Congratulations, you’re very ordinary. As I sit and write this, I overlook a tropical lagoon, mangroves and a few fishermen warming in the morning sun. A few energetic swifts wheel in a faint haze – evidence that despite the dry red earth and cloudless skies, the baked earth breathes life each day. I am perched … Continue reading Intra-ordinary
Category: Happiness
How Many People Could You Call At 3am? On Richness
I read this article today, where Jeff Haden explains some of the reasons why you aren’t happy. Before we start, tweet the author and tell him his article made you a little happier if you like it. That would be nice, regardless of whether you agree with what I write below @jeff_haden The article made me … Continue reading How Many People Could You Call At 3am? On Richness
Just You
I read a good post from Zenhabits this morning, which nicely juxtaposes my last. If there were one habit or skill that he would focus on, it would be learning to be happy with himself. It rang true. Is there anything as important as learning to love who you ARE? Not what you might, could, … Continue reading Just You
King Con(fidence)
They say that confidence is everything. Yet our ability to manipulate that confidence is also very powerful. Alastair Campbell wrote a beautiful piece recently which explores his struggle with the beast of self doubt. Surprising, given most of us assumed he had unwavering self-belief. Confidence is often a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we doubt ourselves, our … Continue reading King Con(fidence)
Simply Solitude
Like many a seeker I found, lost, found and ultimately lost myself in Dharmasala. I remember thinking that if I was to get a tattoo at that time, as a 19 year-old is want to, it would have been of a traveller with a cane over his shoulder, with all his worldy possessions tied into … Continue reading Simply Solitude
B-Town, Simplicity and Authenticity
I’ve been in Berlin now for all of three weeks, so this may well be premature, but this city seems to embody simplicity so much more than London. I’m moderately hard on London in my posts. I wonder whether this is because it was the city I grew up in and, therefore, an expression of … Continue reading B-Town, Simplicity and Authenticity
Simply Getting Used
I’ve been working reasonably hard recently. My body, not used to such unfair punishment, has been complaining. After a day in front of the computer and on the phone, my neck, my back, my throat and my free-spiritedness hurts. Yet after a couple of weeks, I’ve noticed the pain, or perhaps the realisation of the … Continue reading Simply Getting Used
Underdeveloped Development – Simple Mistakes
For over a century the 'mazungu' (or white person) in Africa has been losing his temper with the inefficiency of the African. Even today, I’ve witnessed continual annoyance as things go wrong, or directions aren’t followed, or patience is tested. All too regularly, frustrations are voiced aggressively. On a micro level, this constitutes management – … Continue reading Underdeveloped Development – Simple Mistakes
Simple Happiness Signs
When life is good, there are signs. No, I’m not referring to limping parking wardens or free canapés. Instead, I mean the signals that indicate that you are happy. What are these signs in your case? Can you make a list of them? Perhaps you sleep better, with fewer anxious dreams? Do you laugh until … Continue reading Simple Happiness Signs
Clean Up Your Relationships – Inter-Personal Hygiene
No, I’m afraid this post is not about armpit whiffs and sheets-to-sniff – instead I’ve recently been introduced, by my good friend Tara of Wildfitness fame (and a Watamu neighbour), to a process that helps with some therapeutic friend-realignment. You see, we often roam around with people we love. But how often do we tell … Continue reading Clean Up Your Relationships – Inter-Personal Hygiene
Simpletom 