Introducing Patience and patience – part 1

This autumn, I met Patience twice. And I suspect that you’ll need some patience to get through this article, which for the purposes of yours, I’ll split into two parts, especially as the first is a simple story of slapstick insignificance. Patience 1 The first Patience is my wonderful friend Tara’s (of Wildfitness fame) housekeeper … Continue reading Introducing Patience and patience – part 1 →

A Frank(lin) guide to self-improvement

Benjamin Franklin was by all accounts a fairly prolific character. His modest resume includes, being a founding father, an author, a printer, a scientist, an inventor, a soldier and a diplomat. In his time aboard planet earth, he invented the lightening rod, bifocals, a stove. Many of us are plagued by an overwhelming plethora of … Continue reading A Frank(lin) guide to self-improvement →

Simple vs ‘smart’, why advertising is the new heroin

This morning, feeling slightly fluey and wanting to take it easy on myself, I picked up a copy of GQ Magazine, a magazine that promises to help me ‘look sharp and live smart’ that is read by ~1m every month globally. A closer reading of that catchphrase might indicate that vanity is something to be … Continue reading Simple vs ‘smart’, why advertising is the new heroin →

Simplification and your perfect day

A perfect day, with friends, deep on Hampstead Heath... Here’s a little exercise or for you, dear reader. Not, I should add, the type of exercise that convinces self-help junkies they are minutes away from enlightenment. Nor one that has the slovenly amongst us feeling droopy-lidded. Instead, an exercise that should be fun… Try to … Continue reading Simplification and your perfect day →

The greeneration gap

You don't necessarily need an expensive MBA or a degree in environmental sciences to learn about social and environmental responsibility. In fact, many could learn from school children armed with about $17. One of my favorite quotes I was lucky enough to hear in person. It was imparted by one of my favorite people -- … Continue reading The greeneration gap →

The Story of Stuff (part 2)

You’ll be relived to know that this is still the well-buttered/battered computer in action. In the last post, I didn’t even have to bang on about the environmental rationale behind keeping this old beast alive – it makes sense, even before I have to leap into the pulpit. But for those of you that like … Continue reading The Story of Stuff (part 2) →

The story of more stuff (part 1)

The computer I’m tapping away on has seen better days. As a result of a couple of butter-fingered moments, it’s sporting some curves that the designer never intended. As a result of a couple of more literal butter-fingered moment, pointing to no-doubt fascinating points, the screen is more colourful than it should be. Plus it’s … Continue reading The story of more stuff (part 1) →

The Most Valuable ‘Self-Help’ Course Ever (Yet It’s Free) – Vipassana

Earlier this year I did a 10-day Vipassana silent meditation retreat and wrote a blog post on Bright Green Talent, which I wanted to share again, because even 6 months on, it continues to have a powerful effect on the way I think: Vipassana one of those things that I was a little coy about … Continue reading The Most Valuable ‘Self-Help’ Course Ever (Yet It’s Free) – Vipassana →

Ancient Futures

I’ve just finished Ancient Futures, by Helena Norberg-Hodge, a truly magical snapshot of a culture that has, until recently, lived in almost perfect symbiosis with its surroundings. It is a true manifesto for simple living, demonstrating how simplicity can and has brought about happiness in communities. It describes the balance needed to afford contentment and … Continue reading Ancient Futures →

Inconvenient truths, convenient actions

My latest simplicity thoughts, picked up by Greenbiz and Greenopolis, here: If we want a billion people to act, we have to make a billion people want to act. The inconvenient truths are increasingly recognized, now we need convenient actions. We're constantly reminded that many of our planet's environmental problems stem from our relentless desire … Continue reading Inconvenient truths, convenient actions →