as the ultimate goal in life, something we should all strive to achieve and maintain. But what if the secret to happiness is not constant joy, but rather the moments of unhappiness that allow us to truly appreciate the good times? Neurobiologist Indira Raman suggests that our brains are wired to find happiness in contrast—in the shifts between cold and warmth, … Continue reading Why Unhappiness May Be the Key to True Joy
Nowadays, it’s easy to find ourselves running away from the present moment. We often resist what is happening right now, yearning for a different reality, that aligns more closely with our desires and expectations. This aversion to the present and the constant resistance to our current circumstances can lead to immense suffering. But what if the key to a more peaceful and fulfilling life lies … Continue reading Embrace the Present to Alleviate Suffering
Last week, my younger daughter left on an extended work trip, leaving us with no kids at home for the first time in almost 24 years. This prompted me to do some reading and thinking about empty nest syndrome. As I usually do in these situations, I made a list of practical ways to cope with what can be a challenging time for many parents. … Continue reading Coping With Empty Nest Syndrome
Is charitable giving in your plan for the holidays? Many organizations would welcome a gift of your time, talent or treasure. And research shows that helping others is good for you. Read on to learn about the helper’s high and how you can reap the rewards of giving to others. Continue reading Charitable Giving and the Helper’s High
So I just got back from a 2-week trip to Hong Kong. A quick ding dong to say how do you do. I was there to organise several things related to my license that needed sorting. It was the first time I’d gone back since I left my former lover in difficult circumstances over a year ago. It was a very interesting experience indeed. What … Continue reading A Hong Kong Ding-Dong
In our fast-paced world, where self-reflection and personal development have become buzzwords, it’s easy to find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of introspection. We’re constantly encouraged to look inward, understand our feelings, and navigate the labyrinth of our own minds. However, in the midst of this cultural obsession with self-discovery, we may be inadvertently neglecting a crucial element of human connection — outrospection. The Rise … Continue reading Embracing Outrospection in an Age of Introspection Overload
In our rapidly changing world, where environmental shifts and climate change are becoming increasingly prevalent, a new term has emerged to describe the emotional distress that individuals feel when their beloved environments are altered. This phenomenon is called “solastalgia,” and it sheds light on the deep connection between our well-being and the environment. In this blog post, I’ll explore what solastalgia is, its causes, and … Continue reading Solastalgia, the Emotional Impact of Environmental Change
Once upon a time, I knew a man.
I met him at a writing course which he was teaching at Bøler Library.
Today I found out that he has crossed over to the other side.
I felt a strong desire to honour him by sharing a poem he had written.
Continue reading RIP Mr Nils
What On Earth Are You Thinking? What is External Self-Awareness? Most people think about self-awareness the same way they do sex. They believe they’re great at it when, in reality, no-one knows where on God’s green earth the G spot is (or that there even is one). One of the major components for building self-awareness is understanding what other people honestly think about us (including our ability … Continue reading The Three Areas of Self-Awareness: What On Earth Are You Thinking?
What on Earth Am I Feeling? “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” – Blaise Pascal Disconnecting the autopilot is the practise of noticing when you’re distracted and then actively bringing your attention back to the present. But there’s a problem. It’s called turbulence. (Namely, your emotions.) This is what happens when a pilot takes the autopilot … Continue reading The Three Areas of Self-Awareness: What on Earth Am I Feeling?
Procrastination means postponing, setting aside what we should do today to a hypothetical tomorrow. Who hasn’t done that at least once in their life? Studies revealed that procrastination affects one in five people. It could concern only some areas (for example study or work) or all the actions of one person. What is procrastination? Steel’s 2007 studies tell us that procrastination must be considered a … Continue reading Why Procrastination Is One of Our Internal Enemies, and How We Can Fight It
“The harder we try with the conscious will to do something, the less we shall succeed. Proficiency and results come only to those who have learned the paradoxical art of doing and not doing, or combining relaxation with activity.” – Aldous Huxley Drown-Proofing When it comes to our psychology what’s happened is this. Our hands and arms have been bound together, and we’ve been thrown … Continue reading Stalling: Why Letting Go Is the Key to Regaining Lift
From a specialist point of view, emotions can be defined as a response that originates following the activation of specific brain circuits and manifests at the organic, behavioral, and cognitive levels. They play a crucial role in regulating mood, motivation, and behavior. Emotions are often linked to body reactions. I am sure you have heard the idiomatic expression ‘butterflies in one’s stomach’, that defines a … Continue reading Why Learning to Recognize and Understand Your Emotions is Important for Your Wellbeing
I would like to express my gratitude to you all for being affectionate readers, and active participants to Wise&Shine’ blog life. Without you, my posts on Wise&Shine would have been a box full of words but without emotions and sentiments. To conclude this year, I would like to share with you the lyrics of one of my favourite Christmas songs, Fairytale of New York by … Continue reading Happy Holidays!
When Micheal Jordan returned from the NBA after an extended hiatus his publicity manager was unsure how they should announce the news. So, he wrote a number of press releases for Micheal to choose from. But Jordan didn’t like any of them. He said, “I’ll do it myself.” before picking up a pen and writing down the following message, “I’m back.” That was it. The … Continue reading I’m Back
My emotions come at me in waves. Often I’m strong enough to withstand them – to hold the ship steady – but every now and then they catch me with my shields down. I’m swept away. That happened the other day when the movers came in to pack everything up. Seeing my whole life packed into boxes. That was difficult. But the hardest moment came … Continue reading The Ghosts of My Past
